Helping injured clients in Raleigh pursue full recovery in premises liability matters.

If you have been injured because a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions, you know how quickly a routine errand or social visit can turn into something far worse. When preventable hazards cause serious harm, the property owner may owe you compensation.

Burton Law Firm handles premises liability cases throughout Raleigh and Wake County. Our Raleigh, NC premises liability attorney brings more than 13 years of trial experience to every claim we accept, and we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Call today for a free case evaluation.

Premises Liability Lawyer Raleigh, NC

Who bears responsibility when an injury happens on someone else’s property?

Under North Carolina law, property owners and occupants owe a duty of care to people who enter their premises. The scope of that duty depends on the visitor’s legal status and the circumstances of the visit, but the core principle is straightforward: if you are lawfully on someone’s property and you are hurt because of a dangerous condition the owner knew about or should have known about, that owner may be liable for your injuries.

Premises liability is not limited to retail stores or public buildings. It extends to private residences, apartment complexes, office buildings, parking structures, and any other property where hazardous conditions pose a risk of harm.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Raleigh

Property owners in Raleigh have a legal obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe. When they fail, injuries follow. We represent individuals across Wake County in a wide range of premises liability claims.

• Slip and fall accidents. Wet floors, icy walkways, loose rugs, and uneven surfaces cause thousands of fall injuries every year. Property owners who fail to address these hazards or post adequate warnings can be held responsible. Winter weather in Raleigh creates particular risks when ice and snow accumulate on sidewalks and entryways.
• Inadequate security. When a property owner fails to provide reasonable security measures and a visitor is assaulted or robbed, the owner may bear liability. Apartment complexes, parking garages, and retail centers with a known history of criminal activity face heightened obligations.
• Swimming pool accidents. Unfenced pools, broken drains, and the absence of safety equipment contribute to drowning and near-drowning incidents. The CPSC identifies pool hazards as a leading cause of injury and death among children on residential and commercial properties.
• Dog bites and animal attacks. North Carolina holds dog owners responsible when their animal injures someone, particularly when the owner knew the dog had dangerous tendencies. These cases can produce severe lacerations, infections, and lasting brain injuries in children who are knocked to the ground.
• Structural defects. Collapsing decks, deteriorating staircases, and failing balcony railings can cause catastrophic injuries. Our firm has direct trial experience in structural collapse cases that resulted in life-altering harm to multiple plaintiffs.
• Parking lot and garage injuries. Poor lighting, crumbling pavement, missing guardrails, and negligent traffic design contribute to falls, pedestrian accidents, and vehicle strikes in commercial parking areas.
• Retail and restaurant injuries. Spilled liquids, obstructed aisles, and broken fixtures in grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers are common sources of premises liability claims. Establishments that serve alcohol also face potential liability when intoxicated patrons injure themselves or others on the premises.
• Construction site injuries. Open excavations, unguarded machinery, and unmarked hazards on active construction sites pose risks to workers and bystanders. Property owners who allow unsafe conditions on their land may be liable, along with the contractor. OSHA reports that falls remain the leading cause of fatal injuries in the construction industry.

Why Choose Burton Law Firm for Premises Liability in Raleigh, NC?

Trial Experience That Property Owners Take Seriously

Jason Burton has been representing plaintiffs in serious injury cases since 2012. A fifth-generation trial lawyer, he graduated valedictorian and summa cum laude from Elon University School of Law. He carries a 10.0 Avvo rating, has earned the Rising Star designation from North Carolina Super Lawyers, and was selected among the Top 10 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers. His lifetime membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum reflects a record of significant recoveries.

Burton Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients in premises liability, wrongful death, and other personal injury matters. Mr. Burton grew up watching his father practice insurance defense, and that exposure to how insurers build their cases informs every strategy we develop. When the other side knows your attorney has tried cases to verdict, the settlement conversation changes.

Every premises liability case we accept in Raleigh is handled on a contingency fee basis. No retainer. No hourly billing. Our personal injury lawyer in Raleigh, NC collects a fee only if we secure compensation for you.

What Is Important to Understand About a Premises Liability Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Premises Liability Cases

Compensation in a premises liability case falls into two categories.

