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When Can You File a Premises Liability Claim?

Posted on September 30, 2025 in Personal Injury

Sterling, VA personal injury attorney Slipping on a wet grocery store floor. Tripping on an uneven carpet on the stairs at an apartment complex. Getting hurt in a restaurant parking lot at night because there was not good enough lighting. Accidents like these happen every day, and when they do, victims wonder: Can I file a lawsuit?

In Virginia, these kinds of accidents fall under premises liability law. If a property owner or manager did not keep a location safe, and you were injured because of that, you may be able to bring a claim for compensation.

At Whitlock Law, our Loudoun County personal injury lawyer offers free consultations to explain your rights and options. If you were hurt anywhere in the county, talk to us about whether you should file a claim.

What Are Premises Liability Lawsuits?

"Premises liability" refers to the legal responsibility property owners have to keep their property reasonably safe. In Virginia, the exact responsibility owners have depends on why you were on the property in the first place:

Invitees

Customers at a store or restaurant are considered invitees. Owners owe them the highest duty of care. This includes inspecting the property regularly and fixing or warning about dangers.

Licensees

Social guests, like someone visiting a friend’s apartment, must be warned of known hazards but the owner does not have to inspect for dangers.

Trespassers

Generally, property owners owe little duty to trespassers, though they cannot intentionally create dangerous situations.

Most premises liability lawsuits involve invitees, since businesses that welcome the public must take reasonable steps to prevent injuries. This makes restaurants, bars, and grocery stores very common places for injuries that lead to lawsuits or insurance claims.

Common Causes of Premises Liability Injuries

In Sterling and throughout Loudoun County, we see many different property-related injuries. Some common examples include:

Slip and fall accidents on wet floors
Tripping hazards from torn carpeting, broken sidewalks, or cluttered aisles
Falling objects in stores or warehouses
Poor lighting, leading to accidents or assaults
Inadequate security at apartment complexes or hotels
Elevator or escalator malfunctions

These accidents can result in serious injuries like broken bones, concussions, spinal injuries, or even permanent disability.

What You Need to Prove in a Premises Liability Case

To bring a successful premises liability claim in Virginia, you must show several things are true. First, that the property owner had a duty to keep the property safe. Second, that the owner knew, or should have known, about the dangerous condition. Third, if the property owner did know or should have known, that they failed to repair or warn about the hazard in time. Finally, you need to show that you were injured as a direct result of the dangerous condition.

For example, if you slipped in a grocery store because of a spill, the main question will be whether employees had a reasonable chance to notice and clean it up before your accident.

The Statute of Limitations for Virginia Premises Liability Claims

In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims — including premises liability — is two years from the date of the accident according to Virginia Code § 8.01-243. If you do not file your lawsuit within that time, you will likely lose your right to get compensation. However, because evidence like surveillance footage or witness statements can disappear quickly, it is smart to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury.

What Kind of Damages Can You Recover in a Premises Liability Case?

If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for many different types of damages. These include, but are not limited to your medical bills, money you lost from missing work, pain and suffering, and loss of life enjoyment. In the most serious cases, when someone dies as a result of dangerous conditions, their family can bring a claim for wrongful death.

Every case is different, so the exact amount you can get will depend on your situation. The goal is to put you in the financial position you would have been in if the injury had not happened.

Talk to a Loudoun County Premises Liability Lawyer Today

If you were hurt because of unsafe property conditions, you should get the compensation you deserve. At Whitlock Law, our Sterling, VA personal injury lawyer has the experience to investigate your case, explain your options, and file a claim on your behalf. We offer free consultations, so there is no risk in learning about your rights.

Call us today at 703-576-5005 to talk more about your accident.

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Cases Tried In:

Free Consultations
Maryland 301-565-1655 | Virginia 703-576-5005

When Can You File a Premises Liability Claim?

What Are Premises Liability Lawsuits?

Invitees

Licensees

Trespassers

Common Causes of Premises Liability Injuries

What You Need to Prove in a Premises Liability Case

The Statute of Limitations for Virginia Premises Liability Claims

What Kind of Damages Can You Recover in a Premises Liability Case?

Talk to a Loudoun County Premises Liability Lawyer Today

Recent Blog Posts

Categories

Archive

Request a Case Evaluation

Silver Spring Office

Bowie Office

Frederick Office

Chesapeake Office

Manassas Office

Glen Allen Office

Leesburg Office

Cases Tried In:

Free Consultations Maryland 301-565-1655 | Virginia 703-576-5005

When Can You File a Premises Liability Claim?

What Are Premises Liability Lawsuits?

Invitees

Licensees

Trespassers

Common Causes of Premises Liability Injuries

What You Need to Prove in a Premises Liability Case

The Statute of Limitations for Virginia Premises Liability Claims

What Kind of Damages Can You Recover in a Premises Liability Case?

Talk to a Loudoun County Premises Liability Lawyer Today

Recent Blog Posts

Categories

Archive

Request a Case Evaluation

Silver Spring Office

Bowie Office

Frederick Office

Chesapeake Office

Manassas Office

Glen Allen Office

Leesburg Office

Free Consultations
Maryland 301-565-1655 | Virginia 703-576-5005