If you’ve been injured due to a property or business owner’s negligence, our dedicated Williamsburg premises liability lawyers offer decades of experience and an understanding of both Virginia premises law and the specific layout of our historic city to help you seek justice.
Why Choose Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers
Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers has over 235 years of combined experience fighting for injured individuals across Virginia. While widely known as The Car Crash Experts, we focus on may areas personal injury law, including premises liability cases. We have recovered millions of dollars in case results, earning national recognition as Super Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia.
After a slip and fall or other accident on someone else’s property or business, we provide compassionate support, exceptional service, and meaningful outcomes to help you get through the tough times that follow an unexpected injury.
With meeting locations throughout Hampton Roads, including nearby Newport News, trusted legal support is never far away. Our attorneys can also visit you at home or the hospital for a free case review. If you decide to work with us, there is no upfront cost, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
“Outstanding services provided! I was devastated and startled with the whole accident, but Cooper Hurley experts answered every question I had along the way and got me a very good settlement for my injuries. I’d definitely recommend them any day!”
Rosina M.
Great company. They handled my case with care and kept me up to date on everything. I’m glad I chose them to represent me, and I’ll be recommending them to my customers as well.
Temesha G.
If you are looking for a legal team that genuinely cares about its clients, look no further than Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. They handled my case with extreme care, kept me informed every step of the way, and provided excellent service. I am so grateful for their support and highly recommend them!
Joy M.
Notable Premises Liability Case Results
We have a strong track record of securing life-changing settlements and verdicts for our clients, helping injured individuals and their families find financial stability after an accident.
Examples of our premises liability case outcomes include the following:
- $6 million: For a veteran who suffered a catastrophic fall and became paralyzed below the chest
- $400,000: For a guest who suffered serious injuries while staying at a hotel
While every case is unique, these results reflect our capability, experience, and dedication to our clients. We have the resources needed to take on large insurance companies and demand fair compensation for the hardships you’ve faced.
Hurt in an Accident?
Let Us Fight For You.
At Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, we've represented thousands of our Hampton Roads neighbors after they've been injured due to the negligence of others. Our team will fight to ensure you receive all possible compensation you're entitled to.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Property owners and occupiers have a legal obligation to prevent, fix, and warn of safety hazards on their premises. Our team can help with claims that involve different types of dangerous property conditions and accidents, including the following:
- Slip and fall accidents: Management must clean up spills, fix torn carpet, and repair uneven walkways to prevent hazardous falls.
- Inadequate lighting and security: Dark stairwells and parking areas can create dangerous conditions and increase the risk of criminal activity.
- Poorly maintained equipment: Broken railings and unstable shelving can lead to falls or crushing accidents.
- Elevator and escalator accidents: Mechanical failures or malfunctions may occur when systems are not routinely inspected or maintained.
- Dog bites: Owners may be held liable if their pet attacks visitors due to inadequate restraint or control.
- Swimming pool accidents: Unlocked gates and missing safety gear can lead to tragic, preventable drownings.
- Dangerous structures: Poorly maintained balconies and crumbling concrete can lead to dangerous structural collapses.
Determining Fault in Williamsburg Premises Liability Cases
Property owners in Virginia must keep their premises safe, but establishing liability requires proving specific legal elements that focus on who was responsible for maintaining the property and their responsibility to those visiting the property. We must prove who owed you a duty and who was responsible for keeping the premise safe and free from unreasonable hazards.
Understanding the Duty of Care
Legally, property owners and occupiers have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors, and this legal obligation is called the duty of care. In premises liability cases, we use this standard to determine whether an owner or occupying business can be held financially responsible for an injury.
To meet their legal obligations, property owners and businesses must:
- Routinely inspect their property
- Repair hidden hazards
- Post clear warnings about unavoidable dangers
Failing to address known issues can constitute a breach of duty, forming the basis for a premises liability personal injury claim.
Different Levels of Duties for Different Visitors
Virginia law divides visitors into three categories. The type of visitor to the property will determine the legal protection they are owed on someone else’s property. These levels of visitors are:
- Invitees: Customers at local attractions, retail spaces, or other commercial properties receive the highest duty of care. Owners must actively inspect and maintain the property to keep it reasonably safe.
- Licensees: Social guests visiting a Williamsburg home are owed a lesser duty. Hosts must warn them about known and hidden dangers that can lead to injury.
- Trespassers: Unauthorized adult visitors receive a minimal duty of care. Owners cannot intentionally harm them but generally do not have to protect them against accidental hazards.
Proving Negligence
If a property owner fails in their duty of care and you suffer an injury and damages as a result, proving their negligence can make them legally responsible for your losses.
To build a strong case, our team conducts an in-depth investigation to gather critical evidence before it disappears, including:
- Security footage
- Incident reports
- Witness statements
- Maintenance logs
When necessary, we collaborate with engineering, architects, and safety experts to inspect the scene and reconstruct the incident. This comprehensive process allows us to determine if the property owner was negligent and whether you’re entitled to compensation for your financial losses and suffering.
How Virginia’s Contributory Negligence Rule Could Affect Your Case
Virginia uses a strict pure contributory negligence rule. This means if you were even 1% at fault for your injury, you are barred from recovering any compensation. Under this rule, insurance adjusters often use defense tactics to shift blame onto you, and unfairly deny your claim. They might argue that you were:
- Distracted by your phone
- Wearing inappropriate footwear
- Ignoring visible warning signs
- Failed to look where you were going
Our Williamsburg slip and fall lawyers and personal injury attorneys know how to counter these aggressive insurance defense tactics to protect your right to compensation.
Available Compensation After an Accident
If a property owner’s negligence caused your harm, you can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your quantifiable financial losses, including the following:
- Current medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages from missed work
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are the intangible ways your life is impacted by your injuries, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
In the most tragic circumstances that involve fatal injuries, we also help families file wrongful death claims to seek justice for their loss. Families may qualify for additional damages, including funeral expenses and loss of support.
What Is the Deadline to File a Premises Liability Claim?
In Virginia, a strict two-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury claims. This deadline runs from the date of the injury, not when you discover its full severity. Missing this deadline means you completely lose your legal right to file a lawsuit and recover compensation.
Additionally, if your injury occurred on municipal or state-owned property, a much shorter 6 or 12 month notice requirement often applies. Because different government entities enforce distinct rules, consider speaking with a Williamsburg personal injury lawyer soon after your accident. Our team can help manage legal deadlines, preserve time-sensitive evidence, and guide you through every step of the process.
Trust the Experienced Williamsburg Premises Liability Attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers
We know how a serious injury can change your life, leaving you with expensive medical bills, missed work, and stress on the whole family. Our team is here to handle the legal work and take some of the stress off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery.
If you were injured on another person’s property in Williamsburg, call (757) 333-3333 or contact us through our online form to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation.
