Houston Premises Liability Lawyers Holding Property Owners Accountable

Last updated on February 3, 2026

When you enter a store, a restaurant or an apartment complex, you have a right to expect a safe environment. You should not have to worry about tripping over a hidden hazard or slipping on a spill that should have been cleaned hours ago. Unfortunately, property owners in Houston cut corners on maintenance, leading to life-altering injuries for unsuspecting visitors.

If you were injured due to an unsafe condition, you may be facing a long road to recovery. At the Law Office of Richard J. Presutti, P.C., we understand that these accidents are not your fault. Our founding attorney, Richard J. Presutti, has over 20 years of experience handling these complex claims. As a former insurance adjuster, he knows exactly how property insurers deny claims by blaming the victim. We provide the assertive representation you need to hold property owner accountability and secure the compensation you deserve.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible for injuries occurring on their land due to unsafe conditions. Under Texas premises liability law, your rights depend on your reason for being on the property. Most victims are invitees – customers, tenants or guests – whom the property owner owes the highest duty of care.

Owners have a legal obligation to inspect their premises regularly, repair known dangers and warn of hidden hazards. When they fail, you can hold them liable for accidents, including:

• Slip-and-fall accidents: Often caused by wet floors, grease spills or freshly mopped surfaces without warning signs.
• Trip-and-fall accidents: Resulting from uneven walkways, torn carpeting or cluttered retail aisles.
• Negligent security claims: Arising from assaults or attacks in dark parking lots or apartment complexes with broken locks.
• Inadequate maintenance: Including broken stairways, malfunctioning elevators or falling merchandise.
• Swimming pool accidents: Caused by lack of fencing, improper drains or slippery decks.

Whether you suffered a broken bone or a catastrophic injury like a traumatic brain injury, our team is ready to investigate every detail of your accident.

Proving Property Owner Negligence

One of the greatest challenges in these cases is proving property owner negligence. To win, you must show the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it. This involves establishing “notice”:

• Actual notice: The owner or an employee was directly aware of the danger. For example, a customer reported a spill.
• Constructive notice: The hazard existed for such a length of time that a reasonable owner would have discovered and repaired it through routine inspections.

Insurance companies often use comparative negligence to argue you were at fault for not looking where you were going. As a former adjuster, attorney Presutti anticipates these tactics. We act quickly to secure incident report surveillance video, employee records and maintenance logs to build a strong case.

What To Do After An Injury On Unsafe Property

The actions you take immediately following an accident are critical for preserving evidence that premises liability claims require. If you are injured, follow these steps:

• Report the incident: Notify the manager or owner immediately and insist on a formal incident report.
• Take photos and video: Document the exact hazard that caused your fall before it is cleaned or repaired.
• Identify witnesses: Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident or the hazard.
• Seek medical attention: Go to a doctor even if you feel fine; many serious injuries do not show symptoms immediately.
• Call our firm: Do not give a statement to the property’s insurance company until you speak with a premises liability lawyer.

Taking these steps ensures that the truth is documented before the property owner has a chance to alter the scene.

Personalized Legal Support For Your Premises Liability Claim

At the Law Office of Richard J. Presutti, P.C., you work directly with your lawyer, never a junior staff member. We combine the insider advantage of a former insurance adjuster with the personal attention of a local practice. Our bilingual team is dedicated to the North Houston community, offering free consultations and a “no win, no fee” guarantee.

Whether you were injured at an apartment complex, a retail store or are facing a wrongful death claim, we use our industry insight to defeat the tactics insurers use to undervalue your recovery.

Contact A Houston Premises Liability Lawyer Today

If you have been injured on unsafe property, do not wait for the insurance company to offer a settlement that fails to cover your needs. Call us as soon as possible to protect your rights and secure vital evidence.

Call 888-612-0353 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free, confidential consultation. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you.