Premises Liability Lawyer in Macon, MO

Premises liability lawyer in Macon, MO. If you were seriously injured because a property owner or manager was negligent, you deserve a full financial recovery. Call the Macon, MO personal injury lawyers of Burger Law at (618) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

If you were injured because someone else was negligent in Macon, MO, see what the value of your claim may be by filling out our free personal injury calculator.

If you were injured by a dangerous property condition, get medical attention right away. Then, speak to Burger Law. Our firm has over 30 years of litigation experience getting maximum compensation for our clients in Macon, MO. You did nothing to deserve being injured, but with our dedicated team and extraordinary level of legal advocacy, you can be made whole again. The decision to hire a premises liability lawyer is a big one; you only have one opportunity to get a full financial recovery for your injuries. You deserve it, and we will demand that you get it. To date, we have gotten over $200 million in verdicts and settlements for the injured in a wide variety of personal injury cases. Let us handle the legal battle so you can focus on your physical recovery. Reach out to a Burger Law Macon, MO premises liability lawyer today at (618) 500-HURT for a free case evaluation.

Acclaimed Premises Liability Lawyers Know How to Win

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your claim is crucial. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases and who you know will not back down from a fight. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to look at the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers. The numerous awards, honors and accolades Burger Law has received from our peers include:

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a noteworthy achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all attorneys in the U.S.
• Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Honor — Members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor only given to 1 percent of attorneys in the United States.
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers Honor — Selected to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only award that is made up of the most qualified lawyers in each state.
• Board Certified By the National Board of Trial Advocacy — Board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.

Any premises liability lawyer can say they know how to handle your case, but having a proven track record of success is another matter entirely. Some of our recent premises liability case victories are:

• $1.435 Million Settlement Against Three Defendants For Deck Collapse That Injured Couple
• Widow in ATV Accident Settles with Property Owner – $600,000 Settlement
• $400,000 Settlement in Employer Sexual Assault Case
• $350,000 Settlement in Ladder Case
• $300,000 Settlement for Slip and Fall Case
• $270,000 Settlement For Construction Site Bike Accident
• $250,000 Slip and Fall Settlement
• $250,000 Settlement in Icy Slip and Fall Suit
• $232,000 Workers’ Compensation Settlement
• $150,000 Settlement Days Before Trial
• $125,000 Slip and Fall Success
• $125,000 Settlement in Trip and Fall Case
• $125,000 Settlement in Auditorium Fall
• $120,000 Settlement For Gateway Arch Worker Injured on Tram
• $117,500 Slip and Fall Settlement
• $0 to $70,000 in Parking Lot Injury Case

What Are Missouri’s Premises Liability Laws?

Pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute §537.348, “possessors” of a premises, meaning whoever owns it or controls it typically have a duty of care to take reasonable precautions to protect visitors from dangerous conditions on their property. This includes carrying out regular inspections to identify and correct any dangers, and providing adequate warning of any known hazards.

Examples of a known hazard are:

• Wet spots on floors that are not mopped up or are not marked with a warning sign
• Potholes
• Loose railings
• Unsecured flooring
• Unsecured cables
• Broken steps
• Broken or malfunctioning doors
• Snow or black ice
• Uneven walking surfaces
• Poorly designed or maintained playground equipment
• Poor building craftsmanship
• Insufficient lighting
• Falling debris
• Broken locks or negligent security measures
• Pools without barriers or lifeguards on duty
• Vicious animals
• Poor electrical wiring

How much responsibility the property owner or manager owes you depends on why you were on the property. Missouri law differentiates between three types of visitors:

Invitees

Invitees are people that are on the premises for business purposes, for example customers in a store or attendees of a amusement park. Because invitees are there for the possessor’s financial benefit, they are owed the highest duty of care.

In Harris v Niehaus (857 S.W.2d 222, 225 (Mo. banc 1993)), the Missouri Supreme Court decided that a possessor has a responsibility to keep invitees safe from both known risks and ones that they would be likely to notice on inspection.

An invitee can also be someone on property open to the public.

