Bedford Premises Liability Lawyer
Are you looking for a premises liability attorney in Bedford, TX?
At Brandy Austin Law Firm, we represent premises liability clients backed by over 18 years of personal injury practice in Bedford and the surrounding area.
Property owners in Texas have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions for the people who enter their premises. When they fail to do that, and someone gets hurt, the injured person has the right to seek compensation.
Brandy Austin Law Firm has handled personal injury and civil litigation matters throughout Tarrant County since 2013. Our founder, Brandy Austin, has been licensed in Texas since 2008. She has taken on cases involving negligent property maintenance, slip and fall injuries, and dangerous conditions on both residential and commercial property. If you need a Bedford, TX premises liability lawyer, contact our office to discuss what happened.
Premises Liability Lawyer Bedford, TX
Under Texas law, premises liability holds property owners and occupiers responsible when someone is injured due to an unsafe condition on their property. The legal standard depends on the status of the person who was injured. An invitee, such as a customer in a store, is owed the highest duty of care. A licensee, like a social guest, is owed a somewhat lower standard. Trespassers are owed the least protection, though certain exceptions apply when children are involved.
The National Safety Council reported 48,308 fall-related deaths in the United States in 2024. Falls remain the second leading cause of preventable injury deaths nationwide, and more than 8.8 million people were treated in emergency rooms for fall injuries in 2023 alone. Many of those injuries happened on property that someone else owned or controlled. A premises liability attorney in Bedford can evaluate whether the property owner failed to meet the duty of care owed to you under Texas law.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Bedford
Property injuries happen in a wide range of settings. The condition that caused the injury, the type of property, and the relationship between the injured person and the owner all matter. We have represented clients in Bedford and throughout Tarrant County in the following types of premises liability cases.
- Slip and fall accidents. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, torn carpeting, icy walkways, and poorly maintained staircases all contribute to fall injuries. These are among the most common premises liability claims we see.
- Negligent security. When a property owner fails to provide adequate lighting, functioning locks, security cameras, or on-site personnel, and someone is assaulted or robbed as a result, the owner may bear liability for the harm.
- Swimming pool injuries. Property owners who maintain pools owe specific duties under Texas law, particularly when children may access the area. Lack of fencing, absent safety equipment, and unsupervised access have led to drowning and near-drowning incidents in Bedford.
- Dog bite injuries. Texas follows a “one bite” rule with nuances. If a dog owner knew or should have known their animal posed a risk for biting and failed to restrain it, the injured person may have a valid claim.
- Retail store injuries. Fallen merchandise, slippery entryways, cluttered aisles, and broken fixtures cause injuries in stores and shopping centers. Retailers owe customers a high duty of care because they invite the public onto their property. Social media posts made after an incident can also affect a claim, which is something to keep in mind.
- Apartment and rental injuries. Landlords and property management companies can be held liable when they ignore broken railings, faulty wiring, missing smoke detectors, or structural defects that injure a tenant or visitor.
- Parking lot and garage accidents. Cracked pavement, inadequate lighting, missing signage, and ice accumulation in parking structures lead to falls and vehicle-related injuries. The property owner or operator may be responsible.
- Construction site injuries. Open excavations, exposed wiring, falling debris, and unsecured scaffolding pose risks to workers and bystanders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls accounted for 38.4% of fatal injuries in the construction industry in 2022.
Why Choose Brandy Austin Law Firm as My Premises Liability Lawyer in Bedford, TX?
Experience in Personal Injury and Civil Litigation
Premises liability cases require proof that a dangerous condition existed, that the property owner knew or should have known about it, and that the condition caused the injury. Building that proof takes experience with evidence gathering, property inspections, and litigation strategy. Brandy Austin founded this firm in 2013 and has practiced law in Texas for over 18 years. She is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas, which allows us to pursue claims in state and federal court.
Brandy graduated from Baylor University School of Law and has received Rising Star recognition from Super Lawyers from 2015 through 2018. The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys named her a Top 10 Attorney Under 40, and Fort Worth Magazine selected her as a Top Attorney. She is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and an Associate Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and she currently serves as President-Elect of the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers.
