Premises Liability Attorney Kansas City

Missouri Premises Liability Claims 

If you were injured on someone else’s property in Kansas City, you may be entitled to compensation. Missouri law requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions for guests, customers, and other lawful visitors. When they fail to do so, serious accidents can occur—often leaving victims with medical bills, lost income, long-term pain, and uncertainty about what steps to take next.

At Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, we’ve been helping people recover full and fair monetary damages for accident injuries and wrongful death since 1949. If you’ve been injured in an accident or lost a loved one due to someone’s negligence, we have the experience to assist you. 

Contact our premises liability attorneys in Kansas City, MO for a free consultation!

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is an area of personal injury law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible when someone is injured because of unsafe or hazardous conditions on their property. Whether the danger comes from poor maintenance, hidden hazards, inadequate security, or building code violations, victims have legal rights.

Premises liability applies to injuries occurring on:

• Residential property
• Commercial businesses
• Parking lots
• Hotels and apartment complexes
• Retail stores and supermarkets
• Entertainment venues
• Public sidewalks and walkways
• Construction sites
• Industrial sites
• Oil and gas fields

If your injury occurred because a property owner failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition, you may have a valid premises liability claim.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability covers many types of incidents. Some of the most common cases we handle include:

• Slip and Falls & Trip and Falls: These occur due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, loose mats, damaged stairs, icy sidewalks, and other hazards.
• Negligent Security: When inadequate security leads to assaults, robberies, or attacks in parking lots, hotels, apartment complexes, or businesses.
• Dog Bites & Animal Attacks: Owners can be liable when their animals cause harm.
• Swimming Pool Accidents: Including near-drowning, drain entrapment, or lack of proper supervision and fencing.
• Falling Objects: Often occurring in retail stores, warehouses, or construction areas.
• Unsafe Buildings & Structural Failures: Such as collapsing decks, inadequate lighting, or broken handrails.
• Elevator & Escalator Accidents: Often caused by improper maintenance or mechanical failure.

If your injury occurred due to one of these hazards—or any unsafe condition—Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman can evaluate your claim and explain your legal options.

Missouri Premises Liability Laws

Missouri premises liability laws determine when and how an injured person can recover compensation from a negligent property owner. Key legal principles include:

Classification of Visitors

Missouri divides visitors into categories:

• Invitees — Customers, tenants, or guests invited for business purposes. Owners owe them the highest duty of care.
• Licensees — Social guests. Owners must warn them of known hazards.
• Trespassers — Owners generally owe limited duties, with some exceptions for children (attractive nuisance doctrine).

Comparative Fault

Missouri follows pure comparative negligence, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you were partially at fault—but you can still recover damages even if you were mostly at fault.

Statute of Limitations

Premises liability claims in Missouri must generally be filed within five years of the injury. Filing sooner helps preserve evidence and strengthens your case.

Our Kansas City premises liability attorney can help you understand how these laws apply to your situation.

When Is a Missouri Property Owner Liable for Injuries on Their Property?

To hold a property owner liable, you must show that:

1. A hazardous condition existed on the property,
2. The owner knew—or should have known—about the hazard,
3. They failed to repair it, remove it, or warn visitors, and
4. Their negligence caused your injuries.

Common examples of property owner negligence include:

• Failing to clean spills or ice in a reasonable time
• Not repairing broken railings, steps, or flooring
• Inadequate lighting in hallways, stairwells, or parking lots
• Not providing proper security in high-risk areas
• Ignoring building code violations
• Allowing dangerous animals to roam freely

If the owner’s failure to act caused your injuries, you may be eligible for compensation.

Compensation from a Premises Liability Claim

Victims of dangerous property conditions may be entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages, such as:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills
• Emergency room treatment
• Physical therapy
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or impairment

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one died due to a hazardous property condition, families may recover funeral expenses, loss of support, and other damages through a wrongful death claim.

At Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, we fight to ensure clients receive the full compensation they deserve—not just what the insurance company offers.

Premises Liability Claim FAQs

How do I know if I have a premises liability claim?

If you were injured due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you may have a claim. An attorney can evaluate the evidence to determine liability.

What if I was partially at fault?

Missouri’s comparative fault laws allow you to recover compensation even if you share some blame.

Should I talk to the insurance company?

Not without legal guidance. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim.

How long will my case take?

Case timelines vary depending on the severity of injuries, complexity of liability, and insurance negotiations.

Do I need a lawyer?

Premises liability cases can be complex. A lawyer can investigate the incident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and protect your rights.

Representation for Your Missouri Premises Liability Claim

Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman is one of the Kansas City region's prominent personal injury litigation law firms. Our Kansas City injury attorneys have earned recognition as Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America in our legal community. We work as a team to ensure every client receives the benefit of many years of trial innovation, experience, and skill.

You can call our Kansas City premises liability attorneys at (816) 542-5999 to arrange a free consultation. If you can’t come to us, we’ll try our best to come to you. Contact us today.