Drexel University has a large campus that if not maintained properly, can result in a serious injury for a visitor, student, or other person that is traversing the campus. Drexel University has an obligation to keep its visitors safe from hazardous conditions that may be present on their property. Failure to keep these people safe can result in liability for their injuries. If you or a family member was injured on Drexel University’s campus, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia premises liability lawyer today.
The legal team at The Reiff Law Firm is prepared to help you fight your injury case against Drexel University. We understand how an unexpected and severe injury can affect your life, and we are here to represent you. You do not have to fight your personal injury case alone, call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 for a free legal consultation.
Common Campus Premises Liability Claims
Premises liability is a term that encompasses a wide range of legal issues. A premises liability claim typically stems from an accident that occurred on property owned by a person or a business that failed to correct a dangerous condition on their property. While a premises liability claim can stem from several issues, the following is a list of common premises liability claims.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are the most common type of premises liability claim, likely because they can occur virtually anywhere. For example, if you suffered a slip and fall accident at Drexel’s campus because the pavement was not properly plowed after a snowstorm, you may have a claim against Drexel University.
Slip and fall accidents can occur for various other reasons:
- Cracked or unstable steps
- Poorly lit areas
- Debris on the floor
- Wet floors in a building that were not cleaned or indicated with signs
Slip and falls can result in a number of injuries. Many people suffer arm and hand injuries in a slip and fall because they were trying to break their fall. Other injuries include bone fractures, head injuries, and back injuries.
Insufficient Security
It is expected that a large university like Drexel will have a plan to ensure their students, employees, and other visitors on the campus are adequately protected. Unfortunately, the safety measures implemented may not be adequate. Safety measures should include security cameras, guards, and emergency call boxes for those that believe they are in danger or have an emergency.
A lack of security could lead to people being assaulted or worse. Additionally, inadequate security may encourage criminals to break into vehicles or into the living quarters. If you were assaulted or had your property stolen or damaged due to inadequate security, Drexel University may be held liable for your injuries.
Car Crashes
Car crashes are one of the top accidents that lead to a personal injury case. Depending on where your vehicle was struck, you could suffer severe or long-term injuries. For example, if you were rear-ended with a great deal of force, you can hit your head on the steering wheel or another hard surface and suffer a head injury like a concussion or even a traumatic brain injury.
Car accidents can be the result of various circumstances from speeding to a reckless motorist texting while driving. If a negligent driver injured you, you could hold them liable for your injuries.
Poor Maintenance
Poor maintenance of school equipment is another issue that can result in a serious accident. Many premises liability cases stem from the improper maintenance of elevators or escalators. If you suffered an injury because an elevator, escalator, or another type of equipment malfunctioned, the school would be liable for your injuries.
This is not an exhaustive list of premises liability claims. To learn more about filing a lawsuit for an injury that occurred on Drexel’s campus, you should speak with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer.
Dog Bites
Several residents of Philadelphia like to walk their dogs around the beautiful campus of Drexel University. However, some dog owners should avoid the possibility of having their dog interact with other people or other dogs if they are not properly trained.
If a dog is not adequately trained and they attack another person, that person could suffer a variety of injuries:
- Broken bones
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Infections that could develop after a dog bite
This is not an exhaustive list of all the common types of personal injury cases. There are several other types of personal injury cases that the Reiff Law Firm can help you litigate. To learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia injury lawyer today.
Filing a Premises Liability Lawsuit Against Drexel University
There are various factors that must be considered when filing a premises liability claim against Drexel University. For example, you must determine your status when you were injured on the Drexel campus.
Determining whether you were a visitor or trespasser on campus will help you learn what you need to prove to prevail in your personal injury case. Drexel University would have different burdens regarding your safety if you were invited onto the campus as opposed to sneaking into an area of the campus where you did not belong. However, being a trespasser does not mean that you cannot seek compensation for your injuries.
It is also important to note that premises liability cases must be filed within a certain timeframe to avoid losing the right to file your case. This law is known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations on premises liability cases is two years from the date of the injury. However, there may be a way to delay your filing date depending on the circumstances of your case.
Proving Your Injury Case
To prevail in a personal injury lawsuit, you must show that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of your injury. Specifically, there are multiple elements that must all be proven before you can receive compensation for your injuries:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty (stopping their dog from biting you)
- The defendant breached that legal duty
- The defendant’s actions were the proximate cause of the accident
- You suffered serious injuries or damage to your property due to the defendant’s actions
The Reiff Law Firm can help you gather evidence necessary to show that a defendant acted negligently and caused your injuries. For example, if a vicious dog injured you, we can help you look into the history of whether the animal attacked other individuals.
Our Drexel Student Personal Injury Attorneys are Ready to Help You File a Claim
If you are a Drexel student and you were the victim of a serious accident, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney today. The legal team at The Reiff Law Firm has served residents of Philadelphia for over 40 years, and we are prepared to utilize this experience to represent you in your time of need. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential case, call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
