A Premises Liability claim arises when you are injured due to a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else’s property—a grocery store, apartment complex, parking lot, or private residence. These cases are often called Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall claims, but the liability extends to inadequate security, dog bites, pool drownings, and more. Property owners and managers in Houston have a legal duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment. When they fail, resulting in serious injury, Karen Torres Law holds them accountable.
Call us now at (713) 576-0400 to get started with a free, confidential review of your family’s case.
Why Choose Karen Torres Law for Your Premises Claim
Winning a premises liability case in Texas is challenging because the law favors the property owner. You must prove the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. You need an experienced Houston premises liability lawyer who can secure crucial evidence immediately.
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Evidence Collection Specialists: We move fast to demand video footage (which is often deleted quickly), secure maintenance records, and get witness statements before the property owner can fix the hazard.
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Texas Knowledge: We have in-depth knowledge of Texas premises liability statutes, including the different duties of care owed to invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
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Focused Discovery: We use the legal discovery process to uncover negligence, such as a pattern of ignoring previous complaints or failing to follow standard safety protocols.
Services We Provide
We successfully handle complex premises liability cases against negligent property owners, including:
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Slip and Fall / Trip and Fall: Caused by wet floors, unmarked hazards, cracked pavement, or inadequate lighting.
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Inadequate Security: Injuries resulting from assault, robbery, or criminal activity due to poor lighting, broken gates, or absent security staff in areas like parking garages and apartment complexes.
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Dog Bites & Animal Attacks: Injuries caused by a negligent pet owner.
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Swimming Pool Accidents: Drowning or near-drowning incidents due to lack of fencing or lifeguard supervision.
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Apartment Complex Injuries: Injuries due to fire code violations, structural failures, or neglected maintenance.
How We Help You Prove the Owner’s Negligence
Unlike a car accident where negligence is often clear, premises liability requires proving the property owner’s knowledge of the risk. We do this by:
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Investigating Notice: Proving the hazard existed long enough that a reasonable owner should have known about it (constructive notice).
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Securing Maintenance Logs: Obtaining documentation to show the property owner neglected regular inspections or repairs.
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Demonstrating Causation: Linking the owner’s failure to maintain the property directly to your injury.
Why Matters in Houston
Houston is a constantly growing metropolis with endless shopping centers, corporate parks, apartment complexes, and public spaces. With this growth comes an obligation for property owners, both commercial and residential, to prioritize safety. When a large retail chain or a major apartment management company in Houston cuts corners on maintenance to save money, innocent people suffer serious injuries like broken hips, head trauma, and soft tissue damage. Our mission is to ensure corporate negligence does not go unpunished in the Houston courts.
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the legal difference between an “invitee” and a “licensee” in a premises case? An invitee (like a customer in a store) is owed the highest duty of care. A licensee (like a social guest) is only owed a duty regarding hazards the owner knows about. This distinction is critical in Texas law.
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What should I do immediately after a slip and fall injury? Seek immediate medical attention. If possible and safe, take photos of the exact hazard that caused the fall before it is cleaned up or repaired. Report the incident to a manager or owner and get a copy of the report. Do not sign any documents.
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The property owner claims I was distracted by my phone. Can I still win my case? Under Texas’s Comparative Fault law, the defense will often try to shift blame to you. We fight this by demonstrating that the owner’s negligence (the unseen hazard) was the primary cause, even if you were distracted.
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How do you prove inadequate security in an apartment complex? We investigate the complex’s history of crime, review police reports, check maintenance records for broken security features (like gates or lights), and assess whether the security provided was reasonable for the area.
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What types of injuries qualify for a premises liability claim? Any injury resulting from the hazard, ranging from broken bones, torn ligaments (ACL, MCL), spinal injuries, concussions, or even psychological trauma resulting from an assault.
Client Testimonials
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“I broke my leg due to a broken stairwell in my apartment complex. The management tried to blame me, but Karen Torres Law got the inspection reports and proved they knew about the danger for months. They fought hard and secured a massive settlement.” – Elena V., Apartment Resident
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“After I was assaulted in a poorly lit parking garage, I thought I had no recourse. Karen’s team was incredible, demonstrating a clear case of negligent security against the property owner. They secured justice for me and made that lot safer for others.” – Shawn L.
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“I slipped on an unmarked spill at a large Houston supermarket. Karen’s team immediately demanded the surveillance footage and witness statements, catching the store in their lie. She is a powerhouse attorney.” – Rhonda T., Slip and Fall Victim
