Standing Up for Your Rights After a Property Injury
A property owner in Mandeville must keep walkways, aisles, stairs, and common areas reasonably safe. When they fail to fix hazards or warn visitors, serious injuries follow. If you were hurt at a grocery store on Highway 190, a restaurant near the Mandeville Trailhead, a retailer by the Causeway approach, or a rental on the Northshore, you may have a premises liability claim under Louisiana law.
With nearly 200 trials behind us and a reputation for delivering results on both sides of the courtroom, The Truitt Law Firm is ready to put our experience to work for you. Our Mandeville premises liability team understands how local insurers, adjusters, and defense firms evaluate these cases in St. Tammany Parish and the 22nd Judicial District Court.
Request a free case review with our Mandeville premises liability lawyer. We will outline the next steps today.
What Counts As Premises Liability in Mandeville
Premises liability is the body of law that holds property owners, occupiers, and managers responsible when unsafe conditions cause injuries. These cases often involve hazards that could have been repaired, inspected, or warned about with reasonable care. Common examples in and around Mandeville include:
Slip and trip hazards
Wet floors in supermarkets without signage, uneven sidewalk slabs near Lakefront paths, curled or unsecured floor mats at retail entrances, spilled foods in convenience stores, or broken tiles in restroom areas.
Defective stairs and walkways Rotten wooden steps at short-term rentals, missing handrails on exterior staircases, loose treads, or crumbling concrete transitions in parking lots along Florida Street.
Poor lighting and security Dim lots behind shopping centers, malfunctioning locks, or broken cameras that increase the risk of assaults, thefts, or falls.
Construction and maintenance negligence Unmarked trenches, cords across aisles, debris left in customer paths, or contractors who fail to cordon off active work areas near storefronts.
Swimming pool and recreational injuries Unfenced pools, missing depth markers, broken pool gates, or slick decking at private residences or community amenities in neighborhoods from Marigny to Lewisburg.
Dog bites and animal incidents Dogs not properly restrained on private property or common areas where owners knew or should have known about dangerous tendencies.
How Louisiana Law Works
Louisiana has specific rules for property claims. Merchants have a statutory duty to keep aisles, passageways, and floors in a reasonably safe condition. Injury victims often must prove the merchant created the condition or had actual or constructive notice, and that the condition presented an unreasonable risk of harm that was not obvious. More broadly, property owners and managers owe a duty of reasonable care to those lawfully on the premises. Comparative fault can reduce recovery if a visitor shares some responsibility, and most injury claims have a one year deadline to file in Louisiana courts. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and options.
Building a Strong Premises Liability Claim
Winning these cases requires early investigation, careful documentation, and strategic presentation. Our approach is designed to meet the way insurers and defense teams evaluate risk in St. Tammany Parish.
Immediate site investigation We work to secure photos and video, pinpoint lighting conditions, measure tread heights and slope, and identify code or policy violations. Where available, we request surveillance footage before it is overwritten.
Notice and inspection records We look for past incident reports, employee sweep logs, maintenance tickets, and contractor records that show how long a hazard existed and what steps were taken to fix it.
Medical proof and causation We coordinate with your medical providers to document diagnoses, imaging, treatment plans, restrictions, and future care needs. This clarifies how the property hazard caused your injuries.
Economic and non economic damages We calculate medical bills, lost wages or business income, diminished earning capacity, and out of pocket costs. We also present pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and other human losses the law allows.
Evidence You Can Start Preserving Today
If you can, do the following after an incident in Mandeville:
Photograph the hazard as you found it, including nearby signs, lighting, and floor conditions. Report the incident to the property manager and ask for a copy of the written report. Gather names and contact information for witnesses and employees on duty. Save your shoes and clothing worn at the time of a slip or trip. Keep all medical discharge papers, prescriptions, and bills.
Common Accident Locations Around Mandeville
Knowing local venues helps us anticipate defenses and evidence sources.
Grocery and retail stores Aisle spill cases often turn on sweep logs, camera angles, and mat placement at entrances. Stores along Highway 190 and near the Causeway collect high foot traffic and frequent weather tracked in from parking lots.
Restaurants and bars Servers carry liquids across tight spaces. Grease or condensation can create slick floors. We analyze floor material, mats, and bus station drainage.
