Personal Injury Claims Against Homeowners: What Accident Victims in PA Need to Know

Homeowners in Pennsylvania can be held liable for slips, falls, dog attacks, and other incidents occurring on their property. That said, whether a homeowner is liable for a particular incident depends on the specific circumstances. If you were injured at someone else’s home, a Stroudsburg personal injury lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC can provide a free, no-obligation assessment of your legal rights.

Accidents at home are among the most common causes of traumatic injuries. Yet, when you visit someone else’s home, you rarely think about the risk of suffering a serious injury.

Unfortunately, this is a very real concern. From slippery sidewalks to loose pets, visitors to people’s homes can face a variety of risks—and these risks can lead to serious injuries in many cases. If you were injured at someone else’s home in Pennsylvania, you may be entitled to financial compensation, and you will want to consult with an experienced Stroudsburg personal injury lawyer about your legal rights.

When Can Homeowners Be Held Liable for Accidents on Their Property?

In Pennsylvania, homeowners can be held liable for accidents on their property in various circumstances. While homeowners are not legally responsible for all accidents in all cases, they can frequently be held liable for accidents such as:

• Slip-and-fall accidents (including accidents involving snow and ice)
• Trip-and-fall accidents
• Falls involving dangerous stairs and railings
• Swimming pool accidents
• Dog attacks

These are just some of the most common examples. From fireworks explosions to golf cart and ATV accidents, homeowners can be held liable for various other types of accidents occurring on their property as well. When you speak with a personal injury lawyer about your accident, your lawyer will be able to determine if a personal injury claim is warranted based on the specific circumstances of your case.

Who is Eligible to File a Premises Liability Claim Against a Homeowner?

Just as homeowners can be held liable for a variety of types of accidents on their property, homeowners can also be held liable for a variety of types of victims’ injuries. For example, generally speaking, homeowners can be held liable for injuries suffered by:

• Social guests
• Children
• Delivery drivers
• Home service providers
• Trespassers (in limited circumstances)

With that said, it is important to note that different standards apply in different cases. For example, while homeowners may have an obligation to warn social guests of known safety hazards, they do not owe a similar duty to trespassers. Additionally, while adult trespassers are only entitled to very limited protections, children who are enticed by an “attractive nuisance” on a homeowner’s property may be protected even when an adult trespasser would not be eligible to file a claim.

Is Insurance Coverage Available for an Accident at Someone Else’s Home?

In most cases, seeking compensation for an accident at someone else’s home involves filing a homeowner’s insurance claim. Homeowner’s insurance policies typically include liability coverage—which pays for accident victims’ medical bills and other losses when the homeowner is legally responsible.

However, filing a successful liability claim under a homeowner’s insurance policy can be challenging, and this makes it important to work with an experienced Stroudsburg personal injury lawyer throughout the process. Our lawyers handle these cases on behalf of accident victims and families across Pennsylvania.

FAQs: Filing a Premises Liability Claim Against a Homeowner in Pennsylvania

Can I file a lawsuit if I was injured at someone else’s home in Pennsylvania?

If you were injured at someone else’s home in Pennsylvania, whether you can file a lawsuit depends on the specific cause of the accident. While homeowners can generally be held liable for slips, falls, and other incidents that result in serious injuries, certain limitations apply. Additionally, while seeking just compensation in this scenario may involve filing a lawsuit in court, it is more likely to involve filing a claim with the homeowner’s insurance company.

If I file a homeowners insurance claim, will my premiums increase?

Filing a liability claim under a homeowner’s insurance policy will likely increase the homeowner’s premiums. However, this premium increase will pale in comparison to the costs of your injuries. While the homeowner’s premiums might increase by a few hundred dollars per year, you could be facing thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in injury-related losses.

What should I do if I was injured at someone else’s home?

If you were injured at someone else’s home, you should seek treatment promptly. You should also speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. In this scenario, you may be entitled to financial compensation—and, if you are, it will be important to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you seek the full compensation you deserve.

How Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC Can Help

Dealing with serious accident-related injuries can be painful and frustrating. It can also be scary if you aren’t sure how you’ll cover your medical bills and other expenses going forward. At Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC, we help accident victims and their families seek just compensation, and we are committed to doing so as efficiently as possible. If you, your child or another loved one has been injured at someone else’s home, we can:

• Gather the evidence needed to file a claim
• Determine how much compensation you deserve to recover
• Deal with the homeowner’s insurance company on your behalf
• Advise you regarding settlement
• Take the homeowner’s insurance company to court if necessary

We provide all of these services at no out-of-pocket cost. If your claim is successful, our legal fees will be calculated as a percentage of the compensation we help you recover.

Discuss Your Claim with a Stroudsburg Personal Injury Lawyer for Free

To discuss your claim with an experienced Stroudsburg personal injury lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC, contact us today. Call 888-777-7098 or tell us how we can reach you online to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.