Premises Liability

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If you are a landowner or lessee, as many of our clients are, then you are aware of the claims plaintiffs may make regarding your property or the operations that occur on your property.  Our premises liability group is ready to address any type of claims that may arise. There is no "one defense fits all.” However, immediate and full investigation can lead to early resolution of such claims before defense costs begin to grow. FormanWatkins recognizes the importance of collaborating with its clients at the outset of a premises liability claim to determine the relevant facts, evidence and witnesses necessary to assess plaintiff’s claims.  This collaborative investigative effort will also differentiate any legitimate claims from those in which the claimant is simply exaggerating his injuries in search of a payday. Our attorneys fully recognize that you may not be liable simply because legitimate injuries may have occurred on premises you own or lease. Instead, claimants must be able to show particular facts before a landowner may be responsible for any injuries, and FormanWatkins offers a wealth of experience, reflecting our capability and consistency in defending such claims while maintaining reasonable defense costs.

At FormanWatkins, we let nothing stand in our way. We give everything we have to successfully defending our clients, no matter the situation. We know that our clients’ success depends on constant communication with them to understand the premises involved.  This collaborative effort allows FormanWatkins to establish and foster a strong working relationship with on-site management and employees. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the issues they face and how the business works. We don't stop until we know the facts inside and out, so we conduct a complete investigation of both the plaintiff and the alleged events in order to uncover and eliminate fraudulent and unsupported claims.

Premises liability defense cases involve an array of circumstances, facilities and applicable law. FormanWatkins has defended small businesses, national retailers, hotel chains, paper companies, manufacturing operations, and apartment complexes, among others. Our attorneys have experience defending claims alleging failure to warn of dangerous conditions, insufficient inspection and maintenance, inadequate security, and wrongful death. Plaintiffs’ claims are typically lost wages, medical expenses, and punitive damages.

Armed with extensive knowledge about the location, the plaintiff, and the specific facts of each lawsuit, we work hand-in-hand with our client to formulate a unique defense, employ appropriate experts, and utilize the applicable law to defend the cases. However, we know every case is not ideal for trial. With that premise in mind, we give a fair and honest evaluation, leveraging all information we have cultivated to achieve the most advantageous result for our clients. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve settlement, motion practice, or trial. Our ultimate goal is to do what is best for our clients and, at the end of the day, their business should be stronger because of FormanWatkins.