Premises Liability Lawyer in Washington, DC

Under the concept of premises liability, the owner of a property is required by law to maintain safe conditions for anyone visiting that property. If someone visiting or using a property becomes harmed in any reasonable way due to the property's unsafe conditions, then the fault will be the property owner's.

This liability requires that the property owner be held financially responsible for the medical bills that resulted from an accident on their property. Specifics of liability may vary depending on the type of property involved in the accident, the severity of harm, and the amount of neglect of responsibility from the property owner.

If you believe that the harm or injury you suffered on someone else's property was the owner's responsibility, then you should speak with our Washington, DC premises liability lawyers as soon as possible. We are skilled in negotiating settlements with property owners, tenants, and insurance carriers, but if that fails, we are prepared to take your case to court. We offer our legal services to residents in the DC and Northern Virginia areas.

DC Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Lawsuits

Washington, DC law dictates that the statute of limitations for premises liability claims be the same as it is for any other type of personal injury claim. These types of cases require that an individual suffering a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence file their claim with the court within three years of the accident.

This three-year window to file a claim is the same whether you are seeking compensation for a bodily injury or for damage to your personal property.

While the three-year statute of limitations applies to almost all premises liability and personal injury claims, there may be other factors in your specific case that extend this amount of time. The only way to know for sure is to begin a conversation with an experienced premises liability lawyer in Washington, DC as soon as possible after the date of the accident.

Filing a Premises Liability Lawsuit in DC

The District of Columbia is one of the few areas in the nation that uses contributory negligence law. Under this law, a plaintiff's negligence, even as little as 1%, can completely bar any recovery. Our legal team understands DC premises liability laws and can provide expert legal guidance on how to proceed with a lawsuit. If you were injured or had personal property damaged on someone else's property, you have a few different options for who you can file a premises liability claim against. Typically, you will be able to sue one of the following:

  • The individual or organization that owns the property,
  • The individual or organization that leases the property,
  • The individual or organization that currently occupies the property, or
  • The individual or organization that currently has control of the property.

In some situations, multiple individuals may be liable for the damage or injury that occurred on the property. Speak with a premises liability lawyer in Washington, DC to see who is likely liable in your own situation so that you can move forward with suing the right party.

What Does DC Consider a Burden of Proof in Premises Liability Lawsuits?

To prove that a premises liability lawsuit in Washington, DC deserves compensation, your lawyer will have to prove the following:

Duty of Care Owned
The defendant was at least partially responsible for maintaining the property's safety at the time of the accident.

Duty of Care Breached
The defendant neglected their responsibility to maintain the safety of the property, resulting in injury or personal property damage.

Causation for Damage
There must be a clear connection between the neglect of the defendant and the damages suffered by the plaintiff.

Damages Suffered
Personal injury or property damage can be proven in relation to the defendant's lack of responsibility or care.


Contact Our Washington, DC Premises Liability Lawyers

Call Dash Injury Law Firm today at 888-(DASH-LAW) or complete an online contact form for a free consultation.

The information contained in these pages should not be taken as a substitute for legal advice and it is in fact not legal advice, especially as to cases which are highly fact-specific.