A simple trip, fall, or unsafe property hazard can have lifelong consequences. Hold negligent owners accountable.
Houston Legal Help
JLG Law and Associates will contact you for a Free Legal Consultation
Houston Premises Liability Lawyer
Premises liability law in Texas holds property owners responsible when unsafe conditions cause injuries, such as slip-and-falls, negligent security, or hazardous property maintenance. Common dangers include wet floors, poor lighting, broken railings, uneven walkways, or toxic exposures that should have been addressed by property managers. At Juan L. Guerra, Jr. & Associates, we represent victims across Houston in these complex cases, proving negligence and countering insurer tactics to minimize payouts. As a dedicated premises liability lawyer in Houston, Juan Guerra fights for maximum compensation, covering medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery needs to ensure justice for every injured client.
Protect Your Rights After a Premises Injury in Houston
- Understand Property Owner Duties
Businesses, landlords, and store owners must inspect, repair, and warn of hazards. Your case may have proven they failed this duty, giving you the right to compensation.
- Know the Types of Visitors
- Invitees – Customers, tenants, or business visitors; owners owe the highest duty of care, including inspections and timely repairs.
- Licensees – Social guests; owners must warn them of known hazards.
- Trespassers – Individuals without permission; minimal duty owed, except for children under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine.
- Focus on Recovery
Keep records of medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing treatment. Document new symptoms or hardships.
- Ensure Full Compensation
With guidance from Juan L. Guerra, Jr. & Associates, pursue maximum recovery for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term impacts.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases in Houston
Premises liability covers many situations where unsafe property conditions cause injuries. In Houston, victims can hold negligent property owners accountable when hazards are ignored.
- Slip and Fall Accidents – Wet floors, uneven sidewalks, or poorly lit stairways often cause serious injuries. Property owners must repair hazards or provide clear warnings.
- Negligent Security – Inadequate lighting, missing security cameras, or lack of staff in areas like parking lots or hotels can make owners liable for preventable assaults or robberies.
- Falling Objects & Unsafe Shelving – Poorly stacked merchandise or unstable shelving in stores and warehouses can cause head trauma, fractures, or spinal injuries.
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks – Property and pet owners can be held responsible when negligence leads to bites or attacks, resulting in scarring, infections, or trauma.
- Defective Stairs, Railings, or Elevators – Broken stairs, loose railings, or malfunctioning elevators are dangerous structural issues that landlords must repair.
- Fires, Electrocutions, or Hazardous Exposure – Faulty wiring, unsafe fire alarms, or mishandled chemicals can lead to burns, electrocution, or toxic exposure.
Causes of Premises Liability Injuries in Houston
Premises liability accidents often happen because property owners fail to maintain safe conditions or follow Texas safety laws. When landlords, businesses, or property managers neglect their duty of care, visitors can suffer serious and preventable injuries.
- Poor Maintenance and Repairs
Broken stairs, cracked sidewalks, leaking ceilings, and faulty elevators put visitors at risk of falls, collapses, and other accidents.
- Inadequate Lighting
Dark hallways, stairwells, or parking lots increase fall risks and create opportunities for crime, making owners liable.
- Lack of Warning Signs
Missing wet floor signs, unmarked hazards, or exposed wiring can prove negligence when accidents occur.
- Negligent Security or Failure to Hire Staff
Skipping trained staff or ignoring known risks at apartments, shopping centers, or venues may result in liability for assaults or robberies.
- Violations of Building or Safety Codes
Cutting corners on fire safety, wiring, or structural codes often leads to fires, electrocution, or collapses, strengthening a negligence claim.
Premises Liability Law in Houston, Texas
In Texas, premises liability law (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Section 75.002) makes property owners and occupiers responsible when dangerous conditions on their property cause injuries. In Houston, this could mean a slip and fall at an H-E-B in Montrose, an assault in a poorly lit Galleria parking garage, or a fall from unsafe stairs in a Midtown apartment complex. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for people they allow onto their premises. Texas law separates visitors into three categories:
- Invitees (customers, tenants, business guests): Owners owe the highest duty of care. They must regularly inspect their Houston property, repair hazards, and clearly warn visitors about dangerous conditions.
