Farmington Premises Liability Lawyer

Premises liability accidents can happen virtually anywhere. Some of the most common locations where these injuries occur include:

• Grocery stores
• Shopping malls
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Apartment complexes
• Parking garages
• Office buildings
• Construction sites
• Public parks
• Private homes
• Bars and nightclubs
• Sidewalks and walkways

Businesses that invite customers onto their property have an obligation to maintain safe conditions. When they fail to correct dangerous hazards, they may be financially responsible for injuries that occur.

New Mexico Premises Liability Laws

New Mexico premises liability law generally requires property owners to exercise reasonable care in maintaining their property. The level of care owed often depends on the visitor’s status on the property.

Invitees

Invitees are individuals invited onto property for business purposes, such as customers at a store. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care and must regularly inspect for hazards and correct dangerous conditions.

Licensees

Licensees are social guests or others lawfully on the property for non-business purposes. Property owners must warn licensees about known dangers that may not be obvious.

Trespassers

Generally, property owners owe limited duties to trespassers. However, there may be exceptions involving children or intentional misconduct.

Comparative Negligence in New Mexico

New Mexico follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means an injured person may still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for the accident. However, the compensation award may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.

For example, if a victim is found 20% responsible for an accident, their compensation may be reduced by 20%.

When is a Property Owner Liable for Injuries on Their Property?

A property owner may be liable when they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable injuries. Liability often depends on whether the owner:

• Created the hazardous condition
• Knew about the dangerous condition
• Should have discovered the hazard through reasonable inspections
• Failed to repair the issue promptly
• Failed to provide adequate warnings

For example, a grocery store may be liable if employees knew about a spill but failed to clean it up or place warning signs nearby.

Evidence is critical in these cases. Surveillance footage, incident reports, witness statements, maintenance records, and photographs can all help establish liability.

Compensation for Injured Guests or Patrons

Victims injured on unsafe property may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

Potential compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Rehabilitation costs
• Disability-related expenses
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In severe cases involving permanent disability or catastrophic injury, compensation may be substantial.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New Mexico generally imposes a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and whether a government entity is involved. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

What should I do after a premises liability accident?

After an accident, you should:

• Seek medical attention immediately
• Report the incident to the property owner or manager
• Take photographs of the hazard
• Collect witness information
• Preserve medical records and receipts
• Contact a premises liability lawyer

Can I sue if I slipped and fell at a business?

Possibly. If the business failed to maintain safe conditions or neglected to address known hazards, you may have grounds for a claim.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

New Mexico’s comparative negligence law may still allow you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible.

How much is my premises liability case worth?

Every case is unique. Compensation depends on factors such as injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and long-term impacts on your life.

How Our Buckingham & Vega Law Firm Can Help With Your Farmington Premises Liability Case

Ensuring you have a valid claim is one thing. However, building a case that proves a property owner engaged in negligence can take time, energy, and a bit of strategic thinking. Our premises liability attorneys in our Farmington, NM office have the requisite skill to build a solid case that will give you the best chance of securing the fair compensation you need and deserve in your case.

A meeting with us is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about the legal rights New Mexico law affords you and how you should proceed in your Farmington case.

Reach out to our Albuquerque location of Buckingham & Vega Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our injury attorneys.