Yes, homeowner’s insurance does cover personal injury. However, like any other personal injury case, collecting a settlement requires proving the homeowner was liable for the accident and your injuries.
Most people typically think homeowner’s insurance only covers disasters like fires and floods. But most homeowner’s insurance policies cover injuries in a home with their personal injury liability coverages as well. Personal injury liability covers a variety of injuries around the house and, in some cases, outside the home.
Common Types of Home Accidents
Accidents can happen anywhere, and a residential home is no exception. Homeowner’s insurance protects you from recourse to those accidents. And, as we mentioned above, this protection occasionally extends beyond the person’s physical home.
Like a private property owner, homeowners have a duty of care to their guests. Owners must maintain the safety of the premises for any guests visiting their property. And they must also warn their guests about any potential dangers which may raise the risk for injury on the premises. The following are the most common types of home accidents:
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and falls are common residential accidents. A homeowner may be liable for your slip and fall injuries if it occurs in the following situations:
- Rugs (particularly without proper grip pads or holes)
- Wet floors
- Ice or snow
- Cracks in the floor or concrete on the property
Accidents on Staircases
Accidents on stairs are another common occurrence. And they often lead to severe injuries because you may roll down them rather than falling in one swoop like most slip and fall accidents. The following are common causes of staircase accidents:
- Missing handrails or poorly placed handrails
- Water, grease or any other foreign substances on the handrails
- Poorly placed carpets and rugs on the stairs
- Shallow steps
Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pools offer a great form of recreation but are often the cause of serious accidents. And in many instances, you may have a case for wrongful death if someone drowns in your pool. However, one thing to note is that homeowner’s insurance only covers you if you were injured when after an invite to the pool. Coverage does not include trespassers.
Dog Bites
Homeowners are also liable for your injuries if his or her dog bites you. A dog is part of your home, and a homeowner must keep you safe from a potentially dangerous dog. But one thing to note is that homeowner’s insurance covers your dog bite injuries even if the dog bite did not occur on the owner’s property.
Proving Liability after Residential Accidents
An accident occurring in someone else’s home is only part of the puzzle when seeking damages from homeowner’s insurance. You must also prove that the homeowner was liable for your injury. Accomplishing this requires proving negligence on the part of the property owner.
A premises liability lawyer may be of great help if you got hurt one somebody’s property.
For example, if you suffered a slip and fall, you must prove that the accident was preventable. You must demonstrate that the homeowner was aware or should have been aware of potential risks. If you fell because there was a conspicuous hole in the homeowner’s lawn, you may be able to prove the homeowner was negligence in not fixing or warning of the hole.
Potential Compensation for a Personal Injury in Atlanta
Everyone feels a bit of uncertainty when deciding to file a personal injury claim. You are likely wondering if it is worth it and what damages you can collect. While S. Burke Law cannot guarantee you any specific amount of damages, we can seek the following on your behalf:
- Medical expenses: This includes ambulance bills, hospital stays, medication, therapy and more.
- Lost wages: Any time you miss at work can be a portion of your reimbursement.