- Licensees (friends, neighbors, social guests): Owners must warn of any known dangers but are not obligated to actively search for hidden risks.
- Trespassers: In most cases, Houston property owners owe no duty to trespassers, but they cannot intentionally cause harm. Under the attractive nuisance doctrine, children drawn to hazards like swimming pools, abandoned buildings, or construction sites may still be legally protected.
Finally, Texas applies the modified comparative negligence rule (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §33.001, known as the 51% bar rule). This means if an injured person in Houston is found 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover damages. If they are 50% or less at fault, their compensation is reduced by that percentage.
Houston Premises Liability Claim Deadlines
If you’re hurt on someone else’s property in Houston, you don’t have unlimited time to act. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003 sets a two-year statute of limitations for filing a premises liability lawsuit. That means you must file your claim within two years from the date of the injury, or you could lose your right to recover compensation.
In addition, property owners and their insurers often move fast to build a defense—sometimes even before you’ve left the hospital. Acting quickly gives your attorney time to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and challenge insurance tactics designed to minimize your claim.
Compensation Available for Premises Liability Victims
- Medical Expenses & Future Care
Covers hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment related to injuries caused by unsafe property conditions.
- Lost Wages & Reduced Earning Capacity
Compensation for income lost during recovery and potential long-term limitations on earning ability due to disability.
- Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages reflecting physical discomfort, lifestyle changes, and reduced quality of life after a serious accident.
- Emotional Distress
For incidents involving negligent security or traumatic events, victims can claim damages for PTSD, anxiety, or other psychological harm.
- Wrongful Death
When a premises accident is fatal, surviving family members may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
- Full Legal Recovery
Working with an experienced Houston premises liability attorney ensures that all forms of compensation allowed under Texas law are pursued and maximized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Premises liability settlements depend on the type of accident, injury severity, and property owner negligence. Minor slip-and-fall injuries may settle for modest amounts, while serious injuries from unsafe structures or negligent security can result in significant compensation.
Yes. Proving premises liability in Houston requires showing that the property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it. A lawyer can gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Not exactly. Premises liability is a type of personal injury claim that focuses on unsafe property conditions, while general liability is a broad form of insurance coverage that businesses or property owners carry. General liability insurance may cover a premises liability claim, but the legal standards are different.
Houston Legal Help
JLG Law and Associates will contact you for a Free Legal Consultation
What Our Clients Say About Us
Our team has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts across personal injury and criminal defense matters. Whether it’s protecting your future or rebuilding after trauma, we deliver results that matter.
Consult an Experienced Houston Premises Liability Attorney
Suffering an injury on someone else’s property in Houston can be life-altering, leaving you with medical bills, lost income, and ongoing physical or emotional challenges. Property owners and their insurers often try to minimize payouts or deny responsibility, and without skilled legal representation, you may not receive the full compensation you deserve. At Juan L. Guerra, Jr. & Associates, we understand the tactics negligent property owners and insurers use—questioning liability, disputing injuries, or delaying claims. Our team aggressively gathers evidence, including surveillance footage, safety reports, witness statements, and expert evaluations, to fight for your rights.
We offer a free, confidential consultation to review your case and explain your legal options. Whether your injury resulted from a slip-and-fall, broken stairs, poor lighting, or inadequate security, we create a strategy tailored to your situation. From negotiating fair settlements to taking your case to trial if necessary, our goal is to maximize your recovery and protect your future. When your health and financial security are at stake, you need a relentless Houston premises liability lawyer in your corner.
Call or fill out our online form today to get a free and confidential consultation. At Juan L. Guerra, Jr. & Associates, every client is treated like family—and every case is handled with fierce dedication.