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Premises Liability & Unsafe Conditions

Serious injuries caused by unsafe property conditions may create legal responsibility for the owner or manager of the property.

4%

Percentage of personal injury cases that go to court.

$90k

Median award value in premises liability cases.

Understanding Premises Liability

Property owners and those responsible for maintaining property have a duty to keep premises reasonably safe. When hazardous or dangerous conditions are ignored or inadequately addressed, serious injury can occur.

Donelan Law represents individuals harmed by unsafe property conditions in select cases involving significant injury.

These cases may involve:

  • Slip, trip, or fall hazards
  • Poor lighting or inadequate security creating foreseeable harm
  • Unsafe stairs, railings, or structural conditions
  • Neglected hazards such as ice, spills, or broken flooring
  • Dog bites or pool-related incidents

Legal Responsibility and Serious Injury

All business owners have an obligation to ensure that their premises are safe and that their staff are trained to respond appropriately to hazards and emergencies.

When these institutions fail to perform their responsibilities, members of the public can suffer severe injuries. Holding responsible parties accountable can provide meaningful support and a path forward for an injured person during a challenging time.

Careful Evaluation and Select Representation

Not every accident creates a legal claim. Donelan Law intentionally limits representation to matters involving:

  • Meaningful physical injury
  • Clear evidence of negligence or unsafe conditions
  • Situations where legal action may provide real accountability or recovery

Each case is reviewed individually with close attention to facts, liability, and long-term impact.

Case Results

$3m

Settlement
Serious physical child Injury resulting from negligence of a childcare facility

$320k

Settlement
Unjust enrichment from
improper business dealings.

$250k

Settlement
Nursing home failed to provide adequate medical care after patient fall.

Client Testimonials

I had an extremely positive experience working with Sarah and Erica at Donelan Law. They constantly stayed on top of my case and never let anything slip past them. I truly felt that they were invested in the case and my well-being throughout the process.

Avery L.

My experience at Donelan Law with Sarah was amazing. This was my first time pursuing charges in any way on my own. I was only 19-20, and Sarah and her coworkers walked me through every step with patience and kindness. They communicated with me as they went through the process, and kept me informed the whole time. Which was a huge comfort because I was so so nervous.

Not only were they professional, fast, along with strong communication, but they were also so friendly. I felt comfortable opening up to them which was really important in a case like mine.  It’s truly a place built on a foundation of cutthroat kindness, with people who want to work WITH you not just for you.

Again, I had an amazing experience with Donelan law, considering my situation things couldn’t have gone better. She won my case, prioritized my emotions, properly prepared me for court and taking the stand. As far as being a lawyer goes I genuinely cannot find one thing she needs to improve on. I would refer anyone to her and her team!

– Allyssa B.

I reached out to Donelan Law for help in navigating an extremely stressful and complicated issue involving my daughter. My daughter was the victim of a sexual assault and I did not know where to begin. Sarah walked us through every step of the process. She explained to us every step we would need to take and every possible outcome we could face, good or bad. She took her time with my daughter, always checking in, making sure she was okay throughout the process. Her advice was invaluable as we worked towards a resolution. I do not know where we would be today without her and everyone at the office. She truly cared about my daughter and our family. I simply cannot say enough good things about her. 

– L.W.

Highly recommend Sarah. She is down-to-earth yet professional. Handled our situation with class and was great to work with. Highly recommend.

– Mark H.

Sarah and her team are amazing. Sarah took the time to explain the legal process in ways that I could understand and always kept me up to date on everything that was happening. I was also able to contact her via call or text and she was always getting back to me very quickly. She knows these cases are very sensitive and personal and she takes great care in her approach to talking about everything. Sarah was able to get me a settlement from my childhood sexual abuser and we settled the case before trial. Without her help I would have been so lost. Thank you Sarah (and the rest of the team) for your help! You made the entire process as easy as possible for me and I truly appreciate it. Thank you so much!

– C.F.

Donelan Law never let me down!  Sarah was a wealth of information and knowledge.  She put up with all my worries and frustrations.  She was definitely my voice of reason!  It took the better part of 2 yrs to settle the case, but Sarah was with me every step of the way. I cannot begin to express how thankful I was to have Sarah on my team!  Even though I hope I never encounter more legal issues, Sarah would be my 1st choice, hands down.  Many thanks for the tireless commitment for me and my case.

– Anonymous

I had an extremely positive experience working with Sarah and Erica at Donelan Law. They constantly stayed on top of my case and never let anything slip past them. I truly felt that they were invested in the case and my well-being throughout the process.

Avery L.

My experience at Donelan Law with Sarah was amazing. This was my first time pursuing charges in any way on my own. I was only 19-20, and Sarah and her coworkers walked me through every step with patience and kindness. They communicated with me as they went through the process, and kept me informed the whole time. Which was a huge comfort because I was so so nervous.

Not only were they professional, fast, along with strong communication, but they were also so friendly. I felt comfortable opening up to them which was really important in a case like mine.  It’s truly a place built on a foundation of cutthroat kindness, with people who want to work WITH you not just for you.

