You expect a store, apartment complex, parking lot, and public building to be reasonably safe when you go into them. If a property owner neglects to address hazards, warn visitors, or maintain the property, accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. North Carolina law provides a means to hold the responsible party accountable and recover compensation. These claims must be thoroughly investigated with the help of a Jacksonville, NC, premises liability lawyer.

Advocating for injured people across Jacksonville and the surrounding communities is our passion. Our law office is familiar with the Onslow County Courthouse, so our legal team is invested in the local justice system and driven to provide the representation you need. We blend personal counsel with a thorough understanding of liability law in North Carolina so that you can seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
Premises liability, a subset of personal injury law, holds property owners accountable for accidents and injuries that occur on their property. A premises liability claim arises when a person becomes injured because of a business, homeowner, landlord, or other property owner’s failure to provide reasonably safe conditions on their property.
Slip-and-falls are probably the most common type of case, especially among older citizens aged 65 and older. Every year, more than 14 million seniors experience falls, affecting 1 in 4 older adults. Though falls do not always lead to injuries, older adults, medical treatment, or one-day activity restriction followed 37% of their falls.
Although slip-and-fall accidents are the most common type of case, there are many other hazards that can result in a premises liability claim, including:
The main issue in each case is whether the owner knew about the hazard, should have known, and did nothing to correct the problem. If this inaction leads to an injury, then the injured person may have a claim.
North Carolina’s premises liability laws are mostly defined by state statutes, which set out deadlines as well as the limited duties owed by property owners. The majority of injury-related premises liability cases must be brought within three years.
The property owner’s duties are also defined by certain statutes, such as those that set out limited liability for landowners who make their property available for recreational use and those that control liability for injuries by vicious dogs. These statutes create important guidelines for bringing and proving a premises liability case in North Carolina.
If you’ve suffered an injury on someone else’s property, it’s important to act quickly and thoughtfully to protect your claim. Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor, and make sure any accident is reported to the property owner or manager. Take photographs or videos of the hazard at the scene, record witness names, and track medical treatment and associated expenses.
Never provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters or sign any documents without legal advice, since minor errors can harm your case. Swift action enables evidence preservation while creating an event timeline that aids in securing rightful compensation through North Carolina legal channels.
When you hire a premises liability lawyer, it ensures your case is managed professionally and aggressively. An experienced Jacksonville premises liability attorney can investigate the accident and gather all the evidence you need to build a strong claim.
They can communicate with insurance companies, navigate complex North Carolina statutes and deadlines, and shield you from defenses like contributory negligence. With the right legal guidance, you maximize your potential compensation and peace of mind while avoiding common pitfalls.
North Carolina premises liability law requires property owners to take responsibility for dangerous conditions on their property that lead to injury. Property owners must exercise reasonable care to prevent injury to visitors. The injured person must show that a dangerous condition existed, the owner knew or should have known about it, and the condition caused the injury. Claims have strict time limits.
Damages in a premises liability case in Jacksonville, NC, will vary according to how severe your injuries were, the costs of medical bills and lost wages, as well as your pain and suffering and permanent injuries. There is no standard payment amount for these types of cases because each situation must be evaluated on its own specifics.
The time to settle in a premises liability case can range from a few months to a year or more. Cases in which liability is clear and the damages are relatively minor, can often be resolved quickly. However, cases involving complex legal issues, serious injuries, government-owned property, or disputed liability may take longer to settle.
North Carolina is a strict contributory negligence state. This means if you are determined to be 1% at fault for your injury, you may not be able to obtain compensation. The majority of states have a comparative negligence standard. In a premises liability case, the property owner and his or her insurer will often argue that you were careless in how you acted and caused the accident. This is why it is important to have an attorney represent your case.
When you visit a property, you expect a level of safety when you are there. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and individuals are injured due to unsafe conditions on the premises. When this happens, the property owner may be liable for your injuries. Christina Rivenbark & Associates can help you in this legal process. Contact us today for more information.