Hamilton County Premises Liability Lawyer

Legal Help for Dangerous Property Injuries in Chattanooga and Beyond

Property owners in Tennessee are required to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors, tenants, and customers. When they fail to do so, serious accidents can happen — and they’re often completely preventable. If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, you may have the right to pursue a premises liability claim.

At Pritchard Injury Firm, we represent injury victims throughout Chattanooga and all of Hamilton County who have suffered harm because of dangerous property conditions. We’re here to investigate what went wrong, hold negligent owners accountable, and fight for the compensation you need to recover.

Why Choose Pritchard Injury Firm for a Premises Liability Case?

Premises liability cases can be difficult — especially when insurance companies try to downplay the danger or shift the blame onto the victim. You need a legal team that knows how to cut through the noise and build a strong case backed by facts.

When you work with Pritchard Injury Firm, you get:

• A deep understanding of Tennessee liability law
• Full investigation into accident conditions and safety records
• Access to safety experts, engineers, and medical specialists
• Representation that’s trial-ready and results-focused
• No legal fees unless we win your case

We take on insurance carriers, corporate property managers, landlords, and any other party that fails to keep people safe. Your focus is on healing; ours is on fighting.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Premises Injury?

A premises liability injury can impact nearly every part of your life — from lost wages to ongoing physical therapy. We work to recover full and fair compensation that reflects the complete toll of the accident, including:

• Emergency medical care and hospital stays
• Surgical procedures and rehabilitation
• Ongoing treatment or long-term care
• Lost wages and future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of mobility or independence
• Emotional trauma or psychological distress
• Wrongful death damages, if the injury was fatal

We fight not just for what you’ve lost, but for what you’ll need to move forward.

What Is a Premises Liability Case?

A premises liability case arises when someone is injured due to unsafe or dangerous conditions on another party’s property. These cases are based on the legal principle that property owners — whether private individuals, businesses, or government entities — owe a duty of care to those who enter their premises lawfully.

The core legal question is whether the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it or warn visitors in a reasonable amount of time. If so, and someone was injured as a result, the property owner may be held legally and financially responsible.

What to Do After a Premises Injury in Hamilton County

If you were injured on someone else’s property, taking the right steps early on can protect both your health and your legal rights:

1. Get medical attention as soon as possible
2. Report the incident to the property owner or manager
3. Document the scene, including photos of the hazard and your injuries
4. Collect contact information from any witnesses
5. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance without legal counsel
6. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm so we can begin investigating immediately

Preserving evidence early is crucial — especially if the hazard gets repaired or cleaned up after the fact.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Premises liability covers a wide range of incidents — and each one requires a unique legal approach. At Pritchard Injury Firm, we handle claims involving:

• Slip and falls due to wet floors, loose rugs, or icy walkways
• Trip and falls from uneven pavement, cluttered aisles, or broken steps
• Negligent security, when poor security allows violent crime to occur
• Falling merchandise in retail stores or warehouses
• Poor lighting, which can conceal hazards or encourage criminal activity
• Swimming pool accidents, including drowning or chemical exposure
• Dog bites and other animal attacks on private property
• Structural failures, such as collapsing decks or railings
• Elevator and escalator malfunctions
• Fires, electrocution, or gas leaks

Whether your injury happened at a big-box store, an apartment complex, a public building, or a private residence, we can help.

Where Do Premises Liability Accidents Happen in Hamilton County?

Premises liability accidents can happen virtually anywhere — and often in places that seem safe and familiar. In Hamilton County, many of these incidents occur in high-traffic public areas like retail stores and shopping centers, where wet floors, loose tiles, or falling merchandise can put shoppers at risk. Locations near Hamilton Place Mall and other busy commercial corridors in Chattanooga frequently see these types of injuries due to the volume of foot traffic and constant activity.

Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are also common sites for premises-related injuries. Dim lighting, slick entryways, and inattentive staff can create hazardous conditions that lead to falls or other accidents. In residential settings, apartment complexes and rental properties may pose dangers when landlords fail to repair broken stair rails, clear icy walkways, or provide adequate lighting in shared areas — a problem we’ve seen frequently in areas like East Ridge, Red Bank, and Hixson.

Public spaces can be just as dangerous. Sidewalks, public parks, government buildings, and parking garages throughout the county must be maintained to avoid trip hazards, electrical dangers, and unsafe stairwells. Even hotels and office buildings, particularly those near downtown Chattanooga or near major roadways like I-24 and I-75, can become the site of an accident if basic maintenance and safety protocols are ignored.

No matter where the injury happens — public or private, commercial or residential — the property owner has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure visitor safety. When they fail in that duty, and someone gets hurt as a result, our team steps in to hold them accountable.

How Do You Prove a Premises Liability Claim?

To succeed in a premises liability case, we must show that:

1. The property owner owed you a duty of care (you were lawfully on the property)
2. The owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition
3. They failed to fix it or provide adequate warning
4. That failure directly caused your injury

We gather the evidence needed to prove these elements by investigating:

• Incident reports and property maintenance logs
• Photos and video of the scene (security footage if available)
• Witness testimony
• Medical records documenting the severity of your injury
• Local and state building codes or safety regulations

We build your case from the ground up and fight back against every excuse, denial, or delay the defense throws your way.

FAQ: Premises Liability in Hamilton County

Can I still sue if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you were less than 50% responsible, you may still recover damages — though your compensation may be reduced.

Do I have a case if the property owner didn’t know about the hazard?

If the hazard existed long enough that they should have known, they may still be held liable. This is called “constructive notice.”

What if the injury happened on public property?

You may still have a claim, but special procedures and shorter deadlines apply when suing government entities. Talk to a lawyer right away.

How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Tennessee?

You generally have one year from the date of the injury to file a claim.

How much does it cost to hire Pritchard Injury Firm?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay anything unless we win.

Talk to a Hamilton County Premises Liability Lawyer Today

You shouldn’t have to suffer because someone else failed to maintain a safe environment. At Pritchard Injury Firm, we fight for justice when preventable property dangers cause life-altering injuries.

Call (470) 828-3363 for a free consultation.We represent clients across Chattanooga, Red Bank, East Ridge, Hixson, and all of Hamilton County.