Again, I had an amazing experience with Donelan law, considering my situation things couldn’t have gone better. She won my case, prioritized my emotions, properly prepared me for court and taking the stand. As far as being a lawyer goes I genuinely cannot find one thing she needs to improve on. I would refer anyone to her and her team!

– Allyssa B.

I reached out to Donelan Law for help in navigating an extremely stressful and complicated issue involving my daughter. My daughter was the victim of a sexual assault and I did not know where to begin. Sarah walked us through every step of the process. She explained to us every step we would need to take and every possible outcome we could face, good or bad. She took her time with my daughter, always checking in, making sure she was okay throughout the process. Her advice was invaluable as we worked towards a resolution. I do not know where we would be today without her and everyone at the office. She truly cared about my daughter and our family. I simply cannot say enough good things about her. 

– L.W.

Highly recommend Sarah. She is down-to-earth yet professional. Handled our situation with class and was great to work with. Highly recommend.

– Mark H.

Sarah and her team are amazing. Sarah took the time to explain the legal process in ways that I could understand and always kept me up to date on everything that was happening. I was also able to contact her via call or text and she was always getting back to me very quickly. She knows these cases are very sensitive and personal and she takes great care in her approach to talking about everything. Sarah was able to get me a settlement from my childhood sexual abuser and we settled the case before trial. Without her help I would have been so lost. Thank you Sarah (and the rest of the team) for your help! You made the entire process as easy as possible for me and I truly appreciate it. Thank you so much!

– C.F.

Donelan Law never let me down!  Sarah was a wealth of information and knowledge.  She put up with all my worries and frustrations.  She was definitely my voice of reason!  It took the better part of 2 yrs to settle the case, but Sarah was with me every step of the way. I cannot begin to express how thankful I was to have Sarah on my team!  Even though I hope I never encounter more legal issues, Sarah would be my 1st choice, hands down.  Many thanks for the tireless commitment for me and my case.

– Anonymous

What Sets Donelan Law Apart

Donelan Law approaches serious injury cases with careful evaluation, clear communication, and focused advocacy.

Our clients receive:

  • Selective, detail-driven case review
  • Honest guidance about whether a claim should proceed
  • Representation centered on accountability and fair recovery

The goal is to pursue meaningful legal action only where it truly serves the injured person.

Discuss Your Options

Frequently asked questions and answers

There are many differences between criminal and civil cases:

1) Who decides to pursue charges.
In criminal cases, the State of Missouri or the federal government decides whether to pursue charges against a person when they have committed a crime. 

In a civil action, the victim or their legal representative chooses to pursue legal action against the person or entity who caused them harm. 

2) The kinds of justice and remuneration a case can achieve.
In a civil case, the victim usually seeks monetary compensation for damages.

In a criminal cases, the courts may award monetary restitution, but also can impose punishments such as fines, imprisonment, community service, court-ordered treatment, or other remedies.

3) The Standard of Proof required to achieve a result.
In civil cases, the standard of proof is generally lower than in criminal cases.

4) Impact on Related Cases
A criminal conviction can sometimes make the civil case more likely to be successful, but it is not necessary to file criminal charges. Even if a defendant is found not guilty in a criminal case, you still may be able to file a civil action against the abuser or a third party.

A victim can pursue a civil action whether or not a criminal case has also been filed. 

It depends on several factors.

In most personal injury cases, Donelan Law works on a contingency basis. This means you do not pay a fee for the services unless we win and make a successful recovery. A personal injury case is a civil legal claim brought by an individual seeking compensation for wrongs committed by an individual or entities who caused them preventable harms and losses (i.e., suing an abuser or third party for money damages).

In other types of cases, Donelan Law can be hired for an hourly rate or a flat fee.  For example, representation for obtaining an order of protection is often based on an hourly fee or a flat fee.  After reviewing the facts of your case, we will let you know the initial retainer fee to open a case and candidly discuss potential costs from the beginning and throughout your case.

In many types of cases, Donelan Law only receives a fee after a monetary recovery has been made.  However, in some legal battles with abusers, having an experienced attorney can make all the difference. Having an attorney as your advocate and legal representative can better protect your time, money, mental health and safety.  Sarah has over 10 years of experience fighting for survivors of sexual and domestic violence and she understands the real dangers of some abusers and knows the complicated legal system.

Donelan Law understands that abusers can wreak havoc on all areas of your life, and you may need support with several issues.  We are here to help you navigate whatever legal issues you are facing or make sure you find the right help. This might include defamation claims, criminal charges, and housing issues. 

Please note: Donelan Law does not generally represent clients in family law cases (i.e., divorce and custody cases).

Premises liability is the area of law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible when someone is injured due to unsafe conditions on the property.

In Missouri, property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for lawful visitors.

If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, they may be legally responsible.

Common examples include:

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Trip and fall accidents
  • Negligent security (assaults in parking lots or buildings)
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Dog bites
  • Swimming pool injuries
  • Falling merchandise
  • Unsafe stairways or railings
  • Icy sidewalks or entryways
  • Elevator or escalator injuries

If you were injured on someone else’s property, you may have a premises liability claim

Yes! Donelan Law takes the utmost precautions to ensure your information stays private and it is always the individual’s decision whether or not to move forward with legal action.

See All FAQs