An injury on someone else’s property can mean more than an unexpected trip to the doctor. Depending on the circumstances, recovery may involve medical treatment, time away from work, and expenses that add up while a personal injury claim is being resolved. If the injury resulted from a property owner’s negligence, a premises liability lawsuit settlement may provide compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Premises liability claims can involve much more than slip-and-fall accidents. Injuries from swimming pool accidents, inadequate security, elevator or escalator problems, and dog bites can also lead to legal claims. These cases can take months or even years to resolve, based on the severity of the injuries, available evidence, and other factors. For those who qualify, pre-settlement funding may help cover everyday expenses while they wait for their case to settle.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is the area of personal injury law that addresses injuries caused by dangerous conditions or activities on someone else’s property. Property owners and other responsible parties may be liable when they fail to meet their legal duties and that failure causes an injury. The specific duty depends on the circumstances and applicable state law.
Invitees: The Highest Duty of Care
Invitees generally include customers, clients, and other visitors invited onto a property for business purposes. Property owners typically must take reasonable steps to maintain safe premises, inspect for hazards, and address or warn visitors about dangerous conditions they know about or reasonably should discover.
Licensees: Social Visitors
Licensees generally include social guests who enter a property with permission. State law varies, so property owners in certain states may have a duty to warn them about known dangerous conditions that the visitors would not reasonably discover themselves.
Trespassers and Attractive Nuisance
Property owners generally owe more limited duties to trespassers, although the rules vary by jurisdiction. An important exception may apply to children under the attractive nuisance doctrine, which can hold property owners responsible for certain dangerous artificial conditions that may attract children, such as an unsecured swimming pool.
These distinctions can affect whether an injured person has a viable claim. Simply being injured on someone else’s property does not automatically establish liability.
Four High-Value Premises Liability Case Types
Some premises liability claims involve severe injuries, complex investigations, or multiple potentially responsible parties. Four common case type examples are:
1. Swimming Pool Accident Injuries, Timelines & Funding
Swimming pool accidents can result in drowning, near-drowning, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious harm. A pool accident lawsuit may involve inadequate fencing, unsecured pool access, missing or insufficient safety measures, a lack of appropriate supervision, or defective drain covers.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- The property owner
- pool operator or management company
- maintenance contractor
- pool equipment manufacturer
Investigators may need to review maintenance records, safety procedures, witness accounts, and product specifications to determine what happened.
Swimming pool accident lawsuits involving catastrophic injuries can take years to resolve, particularly when liability is disputed or the plaintiff’s long-term medical needs are still being evaluated. During that time, medical expenses and lost income can create substantial financial pressure. For qualifying plaintiffs, pre-settlement funding may help cover everyday expenses while their attorney continues pursuing the claim.
2. Negligent Security Injuries, Timelines & Funding
Negligent security claims involve injuries caused by criminal acts, such as assault, robbery, or sexual violence, when a property owner’s alleged failure to provide reasonable security contributed to the harm. These cases may arise at:
- Hotels
- Apartment complexes
- Parking garages
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Other commercial properties
Potential security failures include inadequate lighting, broken locks, insufficient security personnel, or malfunctioning surveillance systems. However, property owners are not automatically responsible for every crime that occurs on their premises. Liability depends on factors such as foreseeability, the property’s circumstances, and the security measures that were reasonable under the applicable law.
Negligent security lawsuit cases can take months or years to resolve because attorneys may need to investigate prior incidents, security policies, surveillance footage, and the property’s history of reported problems. Disputes over responsibility and the extent of the owner’s duty can add further complications.
For plaintiffs facing medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, pre-settlement funding may provide financial flexibility while their attorney investigates the claim and negotiates with the responsible parties or their insurers.
3. Elevator & Escalator Accident Injuries, Timelines & Funding
Elevator and escalator accidents can cause fractures, crush injuries, head trauma, and other serious injuries. Several factors may contribute to an accident, like:
- Malfunctions
- Inadequate maintenance
- Defective components
- Improper repairs
Depending on the cause, a claim may involve:
- The building owner
- Property manager
- Maintenance contractor
- Equipment manufacturer
- Another responsible party
Determining liability often requires inspection records, maintenance logs, technical evidence, and expert analysis.
Because multiple parties may be involved, elevator accident lawsuit settlements can take a year or longer to resolve, and complex litigation may extend over several years. The timeline also depends on the severity of the injuries and whether the parties dispute liability or damages.
Pre-settlement funding may help eligible plaintiffs manage living expenses and other immediate costs while experts investigate the accident and attorneys work toward a resolution.
4. Dog Bite & Animal Attack Injuries, Timelines & Funding
Dog bites and other animal attacks can cause deep wounds, infections, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma. Children may be especially vulnerable to serious injuries.
The legal rules depend on the state and circumstances. Some states impose statutory liability on dog owners for qualifying bites, while others may consider factors such as the owner’s knowledge of the animal’s behavior or negligence in controlling it.
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may provide coverage for a dog bite claim, depending on the policy, exclusions, and circumstances. Claims involving clear liability and well-documented injuries may resolve more quickly, while disputes over responsibility, coverage, or long-term effects can extend the process.
For qualifying plaintiffs dealing with treatment costs, lost income, or ongoing recovery, pre-settlement funding may provide funds for basic expenses while the claim remains pending.
Premises Liability Settlements and Pre-Settlement Funding
Premises liability settlements vary widely. The amount a plaintiff may recover depends on factors such as the strength of the liability evidence, injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, future care needs, and available insurance coverage. Multiple defendants, disputed responsibility, and ongoing treatment can also affect how long a case takes to settle.
Pre-settlement funding may give qualifying plaintiffs access to funds before their case resolves, helping them manage expenses without feeling compelled to accept an early offer simply because they need money immediately.
Sometimes incorrectly referred to as a “lawsuit loan,” this type of funding is structured differently from a personal loan. Oasis Financial evaluates the case and its potential recovery rather than relying on a plaintiff’s credit score. And if you lose your case, you owe Oasis Financial nothing. They are only paid back from your settlement. Get Funding While Your Premises Liability Claim Continues
Oasis Financial evaluates premises liability cases individually to determine whether funding may be available. If you’re dealing with financial pressure while waiting for your case to settle, learn how pre-settlement funding works and apply with Oasis Financial to find out whether you may qualify.
Find funding near you and contact us with any questions.
This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice. No attorney–client, advisory, fiduciary, or other professional relationship is formed by your access to or use of this content. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any information herein without obtaining advice from qualified professionals who are familiar with your particular circumstances. The authors and publisher make no representations or warranties, express or implied, and disclaim all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on or use of this article.
Oasis provides pre-settlement funding, also known as consumer litigation funding, to its customers through different products depending on their state of residence or cause of action. Many consumers will be provided pre-settlement funding in the form of a purchase agreement, which assigns a portion of the pending proceeds from their legal claim. Other consumers, such as those in CO, CT, MD and SC will be offered a funding in the form of a pre-settlement loan, sometimes referred to as a lawsuit loan. These transactions have important differences, therefore, consumers should carefully review and be aware of the type of transaction that is offered to them by any funding company.