Under Alaska law, property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for people they allow or invite onto their property. If there are unsafe conditions, property owners must alert customers and guests for their protection.

“Premises liability” is the area of law that deals with the responsibility of property owners to keep their premises safe. Slip-and-fall accidents are a common type of premises liability injury, but there are many ways that a person can be injured through a property owner’s negligence or recklessness. These injuries can cause severe pain, permanent disability, or even death.

If you were hurt on the property of a business or individual because they did not take reasonable care to prevent injury, you may have a premises liability claim. Filing a claim can help you get compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and income lost due to your injury.

Attorney Eric Derleth is lifelong Alaskan and premises liability attorney with 30 years of experience successfully litigating these types of cases. If you have been hurt on someone else’s property and think that they could be at fault, call our office at 907-262-9164. Based in Soldotna, Eric represents clients in Anchorage, Wasilla/Palmer, Juneau, the Kenai Peninsula, and throughout the state.

Types of Premises Liability Cases

All types of accidents can happen because of a property owner’s negligence, especially in a place of business. Business owners benefit from customers coming onto their property, and often actively work to get them there. They have a duty to protect them from such dangers as:

  • Wet and slippery floors
  • Icy parking lots and walkways
  • Electrical hazards and electrocution
  • Defective stairwells and staircases
  • Uneven sidewalks
  • Dog bites or animal attacks
  • Assault by criminals due to insufficient security
  • Falling or flying objects
  • Ceiling collapse
  • Fire hazards
  • Injury due to inadequate lighting

Premises liability cases are fact-specific and can be challenging to prove. You must be able to show not only that there was a dangerous condition and an injury, but that the condition caused the injury and that the injured person suffered damages. It is also critical to prove facts that show that the property owner had a duty to protect the injured person and that they failed in that duty—in other words, that the property owner’s negligence is what caused the injury.

If you have been hurt, you need an experienced premises liability attorney who can “connect the dots” for a jury, not only persuading them of the facts, but motivating them to act on your behalf.

Alaska’s statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a claim for premises liability. Contact an experienced premises liability attorney as soon as possible after any injury you suffered on someone else’s property.

Injuries Suffered in Premises Liability Cases

Injuries suffered in premise liability cases can range from mild to severe, including cuts and lacerations, burns, scarring and disfigurement, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, and even death.

If you have suffered a severe injury, your priority is on recovering your health. You may be in too much pain to think about a lawsuit. The property owner’s insurance company may try to offer you a settlement, and especially if you are in a difficult financial position, you may be tempted to accept it.

Unfortunately, accepting a settlement offer means that you cannot later seek more compensation if your injuries turned out to be more severe than you first thought. Never accept or sign a settlement, or even speak to the property owner’s insurer or attorney, without first consulting an attorney of your own. Your attorney is the only person who puts your interests first, and who can speak for you when you can’t speak up for yourself. You do not have to navigate this challenging time alone.

What Compensation Can I Expect in a Premises Liability Suit?

In an Alaska premises liability case, we can help you recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses: you may recover compensation for any medical bills incurred because of your accident. This can include doctor visits, physical therapy, surgeries, medication, and future medical expenses.
  • Lost Wages: You can be compensated for any work missed due to the injury and may receive compensation for diminished future earning ability.
  • Pain and Suffering: you may have compensation for any lasting emotional or physical pain suffered because of your injury in a premises liability lawsuit.
  • Wrongful Death: If your loved one died due to a property owner’s negligence, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. You may be able to get compensation for lost income your family member would have earned had they lived, as well as compensation for their pain and suffering.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand the extent of your true damages, and ensure that you do not settle for less compensation than you deserve.

Hiring a Premises Liability Attorney in Alaska

If you or a family member were injured due to a property owner’s carelessness, working with an injury attorney makes it more likely that your claim will be successful. An attorney’s representation also typically means that you will receive a much larger financial recovery.

Attorney Eric Derleth is known as the “Trial Guy” because of his extensive courtroom experience, including with premises liability cases. While most cases of this type settle before trial, Eric knows that being prepared to go to trial usually results in a much larger settlement. For the minority of premises liability cases that are tried, Eric’s meticulous approach to trial preparation increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.

There is no risk to you in consulting an attorney; our office offers no-obligation consultations and only receives an attorney fee if your case is successful. To learn more about Alaska premises liability, and how an attorney can help you, contact the Trial Guy. From his office in Soldotna, Eric Derleth serves clients in Anchorage, Palmer/Wasilla, Juneau, and throughout Alaska. Call today for a free, confidential consultation.