As your personal injury lawyer in Bedford, TX, we bring that preparation to every premises liability case we take. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients in personal injury matters, including a single judgment that exceeded $1,000,000. We also prevailed in a Tarrant County harassment lawsuit that required sustained litigation against well-funded opposition.
We take premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis. You owe no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
What Is Important to Understand About Premises Liability Cases?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Premises Liability Cases
Victims of premises liability injuries in Texas can pursue several categories of damages. What you recover depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, the property owner’s conduct, and the impact on your daily life.
- Medical expenses. Hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription costs, and any future medical treatment tied to the injury.
- Lost wages and earning capacity. Income you lost while unable to work, along with diminished ability to earn in the future if the injury caused lasting limitations.
- Pain and suffering. Physical pain and emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, loss of mobility, and reduced quality of life.
- Punitive damages. In cases where the property owner acted with gross negligence or conscious indifference, Texas courts may award punitive damages to deter similar conduct.
- Loss of consortium. A spouse may have a separate claim for loss of companionship, affection, or household support resulting from the injury.
Liability rests on whether the property owner knew about the dangerous condition, or whether a reasonable owner would have discovered and corrected it. Texas applies a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. If you are found more than 50% at fault for your own injuries, you cannot recover damages.
What Are Important Aspects of a Premises Liability Case?
Several elements determine whether a premises liability claim will succeed.
- Notice. Did the property owner know about the hazard? Evidence of prior complaints, maintenance logs, and inspection records can establish that the owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the condition.
- Causation. The dangerous condition must have directly caused your injury. Medical records, photographs, and incident reports connect the condition to the harm you suffered.
- Visitor status. Texas law distinguishes between invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Each category carries a different standard of care, and the classification affects what the property owner was required to do.
- Comparative fault. The defense will often argue that the injured person was partly responsible. Texas allows recovery as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%.
What Is the Premises Liability Case Timeline?
No two premises liability cases move at the same speed. The general sequence looks like this.
- Initial consultation and case evaluation. We review what happened, examine the evidence available, and identify the claims you can pursue. This typically takes place within the first week or two.
- Investigation and evidence gathering. We inspect the property, collect surveillance footage, pull maintenance records, interview witnesses, and work with investigators. This phase often runs several weeks to a few months.
- Filing the claim. We file a civil lawsuit in the appropriate court. Premises liability claims in Bedford are typically filed in Tarrant County civil courts at 100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX 76196.
- Discovery and depositions. Both sides exchange documents and take sworn testimony. This stage reveals the full picture of what the property owner knew and when.
- Negotiation or trial. Many of these cases settle through mediation. When a fair resolution is not available, we are prepared to try the case.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, the statute of limitations for a premises liability claim is two years from the date of the injury. Waiting too long can result in losing the right to file.
What Should You Bring to Your Premises Liability Consultation?
Gathering the right materials before your first meeting makes the evaluation faster and more productive.
- Photographs or videos of the hazardous condition, the location, and your injuries
- Medical records, bills, and documentation of treatment received
- Incident reports filed with the property owner, manager, or employer
- Contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident
- Documentation of lost wages or changes to your employment
We will review the facts, explain the legal options available to you, and answer your questions. Everything you share with us is confidential.
Tarrant County Court and Local Resources for Premises Liability Cases
Bedford falls within Tarrant County. Civil lawsuits for premises liability injuries are generally filed in Tarrant County civil courts at 100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Federal claims, where applicable, may be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.
The Texas Department of Insurance oversees insurance matters related to property and liability coverage in the state. If you need information about filing a complaint or understanding your rights under an insurance policy, TDI can be reached at 1-800-252-3439.
The Tarrant County Clerk’s Office maintains records for civil filings and can provide information about pending cases.
Reach Out to Brandy Austin Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation
If you were injured on someone else’s property in Bedford or the surrounding area, Brandy Austin Law Firm is ready to review your case. We handle premises liability matters on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with our premises liability attorney in Bedford, TX.
