Lake Charles Premises Liability Lawyer
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Date Last Updated: June 12, 2025
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe, meaning they must address any hazards to avoid harm to those lawfully on the premises. If you have been injured by a hazardous condition on someone else’s property—whether it’s a store, an apartment building, a construction site, a park, or anywhere else—you may be entitled to compensation. The Lake Charles premises liability lawyers at Shamieh Law can help.
Why Work With Shamieh Law's Premises Liability Attorneys in Lake Charles?
Shamieh Law is the law firm for your premises liability claim. We take great pride in helping everyday Louisianans recover from serious accidents caused by others’ failure to uphold their legal obligations.
Founding partner Ramez Shamieh was born and raised in Lake Charles and is honored to serve members of his community. Major organizations such as the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Super Lawyers have recognized Ramez’s work ethic, aggressive advocacy, and success in the courtroom.
We take a holistic approach to cases we call “Winning With Awareness,” which means we focus on people, service, and results. We treat our clients like family, as demonstrated by the testimonials we’ve received from satisfied clients. You need a hardworking and compassionate team on your side while recovering from a premises liability injury, and we go the extra mile to provide that service.
Our award-winning Lake Charles personal injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients throughout the state. Some of our case results include:
- $5 million in a negligent security lawsuit for the family of a store employee murdered by a robber after outcries for more security
- $900,000 for a client who required lumbar fusion and a spinal cord stimulator after experiencing a slip and fall at a beauty store
- $550,000 for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a slip and fall caused by caterers who spilled water
- $525,000 settlement for a client who underwent cervical fusion surgery after a slip and fall at a hotel due to improper flooring material
What Is a Premises Liability Claim in Louisiana?
A premises liability claim arises when someone is injured by an unsafe or dangerous condition on someone else’s property. Generally, this occurs when there’s a hazard on the property that the owner reasonably should have known about but failed to address. Premises liability laws hold property owners accountable to help keep guests and communities safe.
What Must an Injured Party Prove To Win a Premises Liability Case?
It’s a common misconception that simply being injured on a person’s property automatically makes them responsible for covering your injuries. In reality, there are numerous factors you must prove to win a premises liability case.
A property owner can be held liable for a premises liability claim when:
- The property owner owed the plaintiff a duty of care. Property owners have a legal obligation to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition.
- Invitees, or people invited onto the premises for business purposes, are owed the highest duty of care. Licensees, or social guests, are owed a slightly lower duty of care. Trespassers, or people on the property without permission, are generally owed a very limited duty of care.
- The property owner breached their duty of care. A breach occurs when the owner fails to take action to correct hazards that they should reasonably be aware of.
- The breach of the property owner’s duty of care caused the plaintiff’s injury. The victim must be able to prove that their injury occurred because of the property owner’s negligence.
- The injured party must have suffered actual compensable damages because of their injury. These damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other financial losses.
A premises liability attorney can help you prove every element of a premises liability claim.
Who Are the Liable Parties in a Premises Liability Claim?
Multiple parties may be liable for a premises liability claim, depending on who owns the property where the injury occurred. These parties include the following:
- Property owners
- Property managers
- Maintenance companies
- Landlords
- Homeowners
- Business owners
- Government agencies responsible for public property
It can be difficult to determine who the liable party is in a premises liability claim if it’s unclear who owns the property where you were injured. An attorney can identify all potentially liable parties to sue the right party the first time.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Lake Charles Premises Liability Accident?
If you have been injured on another person’s property, you may be eligible for damages. Two primary types of damages are available in a premises liability suit: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses you suffered from an accident, such as the following:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Past and future medical expenses
- Other costs paid out of pocket
Non-economic damages compensate you for losses without a specific monetary cost, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
In cases where the defendant acted recklessly or maliciously in causing your injury, you may be eligible for punitive damages at a judge’s discretion. These are intended to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Louisiana?
A statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Louisiana, the statute of limitations is more commonly known as the “prescriptive period.”
Recent changes to Louisiana state law extended the prescriptive period for personal injury claims, including premises liability claims, to two years. The new time limit applies only to incidents that occur after July 1, 2024. Any injuries before that date are subject to the former one-year statutory deadline. The prescriptive period for wrongful death actions, no matter when the death occurred, is also one year.
In many states, claims against the government have different statutory deadlines than claims against private parties. However, the change in Louisiana’s prescriptive period for personal injury claims means that the timeline is the same—two years—whether you’re suing a private party or the government, as long as the injury occurred after July 1, 2024.
What Are Potential Hazards That Instigate Premises Liability Cases?
Potential hazards that can cause injury and give rise to a premises liability claim include the following:
- Slippery or wet floors
- Uneven walkways
- Deteriorated stairs
- Negligent security, which can cause break-ins and violent crime
- Poor lighting
- Snow and ice hazards
- Defective sidewalks
Many premises liability claims arise from slip-and-fall injuries caused by negligently maintained floors, sidewalks, and other walkways. No matter the cause or nature of your injury, a Lake Charles premises liability lawyer can pursue the compensation you deserve against the liable party.
How Can a Lake Charles Premises Liability Lawyer Help With My Claim?
While you’re not legally required to hire an attorney to represent you in your premises liability case, it’s in your best interest to have one on your side. Recovering from an injury is difficult enough without trying to handle every aspect of a complex lawsuit alone. Our lawyers provide capable, high-quality legal representation, assuming the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing after a premises liability injury. Your attorney will:
- Help you find a doctor who will document your injuries
- Thoroughly investigate your accident
- Collect evidence from the scene of your injury
- Handle all aspects of filing your claim
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, protecting you from lowball settlement offers
- Litigate your case and represent you in court if your claim goes to trial
Contact a Lake Charles Premises Liability Lawyer at Shamieh Law
If you or your loved one were injured on someone else’s property due to the owner’s negligence, you can pursue a legal claim. The experienced attorneys at Shamieh Law are here to help you navigate your premises liability claim. Our knowledgeable property injury lawyers in Lake Charles will work with you every step of the way to fight for fair compensation.
Contact our office online or call 337-735-7150 today for your free legal consultation.