Licensees

A licensee is someone that is on the property with the consent of the possessor, but either for their own benefit or the benefit of neither. Common examples include social guests, a utility company employee performing work on your property, someone you let hunt on your property at no cost or someone stopping into a restaurant only to use the bathroom. In Wells v. Goforth (443 S.W.2d 155 (Mo. 1969)), the Missouri Court of Appeals decided that owners or managers only have to address any dangerous conditions they were aware of. Their duty of care to licensees does not include regular inspections or due diligence.

Trespassers

A trespasser is someone who enters a premises against a possessor’s wishes. Because the the trespasser is not supposed to be on the premises, Missouri Revised Statute §537.351 states that owners owe no duty of care to trespassers, although there are a few exceptions:

• Under the attractive nuisance doctrine, property owners have a duty to protect children from things that might be enticing to a young child, even if the child is trespassing. Examples of an attractive nuisance include swimming pools, trampolines, abandoned wells or high-voltage power lines.
• If a property owner or manager knows or should know that trespassers are often on the premises, they must warn of any potential hazards, assuming the dangerous condition is not clear.
• A property owner or manager can be held accountable for injuries if they purposely create or maintain a dangerous condition meant to harm trespassers, or intentionally harm a trespasser, except when using justifiable force to “repel a criminal trespasser.”
• If a possessor knows of a trespasser’s presence, they still owe a duty of care when carrying out “active operations.”

Generally, if you are an invitee or licensee, you have to act as the possessor would have intended to seek compensation. If you are sprinting through a mall and hurt yourself, you likely do not have a claim.

If you do not know what type of visitor you were at the time of the accident, your knowledgeable premises liability lawyer at Burger Law will answer any questions you may have for free. Speak to a premises liability lawyer in Macon, MO about your injuries immediately at (618) 500-HURT or fill in online form.

Do I Have a Premises Liability Claim in Macon, MO?

Not every injury on somebody else’s property results in a valid premises liability claim. It is your Macon, MO premises liability lawyer’s job to investigate and then prove your claim. In order to prove your premises liability claim, you need to prove:

• That the property owner or possessor owed you a duty of care,
• That the property owner or possessor was aware of, or should have been aware of, a hazard,
• That the property owner or possessor breached their duty of care by not mending the hazard or warning against it, or that the attempted solution did not sufficiently fix the dangerous condition,
• That the dangerous condition caused your injuries.

You can prove that the owner or manager should have been aware of the problem through employee depositions or a record of previous complaints other people made about the same issue. In 1998, Dennis Emery sued Wal Mart Stores Inc. (Emery v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 976 S.W.2d 439 (1998) after he slipped on spilled pet food. A Wal-Mart employee testified to the high frequency of pet food spills at the store, proving that Wal-Mart was knew about the dangerous condition.

Insurance companies fight back hard against premises liability claims. They may try to blame you for your injuries, or say that the possessor did not owe you a duty of care. A knowledgeable premises liability lawyer in Macon, MO like those at Burger Law will not let them get away with it. If you have any concerns about the validity of your claim, speak to a premises liability lawyer immediately at (618) 500-HURT.

What to Do After Being Injured on Someone Else’s Property in Macon, MO

If you sustained a premises liability injury, there are things you should do to ensure both your health and the success of your premises liability claim:

• Seek medical treatment — This is the most important step as it will ensure that you can heal properly and your injuries are documented. You not only need to get healthy, you need to have documentation so you can receive a financial recovery for all of your damages.
• Document the incident — Take pictures of the accident site and any hazards that may have led to your injury. Talk to people who saw the accident, and get their names and numbers so your premises liability lawyer can reach out to them later.
• Report your injuries to the property owner or manager — Any business will have a manager on duty you can report the incident to. You do not have to give many details, but make sure the business knows what happened. If the accident occurred at someone’s home, tell the homeowner or tenant.
• Keep detailed records — Keep detailed records of all medical bills, documentation of lost wages, any property damage and any communication with the property owner or their insurance company. A well-documented case will make it easier for your Macon, MO premises liability lawyer to build a strong case.
• Do not trust the insurance adjuster — Do not say anything on record without speaking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters often ask injured people to give recorded statements.. They may also try to convince you that they do not have to pay for pain and suffering, lost wages or medical treatment after six weeks – do not believe them.
• Do not accept a lowball offer — Do not sign any documents before meeting with a premises liability lawyer first. The first offer will be low, and if the insurance company says they cannot offer anything else, they are lying.
• Contact Burger Law — We take on hard cases and stand up to insurance companies every day. You did nothing to deserve your injuries, and you deserve the fullest possible financial recovery. When we agree to take on your case, we start defending your rights immediately, and we manage all the legal aspects of your case for you so your can focus on healing.