Apartment complexes and rentals Landlords must maintain stairs, railings, and common areas. We review lease terms, work order histories, and vendor maintenance schedules for complexes off East and West Causeway Approach.
Short term rentals Hosts and property managers must provide reasonably safe premises and warn of known defects. We investigate check in instructions, local house rules, and past guest complaints.
Public spaces and parks Boardwalks, playgrounds, and facilities in places like Fontainebleau State Park or the Lakefront may involve distinct procedures and notice requirements. Early counsel is important to identify deadlines and claim steps.
Injuries We Commonly See
Premises incidents can cause:
Head injuries and concussions from sudden falls Back and neck injuries, including herniated discs Fractures to wrists, ankles, hips, or shoulders Soft tissue injuries that limit mobility and work capacity Lacerations, dental injuries, and scarring
What Your Case May Be Worth
No attorney can promise a specific dollar amount. Value depends on how the hazard is proven, the clarity of notice, the severity and duration of medical harm, and how the injury limits your work and daily life. We prepare every claim as if it will be presented in court in Covington, which strengthens negotiation leverage with insurers. With nearly 200 trials behind us and a reputation for delivering results on both sides of the courtroom, The Truitt Law Firm is ready to put our experience to work for you.
Factors That Influence Compensation
Liability strength Clear proof of a dangerous condition and notice to the property owner usually increases settlement value.
Medical evidence Objective imaging, specialist opinions, and consistent treatment records help quantify damages.
Impact on work Time missed, reduced hours, or the need to change roles or professions affects lost wage claims.
Future needs Surgery recommendations, therapy, or long term accommodations can be modeled into a life care plan.
Comparative fault If the defense argues you were distracted or the condition was open and obvious, it can reduce recovery. We counter with human factors analysis and site specific measurements where appropriate.
Insurance Company Tactics To Expect
Insurers often deny or delay claims by asserting they had no notice of the hazard, arguing the condition was open and obvious, or pushing for recorded statements early. They may request your shoes, downplay pain, or cite gaps in treatment. We prepare you for each step, handle adjuster communications, and press for full disclosure of inspection, cleaning, and maintenance protocols.
Our Process From Consultation To Resolution
Free case review We listen to your story, outline next steps, and identify urgent evidence.
Investigation and preservation We send preservation letters, request video, and secure photos, measurements, and records.
Medical coordination We help organize care and documentation so your recovery and proof of damages stay aligned.
Negotiation and litigation We press for a fair settlement and are ready to file in the 22nd Judicial District Court if needed.
Trial readiness Our courtroom experience helps us frame the case for jurors from St. Tammany Parish, which can improve resolution opportunities at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a fall or injury on someone else’s property in Mandeville?
Report the incident in writing to the manager or landlord, take photos of the exact hazard and the surrounding area, collect witness names, and seek medical care right away. Then contact a premises liability attorney to preserve video and records before they are lost.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Louisiana?
Most injury claims in Louisiana must be filed within one year from the date of injury. Certain claims involving public entities may have additional steps or shorter notice requirements, so acting quickly is important.
Do I have a claim if the property posted a warning sign?
A warning may help a property owner, but it does not automatically absolve responsibility. The sign must be visible, accurate, and timely, and the underlying condition still must be reasonably addressed. We evaluate whether safer alternatives were available.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Louisiana uses comparative fault. Your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you may still recover damages. We work to show why the hazard presented an unreasonable risk and why the owner’s conduct was the primary cause.
Will my case go to trial?
Most premises cases resolve through settlement, but some require a lawsuit and a trial to achieve fair compensation. Our firm prepares every case for court in St. Tammany Parish, which often improves settlement outcomes.
Who can be held responsible in a premises case?
Potentially liable parties include property owners, tenants, property managers, maintenance contractors, and in merchant cases, the business operating the premises. Identifying all responsible parties early helps protect your rights.
What types of compensation can I seek?
You may pursue medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages recognized by Louisiana law. We document both current losses and future needs.
Protect Your Rights After A Property Injury In Mandeville
Premises cases move quickly, and crucial evidence can disappear in days. If an unsafe condition in Mandeville or the surrounding Northshore caused your injury, take the next step now. Our team understands Louisiana premises liability and how local courts and insurers evaluate these claims.
