Houston Premises Liability Lawyer
Houston Premises Liability Lawyer
Getting hurt because a property owner failed to fix unsafe conditions in Houston can feel both frustrating and overwhelming. You can rely on your Houston personal injury lawyer at Goff Law, PLLC to approach these cases with Small Firm Attention. Big Firm Results., combining personal attention with the resources needed to take on bigger opponents.
If you were injured on someone else’s property, your Houston premises liability lawyer from Goff Law, PLLC is here to listen and help you pursue much-needed financial compensation.
Property Owners Owe You a Duty of Care Under Texas Law
In Houston, property owners are responsible for keeping their spaces safe for the people they invite in. That duty applies whether you are a tenant in an apartment complex, a customer at a store, or a visitor in a public building. These rules are central to how courts look at premises liability claims, and they affect what you can expect if you are injured on unsafe property.
Your Legal Status on a Property Can Change Your Claim
The law looks at your reason for being on the property, and that status can influence the strength of your claim. Invitees, such as shoppers, receive the highest protection because owners are expected to inspect for hazards and correct them. Licensees, such as social guests, are still protected but not to the same level. Trespassers receive the least protection, although exceptions exist for children.
These distinctions can be confusing, but your Houston premises liability attorney with Goff Law, PLLC can explain how your status will be considered in a claim. The way you are categorized will determine what responsibilities the property owner had in your situation.
These Rules Impact Both Tenants and Visitors in Houston
Premises liability standards apply across Houston, but the duties vary depending on where the accident happens. A landlord may be required to repair broken stairs for tenants, while a store owner must keep aisles clear for customers. For contractors, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 95.002 extends these rules by setting out when a property owner may be liable for unsafe conditions.
For tenants and visitors, these rules matter because they determine who is responsible for addressing a hazard before it causes injury. Renters rely on property managers to maintain shared areas, while shoppers depend on businesses to keep walkways safe. When property owners ignore those duties, the risks fall on you instead of the people who should have taken care of the problem.
Hazards You Might Find on Houston Properties
In a city the size of Houston, unsafe conditions in housing and businesses can put you at risk almost anywhere. Issues such as a dog bite or a fall in a dimly lit stairwell show how property owners sometimes fail to protect visitors. The Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 101.021 addresses liability for government agencies, and the same principles are often applied when determining how responsibility is assigned in private property claims. Some of the most common hazards that appear in premises liability cases include:
- Broken elevators in apartment complexes
- Escalator failures in office towers or shopping malls
- Wet floors in grocery stores and other retail spaces
- Unsafe stairwells without proper lighting or secure railings
- Pool accidents at apartment or condo properties
- Cracked sidewalks outside commercial buildings
- Loose carpeting in high-traffic areas
- Poorly maintained entryways that create trip hazards
- Falling objects from shelves or overhead storage
These hazards can lead to accidents that never should have happened. When property owners ignore known problems, the consequences often fall on visitors who have no way to protect themselves. Recognized as one of the Top Law Firms in the Metroplex, Goff Law, PLLC investigates these conditions across Houston so you have the evidence needed to pursue your claim.
Unsafe Properties Can Affect You and Your Family in Houston
When property owners cut corners, the consequences are often felt at home as much as at the accident site. You may find yourself worried about how to cover treatment or manage responsibilities when you cannot get back to work right away. A Houston catastrophic injury lawyer recognized as one of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch understands the pressure this puts on families and why premises liability claims matter.
Unsafe Properties Can Drain Your Finances
Medical care in Houston comes with high costs, and even a single ER visit may result in bills arriving before you have had a chance to recover. Ongoing treatment, like therapy or follow-up appointments, only adds to the pressure when your paychecks slow down or stop entirely. The Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 generally allows two years to bring a claim, but waiting too long can make it harder to prove the extent of your financial losses.
The strain does not stop with medical expenses. Missed work and added costs such as transportation or outside help at home can drain your savings quickly. Property owners who fail to correct hazards shift those expenses onto you, even though the danger should have been addressed before anyone was hurt.
What You May Experience When Taking Action Against Landlords or Businesses
Filing a claim against a landlord or Home Owners Association (HOA) in Houston can feel very different than pursuing one against a small property owner. Larger entities often rely on attorneys and insurers who will challenge your account of the accident and try to limit their responsibility.
A Houston slip and fall lawyer has seen how these tactics play out in premises liability cases. Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001, state law sets out rules on comparative responsibility, and businesses use this to argue that injured visitors share part of the blame. Families facing well-funded defense teams often feel pressure to accept less than they deserve. Careful preparation and strong evidence can balance the scales so your story is not overshadowed by corporate resources.
Work With Your Premises Liability Lawyer in Houston Today