Resources to Help With Your Premises Liability Case in Macon, MO

Most of our clients have never had to seek compensation for an injury before, and are not sure how to proceed, or even how to the right attorney for their case. Fortunately, we have literally written the book on the essential questions for a personal injury claim, which you can download for free below.

We also provide a variety of other free resources on our website.

• Missouri Personal Injury Resources
• How a Lawsuit Works
• Legal Glossary for Personal Injury Claims
• Legal Podcasts
• Premises Liability Blog

Types of Premises Liability Claims We See Most Often in Macon, MO

At Burger Law, we have gotten great results in a variety of premises liability claims in Macon, MO, including:

• Slip and falls
• Inadequate security
• Claims against restaurants
• Assault and sexual assault
• Elevator and escalator accidents
• Fire and smoke injuries
• Grocery or retail store injuries
• School and daycare accidents
• Claims against bars and restaurant
• Claims against landlords
• Claims against hotels
• Swimming pool accidents
• Amusement park accidents
• Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances
• Dog bites and other animal attacks

If you were sustained a premises liability injury, you need to be compensated, no matter the circumstances. We will ensure you get it.

What Compensation Can I Recover in My Macon, MO Premises Liability Claim?

When you file an injury claim with the help of your premises liability lawyer, you take the first step in being made whole again. As somebody injured through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation, called damages. You can recover both economic and non-economic damages:

Your Macon, MO premises liability lawyer will help you collect any of the following damages that apply to your case:

• Medical expenses, which cover urgent care visits, physical rehabilitation, assistive devices such as braces, operations, transportation to and from appointments and medication.
• Lost wages for money you lost out on because you were too injured to work.
• Lost future earning capacity if your injuries result in long-lasting disabilities that do not allow you to make a living in the way you are accustomed to.
• Pain and suffering, which compensates you for the physical pain and emotional anguish of having to deal with your injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries result in disabilities that limit you being able to live the life you want to live.
• Other damages; if your accident resulted in disfigurement, PTSD or other economic damages like having to hire help with household chores, we will fight for you to recover those damages as well.

As your premises liability lawyer, our job is to stand up for you get you the full compensation you are owed after you have been injured one someone else’s property. We are here to fight back against the tricks insurance employ use to avoid paying and insist on nothing but the true monetary value of your claims.

What If My Injuries Are Partially My Fault?

The insurance company may try to claim that you are responsible for your injuries; you should have been paying better attention, or you were behaving foolishly. While your premises liability lawyer will defend you against against this tactic, in some cases it may be true that you share part of the blame.

According to Missouri Revised Statute §537.765, Missouri is a “comparative negligence” state. That means you can still receive compensation if your injuries were partially your fault, but the amount will be reduced by the percentage of fault you share.

For example, if you have $100,000 in damages, but you were 30 percent to blame, you you can recover $70,000.

In addition to premises liability, other claims we take on in Macon, MO include:

• Truck Crash Lawyers in Missouri
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Missouri

Hire Burger Law

Speak to a Premises Liability Lawyer in Macon, MO Today

Premises liability claims, although not as well known as high-collision auto accidents, it can still result in devastating injuries that have a great effect on your mental, physical and financial health. You do not deserve to be in this situation, but you do not have to go through this alone. Your Burger Law Macon, MO premises liability lawyer will stand by your side and fight for you for as long as it takes. Call Burger Law today at (618) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free consultation and to start on your path to being made whole again.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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