Utah Premises Liability Laws

Premises liability is a concept in personal injury law that holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to negligence. This legal principle applies to a wide range of properties, from retail stores and public spaces to private homes and government offices. Victims who are injured on a Utah property may have grounds to pursue a premises liability lawsuit, which provides compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Keep in mind if you are injured on someone else’s property, contact our premises liability attorney in St. George to learn more.

Utah Property Owners Owe Certain Duties to Visitors

In Utah, the duty of care a property owner owes to visitors varies depending on the visitor’s status. The law recognizes three primary categories of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Each category is afforded different levels of protection.

• Invitees, such as customers in a grocery store, are owed the highest duty of care. Property owners must not only address known hazards but also regularly inspect their premises to identify and rectify potential dangers.
• Licensees or social guests are owed an important duty of care, but not as stringent as invitees. Property owners must warn licensees of known hazards, but regular inspections are not required.
• Trespassers who enter property without permission are owed the least duty of care. Property owners cannot intentionally harm them. However, they may be required to warn of a known hazard in a frequently trespassed area. 

How to Prove a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Utah

To recover compensation in a premises liability claim, you will need to prove the property owner’s negligence. This requires establishing four key facts:

• The property owner owed you a duty of care based on your visitor status (invitee, licensee, or trespasser).
• The property owner failed to uphold their duty by neglecting to maintain safe premises or warn of known hazards.
• You can show a direct link between the owner’s negligence and your injury, proving that the unsafe condition directly led to the accident.
• You suffered damages as a result of the accident and can provide proof that you experienced this harm, such as medical bills and pain and suffering.

The Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims 

In Utah, the statute of limitations for filing a premises liability claim is generally four years from the date of the injury. This means that you must file your lawsuit within four years of the accident, or the court will likely dismiss your claim.

Certain circumstances can alter this deadline; for example, if you were under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, you have four years from your 18th birthday to file a lawsuit. In order to protect your legal claim, consult with an attorney who can initiate your lawsuit before the deadline passes and preserve your right to seek compensation.

Injured on Someone’s Property? Contact We Win Injury Law Today

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, you have the right to seek legal action—and a Utah premises liability lawyer can help you recover the compensation that you deserve. We Win Injury Law has a proven track record of holding Utah property owners accountable for their negligence, and our attorneys can defend your rights every step of the way. 

Take action now to protect your rights and seek fair compensation. Contact us today at (435) 688-9558 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn how we can build a strong case on your behalf.