Economic damages reimburse you for costs that can be documented with receipts and records: hospital bills, surgical expenses, physical therapy, prescription medications, lost wages, and any reduction in your future earning capacity. In cases involving permanent injury, such as spinal injuries from a fall or burn injuries from a fire code violation, these figures can climb significantly over a lifetime of care.

Non-economic damages compensate you for the things that do not come with a receipt. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life all qualify. North Carolina does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, though certain exceptions apply in specific contexts, such as medical malpractice.

To recover, you must show that the property owner owed you a duty of care, that a dangerous condition existed on the property, that the owner knew or should have known about it, and that the condition directly caused your injury.

What Are Important Aspects of a Premises Liability Case?

Several factors unique to North Carolina law affect how premises liability claims are investigated and pursued. Understanding these early makes a meaningful difference.

• North Carolina classifies visitors into categories that determine the duty of care owed to them. Invitees, such as customers in a store, are owed the highest duty. Licensees, such as social guests, are owed a lesser but still meaningful duty. Trespassers are generally afforded the least protection, with limited exceptions for children under the attractive-nuisance doctrine.
• Contributory negligence remains the law in North Carolina. If the injured person is found to bear even a small share of responsibility for the incident, recovery may be barred. This means evidence preservation, witness statements, and scene documentation must begin as soon as possible after the injury occurs.
• Property owners sometimes argue that the hazard was “open and obvious” and that the injured person should have seen it and avoided it. This defense does not automatically defeat a claim, but it arises frequently and must be addressed with strong factual evidence.
• Cases involving nursing home injuries may overlap with medical malpractice claims when the harm stems from both unsafe physical conditions and inadequate patient care. The NC DHHS Division of Health Service Regulation maintains facility inspection records that can support these claims.

What Is the Premises Liability Case Timeline?

Premises liability cases in Raleigh follow a general sequence, though each one moves at its own pace depending on the severity of the injury and the willingness of the property owner’s insurer to negotiate.

• Free initial consultation with a premises liability lawyer in Raleigh, NC to evaluate the facts and identify potential claims.
• Investigation of the property, including photographs, maintenance records, prior incident reports, and building code compliance history.
• Collection and review of medical records, bills, and documentation of lost income and other financial losses.
• Demand and negotiation with the property owner’s insurance carrier. Many cases resolve during this phase when the evidence clearly supports the claim.
• Filing a lawsuit and entering formal discovery if settlement discussions do not produce a fair result. Depositions, interrogatories, and document production follow.

Early action improves your outcome. Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Hazards get repaired before anyone documents them. The sooner you consult an attorney, the stronger your claim.

What Should You Bring to Your Premises Liability Consultation?

Gathering the right materials before your first meeting allows us to assess your claim and advise you on the next steps.

• Photographs or video of the hazardous condition, your injuries, and the surrounding area. If you did not take photos at the scene, write down everything you remember about the conditions.
• Medical records and bills from treatment related to the injury, including emergency department visits, follow-up appointments, and any ongoing therapy.
• Incident reports filed with the property owner, manager, or business where the injury occurred. Many businesses generate internal reports after on-site injuries.
• Contact information for any witnesses who saw the incident or the condition that caused it.
• Records of any communication with the property owner’s insurance company, including adjuster names and claim numbers.

There is no fee for this initial consultation, and what you tell us remains confidential.

What Are Important North Carolina Legal Resources for Premises Liability Cases?

North Carolina law governs several aspects of premises liability claims. The following resources address the most commonly implicated statutes.

• The statute of limitations for premises liability claims in North Carolina is three years from the date of the injury. This deadline is established by N.C. General Statutes § 1-52 and applies to most personal injury actions in the state.
• North Carolina’s contributory negligence standard bars recovery if the injured party is found to be at fault to any degree. This is among the strictest negligence rules in the country, making early investigation essential in every case.
• Damages in premises liability cases may include both economic and non-economic losses. There is no general cap on damages in most personal injury cases in North Carolina, unlike the limitations imposed in certain medical malpractice actions.
• Local building codes and property maintenance ordinances in Raleigh can serve as evidence of a property owner’s duty and any failure to meet it.

Reach Out to Burton Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

If a property owner’s negligence caused your injury, Burton Law Firm is ready to review the facts and advise you on your options. We accept premises liability cases on a contingency basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Your initial consultation is free, and everything discussed is confidential. Contact us to learn your options from our Raleigh premises liability attorney.