Can You Sue a Church for an Injury?

What Is Premises Liability?

Under premises liability law, the property owner is held accountable for any injuries that a visitor, also known as a licensee, may sustain while on the property. Premises liability is applicable to both private and public property. However, premise liability claims are not easy to win and require the plaintiff to satisfy several factors in order to be successful.

In general, if you suffer a personal injury on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury, pain and suffering, and other losses. Like other personal injury lawsuits, you will need to satisfy the elements of negligence. Simply put, you’ll need to establish a property owner’s duty of care to determine whether their breach of duty caused your injury. 

In order for your premises liability claims to be successful, you must establish the following elements:

• There was a dangerous condition that existed on the premises
• The property owners should have known about this dangerous or hazardous condition
• An accident occurred, and the accident was the result of the dangerous or hazardous conditions on the property
• The victim sustained injuries and other damages because of the accident

How Do Premises Liability Laws Apply To Churches? 

Premises liability laws do, in fact, apply to churches and other religious institutions. If an accident occurs on the property of a religious institution, that institution is often liable to pay for any damages that may have occurred on their property. While you can sue for your injury in a church, it is unsurprising that suing a religious institution can be more difficult than suing a non-religious institution. 

This is why it is essential to contact an experienced premises liability lawyer when trying to seek compensation for your church injuries. Having an attorney represent your claims ensures that you can be properly guided through this difficult process while having your rights represented in an effort to receive maximum compensation for your injuries. 

For example, while the church itself may not necessarily be immune from a claim, the uncompensated directors of the nonprofit institution typically have immunity from legal liability. This means that, although a personal injury claim can be brought against the church’s premises, those who are in charge of the property will be protected against the claims.  

Common Injuries That Occur on Church Premises

Similar to any other premises liability case, plenty of different types of injuries can arise from these incidents, regardless of whether you’re on church premises or in a local shop. Some of the most common types of injuries that occur under premises liability law include: 

• Injuries on stairs 
• Falling objects and other hazards 
• Slip and falls due to hazardous floor conditions, poor lighting, and other obstructions
• Pedestrian accidents due to uneven pavements
• Fires 
• Inadequate security measures or lack of security 
• Accidents caused by other negligence 

A Premises Liability Attorney Can Help You Succeed

Regardless of the extent of your injuries and the location in which they occurred, it is always a good idea to seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney. Working with a dedicated and experienced premises liability lawyer in Las Vegas can be essential to having a successful outcome in your case. 

Many elements go into a premises liability claim, and an attorney with a reputable track record can help ensure your claim is well supported with pertinent evidence. Our attorneys will ensure the proper steps are taken on your behalf, such as collecting the necessary evidence, gathering witness testimonies, building your legal argument, and representing your interests in negotiations or trial. The sooner you contact our legal team, the sooner we can get to work on winning your claims against the negligent religious institution.