Portsmouth, VA Premises Liability Lawyer
- Last Updated: 23 Oct. 2025
As a guest on someone else’s property, you should expect a reasonable level of safety. Property owners can be legally liable for damages when they fail to address a hazard and their negligence causes an injury.
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we are committed to seeking justice for injured Virginians. If you have been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, our Portsmouth premises liability lawyers can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free case review.
Find Out What Your Case is Worth
On This Page
- Why Choose Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers for Your Portsmouth Premises Liability Case?
- What Counts as a Premises Liability Case in Portsmouth?
- Residential and Commercial Property Injuries
- Available Compensation After a Portsmouth Premises Injury
- What You Need to Prove in a Premises Liability Case
- What You Should Do Now After an Injury on Someone’s Property
- How Our Portsmouth Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help
- Contact a Portsmouth Premises Liability Attorney Today
Why Choose Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers for Your Portsmouth Premises Liability Case?
When you need a premises liability accident lawyer in Portsmouth, Virginia, you deserve a local team that knows its businesses, property standards, and insurers. Our experienced attorneys pair personalized, responsive service with the resources to investigate hazards, preserve evidence, and push back when insurers try to shift blame. We understand when a case needs to go to trial and, if necessary, will diligently prepare for your court date, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Our strong track record of success speaks for itself; our recent premises liability case results include a $400,000 recovery for a hotel guest injured due to hazardous property conditions. Whether your injury occurred at a home, apartment complex, grocery store, or restaurant, we’ll build the strongest possible case and pursue full, fair compensation on your behalf—even when property owners or businesses deny responsibility. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay a fee unless you win.
What Counts as a Premises Liability Case in Portsmouth?
A premises liability claim is a legal action against a property owner for injuries sustained on their premises. This covers a wide variety of scenarios, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Injuries from falling objects
- Accidents in parking lots or stairwells
The common thread is an injury that can be directly linked to a hazardous condition on the property and the owner’s failure to take reasonable precautions.
Residential and Commercial Property Injuries
While all property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises, different rules exist for homeowners, landlords, and businesses. Liability depends on who is responsible for the property and whether they acted negligently.
For example, landlords must maintain common areas, such as stairwells, hallways, lobbies, and parking lots. However, if the incident occurred inside a tenant’s property, the landlord may not be liable unless they had previous knowledge of the issue and failed to address it.
Given the complexity of premises liability, plaintiffs benefit from having an experienced attorney. For instance, if a victim fell on a broken stair inside an acquaintance’s apartment, a lawyer would typically look for evidence that the tenant notified the landlord of the problem. The plaintiff may have a case if documentation shows that the landlord did nothing.
Available Compensation After a Portsmouth Premises Injury
If you have a premises liability case, you may be entitled to recover damages for economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages cover out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages compensate you for less tangible losses, such as pain and suffering. If you lost a loved one in a premises liability matter, you may also qualify to file a wrongful death case.
In Virginia, you may be barred from bringing a death or injury case if you are found to share any fault, as the state follows the strict contributory negligence rule.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is different, so the compensation you may receive will vary depending on several factors, such as the severity of injuries, medical expenses, and lost income. To pursue a fair amount for your accident, consult one of our experienced premises liability accident lawyers in Portsmouth. We will make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table.
With our quality legal representation, personal injury clients across the state of Virginia have been compensated the following amounts:
- $6 million for a veteran rendered paraplegic by a fall
- $400,000 for a hotel guest injury
- $275,000 for a mother who tripped and fell at a Hampton Roads business
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What You Need to Prove in a Premises Liability Case
Like any personal injury lawsuit, premises liability cases depend on proof of negligence. Negligence is present if evidence shows the following elements.
- The owner had a duty of care: The property owner must have a legal obligation to protect the plaintiff by taking reasonable precautions.
- The owner breached that duty: The owner failed to correct or warn about a dangerous condition that they knew or reasonably should have known about.
- The breach caused an injury: The plaintiff must prove that the property owner’s action or inaction led directly to the harm they suffered.
Presenting strong evidence is key to winning a Portsmouth premises liability case. Documentation such as witness statements, medical records, and photos of the scene can help you link your injuries to someone else’s negligence.
Timelines for a Case
Each state limits the time for a victim to file a personal injury lawsuit. Virginia’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury, with limited exceptions.
If the statute of limitations passes and you have not yet filed, you will likely not be able to sue at any time in the future. It’s important to act quickly and contact an experienced Portsmouth premises liability attorney to protect your legal rights.
What Could Hurt Your Premises Liability Claim
Lack of notice and contributory negligence typically weaken premises liability claims.
Lack of Notice
We understand gathering evidence may not be your top priority when you’re injured. However, proving notice can be much more difficult if you fail to report or document the hazard, as the burden of proof falls on the injured party. When you work with our premises liability accident lawyers in Portsmouth, we’ll use maintenance records, surveillance footage, and witness statements to overcome that defense wherever possible—working to ensure your claim remains viable.
Contributory Negligence
Virginia follows pure contributory negligence, which means if you are even 1% at fault, you cannot recover compensation for your injuries. Insurers know this and often attempt to pin partial blame on injured people to avoid paying. Our role is to push back fast by preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, and using experts where appropriate to demonstrate you did not share fault and protect your claim.
What You Should Do Now After an Injury on Someone's Property
After an injury on private or business property in Portsmouth, take these steps—and let Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers handle the legal and insurance work while you focus on recovery.
- Report the Incident: Contact the property owner, manager, or business and ask them to submit a written incident report. Then, call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation—we can take care of the rest.
- Seek or Continue Medical Attention: Your health comes first. We’ll gather your medical records and ensure your injuries are properly documented.
- Document What You Can: Gather evidence, including photos, videos, witness names, and even a journal tracking your pain or missed work. Share this information with us; we’ll secure any additional footage or documents.
- Limit Insurer Conversation: Insurance companies often contact victims quickly after an accident, hoping to get them to accept a low settlement—or none at all. Don’t give recorded statements or sign any releases; refer all insurance calls to our team.
- Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer Promptly: Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers will investigate your case, preserve evidence, and safeguard your rights while you focus on healing.
Questions about whether you have a case? Call (757) 333-3333 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Our Portsmouth Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help
Our premises liability attorneys in Portsmouth have the experience and resources to investigate your property injury scenario, including premises conditions and business history if relevant. We can gather evidence and source expert testimony to build your case and argue the defendant’s liability.
We handle all communication with insurance companies, including negotiations, and are ready to go to court if necessary. Whether you have a slip and fall case or any other premises liability matter, we’re here to help.
Contact a Portsmouth Premises Liability Attorney Today
Being injured puts you in a vulnerable position, especially when you need to face down a property owner with a powerful insurance company behind them. Our attorneys are here to guide you through the claims process and fight for your rights.
Don’t face your injuries alone; let our team advocate for you. Call (757) 333-3333 or contact us online for your free case evaluation.
Find Out What Your Case is Worth