When a Property Owner's Negligence Leaves You Injured, Accountability Is Not Optional
Utah law is clear: property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for the people who enter their premises. When they ignore that duty and someone is hurt, responsibility does not disappear simply because the injury happened on their property.
At Carlson Injury Law, we represent injury victims across Davis County, Weber County, and throughout Utah who were hurt because a property owner failed to act. Our attorneys are litigators — we build cases prepared for trial, which means insurers and defense teams take every claim we file seriously.
Utah Property Owners Have a Duty — We Prove When It Was Ignored
Under Utah law, property owners are required to address hazards they knew about or reasonably should have discovered. That standard applies to homeowners, landlords, commercial businesses, government entities, and any other party responsible for maintaining a property. When a dangerous condition is allowed to persist — a wet floor, a broken step, an unsecured animal — and someone is injured as a result, the law provides a path to accountability.
Many clients come to us uncertain whether their situation rises to the level of a legal claim. If you were hurt on someone else's property and the condition that caused your injury was one the owner knew or should have known about, you likely have grounds for a premises liability claim. We will evaluate your situation at no cost and give you an honest answer.
Two Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Premises liability covers a range of situations in which a property owner's negligence causes harm. Our firm handles these cases throughout Northern Utah and statewide.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Wet floors, uneven pavement, unmarked hazards, and poorly maintained stairways cause serious injuries every day. Property owners who fail to address these conditions — or fail to warn visitors of known dangers — can be held legally responsible. Our slip and fall practice covers incidents at retail stores, apartment complexes, restaurants, sidewalks, parking lots, and private residences across Utah.
Dog Bite Injuries
Utah follows a strict liability standard for dog bites: owners are responsible for injuries caused by their animal regardless of whether the dog had a prior history of aggression. If you or a family member were bitten or attacked, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical care, lost income, and the lasting impact of the injury.
How We Document Your Injury So the Evidence Speaks for Itself
One of the most common concerns we hear from premises liability clients is the fear that their injury will be minimized or dismissed. Insurance companies routinely challenge the severity of injuries sustained on their policyholders' properties. Our response to that is documentation so thorough it cannot be ignored.
We work with medical experts to establish the full scope of your injury — not just the immediate treatment, but the long-term physical, financial, and personal consequences. Every element of your claim is supported by evidence before we make a demand. The goal is a record that stands on its own, regardless of what the opposing side argues.
- Medical expert analysis of injury cause and long-term impact
- Photographic and video documentation of the hazardous condition
- Incident reports, maintenance logs, and prior complaint records
- Witness statements and surveillance footage where available
- Economic documentation of lost wages and ongoing care costs
What You Need to Know Before Your Deadline Passes
Utah's statute of limitations for most premises liability claims is four years from the date of injury. While four years may sound like ample time, the evidence that supports your claim — surveillance footage, maintenance records, witness recollections — degrades quickly. The sooner a claim is investigated, the stronger the foundation we can build.
There are also situations where shorter deadlines apply, particularly when a government entity owns or controls the property where the injury occurred. If you are unsure how the statute of limitations applies to your specific situation, the right answer is to contact us now rather than wait.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Premises Liability Claims
Who is responsible if I am injured on someone else's property in Utah?
In Utah, a property owner may be held legally responsible if they knew or reasonably should have known about a dangerous condition on their property and failed to address it or warn visitors. Responsibility can extend to homeowners, landlords, businesses, and in some cases government entities. Whether the owner's duty of care applied to you depends on how you were classified as a visitor — an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser — and the circumstances of the incident.
What if I was partially at fault for my own injury?
Utah follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you are found to be partially responsible for the incident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. As long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault, you may still recover damages. We assess fault honestly and build the strongest possible case for our clients within that framework.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Utah?
Most premises liability claims in Utah must be filed within four years of the date of injury. However, claims involving government-owned property may require a notice of claim to be filed within one year. Because deadlines vary by circumstance, we recommend contacting an attorney as soon as possible after an injury to ensure your rights are preserved.
What types of injuries qualify for a premises liability claim?
Premises liability claims can arise from a wide range of injuries — fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries are among the most common. The type of injury matters less than whether it was caused by a hazardous condition the property owner had a duty to address. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, a free consultation will give you a clear answer.
Do I need to prove the property owner knew about the hazard?
You do not need to prove the owner had actual knowledge of the hazard. Utah law also holds property owners responsible when they should have known about a dangerous condition through reasonable inspection and maintenance. Proving constructive knowledge — what the owner should have known — is a central part of how we build premises liability cases.
Ready to Find Out Whether a Property Owner Is Responsible for What Happened to You?
Our attorneys have represented injury victims across Utah for years, and we are frequently retained by other law firms to try cases that demand courtroom experience. We represent only victims of negligence — never the parties responsible for causing harm. If you were injured on someone else's property in Utah, we will evaluate your claim at no cost, explain your options plainly, and pursue accountability on your behalf.