Property owners have a duty to keep their spaces in a reasonably safe condition. When they fail to fix or warn about dangerous conditions, people get hurt.
If you were injured on someone else’s property in Knoxville, you’re probably dealing with more than just the injury. Medical bills add up fast, work gets missed, and the insurance company may already be looking for a way to minimize your claim.
A Knoxville premises liability lawyer with Hotz & Associates, P.C. can step in and take that pressure off you. Whether the injury happened in a store, apartment complex, restaurant, or private property, you may have the right to file a premises liability claim and recover compensation.
A Knoxville premises liability lawyer with Hotz & Associates, P.C. is ready to help you explore your legal options. Each of our Knoxville personal injury attorneys provides dedicated, skilled representation, and we’ll do everything we can to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call (865) 582-0042 for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your options and what comes next.
Why choose Hotz & Associates, P.C. for your case?
The way your premises liability case is handled early on can shape everything that follows, from the evidence collected to the outcome you’re able to pursue. Hotz & Associates, P.C. has been representing injured people in Knoxville for decades. Our experienced legal team understands how quickly these cases can become complicated, especially when property owners and insurance companies start pushing back.
We don’t approach cases as paperwork; we approach them as real situations affecting someone’s health, income, and stability. That changes how we build your case from day one.
When you work with Hotz & Associates, you’re getting a team that:
- Knows how to investigate unsafe conditions and preserve key evidence
- Understands how insurance companies evaluate and defend premises liability claims
- Focuses on holding the responsible party accountable, not settling for less than what the case supports
Our focus is on people, not companies; those who are dealing with medical bills, missed work, and the stress that follows an injury.
After an accident, those financial pressures don’t pause. Mortgage payments, utilities, and daily expenses continue, even while you’re recovering. That’s why we take a thorough approach to pursuing compensation, so your claim reflects the full impact of what you’re dealing with, not just the immediate costs.
Case results
Our team has handled serious injury cases involving unsafe properties. While every premises liability case is different, we work to pursue full compensation based on the facts, not quick and low settlements.
- $920,000 Premises Liability Hawkins County, TN
- $575,000 Premises Liability Anderson County, TN
- $300,000 Premises Liability Washington County, TN
Client experience
| “This firm demonstrates outstanding leadership and professionalism. From the very beginning, they set clear expectations and followed through every step of the way. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely cares about their clients. It’s rare to find a team that combines strong leadership with such a supportive, reliable environment. Highly recommend to anyone looking for trusted legal representation.” – Jimmy R. |
| “Zach Tenry was an excellent choice for my case. His experience was right in line with what I needed after my injury. He was with me every step of the way and gave me clear expectations. I went through surgery, pain, and physical therapy. Once I got better, it came time to settle the case. He worked with the insurance company to get me a fair, prompt settlement.” – Janet B. |
| “I never thought hiring a lawyer to fight on my behalf could be such a good experience! Zach Tinery did a fantastic job explaining everything to me, was helpful throughout the whole process, and even surprised me with a better than expected result for my accident case. I cannot brag on Hotz and Associates firm enough. Thank you all so much!” – Albert J |
What is premises liability?
Premises liability refers to situations where a property owner or manager fails to keep their property reasonably safe, and someone gets hurt as a result.
This type of negligence can involve unsafe conditions like wet floors, poor lighting, or hazards that were never addressed. In Tennessee, property owners have a legal duty of care. That means they must take reasonable steps to maintain their property or warn visitors about dangers they know—or should have known—about. When they don’t, and someone is injured, they may be held liable through a premises liability case.
How much is a premises liability case worth?
There’s no fixed number. The value of a premises liability claim depends on how the injury affects your life. You may be able to recover economic damages that include medical expenses, lost wages, and more. There are also non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.
For example, a slip and fall that leads to a minor injury is very different from a fall that causes a traumatic brain injury or spinal damage.
Insurance companies often try to settle quickly, but early offers rarely reflect the full value of a claim. That’s where legal representation matters.
Common premises liability claims
Premises liability cases come in many forms, but most involve unsafe conditions that should have been addressed.
Common examples include:
- Slip-and-falls / trip and fall accidents
- Falling merchandise or debris
- Faulty elevators or escalators
- Inadequate security
- Playground or amusement park accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dog or other animal bites
Each of these situations comes back to whether the property owner failed to maintain a safe condition or failed to warn about a known hazard.
What are some common premises liability injuries?
Any accident that falls within a premises liability claim can lead to severe injuries. Here are just a few examples:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries
Who is liable in a premises liability case?
Liability isn’t always limited to one person or business. Depending on the situation, responsibility may fall on:
- The property owner
- A landlord or property management company
- A business operating on the property
- A maintenance or security company
To hold someone accountable, you need to show that they had a duty to maintain the property, failed to fix or warn about a hazard, and that failure caused your injury.
What you need to show in a premises liability claim
To move forward with a claim, four key elements usually need to be established:
- A dangerous condition existed
- The property owner knew or should have known about it
- They failed to fix or warn about the issue
- You were injured as a direct result
A Knoxville premises liability lawyer helps gather evidence to support each of these points, such as photos, reports, maintenance records, and witness statements.
What kind of steps to take if you were hurt on someone else’s property?
An injury can throw you off quickly. You may not feel the full impact right away, and it’s not always clear what matters for your health or your case. These steps help protect both.
Get medical care
Start here. Even if the injury seems minor, get checked out, as some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. A doctor can document what’s going on early, which matters for both your recovery and your claim. Waiting too long can make it harder to connect the injury back to the accident. You can seek treatment at a local facility, such as UT Medical Center or another Knoxville hospital
Document the scene
If you’re able, take photos or videos before leaving. Focus on what caused the injury:
- The surface you slipped or tripped on
- Lighting conditions
- Any warning signs or lack of them
Conditions can change quickly. What you capture in that moment may not be there later.
Report the incident
Let someone in charge know what happened. If you’re in a store, restaurant, or apartment complex, ask for an incident report and request a copy. If no one is available or If the property owner isn’t cooperative, contact the Knoxville Police Department so there’s an official record.
Keep your records
Hold onto anything tied to the injury. That includes medical bills, prescriptions, discharge paperwork, and receipts for out-of-pocket costs. These details help show how the injury has affected you over time.
Talk with a Knoxville premises liability lawyer
Working with a premises liability attorney Knoxville injury victims turn to can make a difference in how your case is handled. If you’re unsure whether you have a case, you can call (865) 582-0042 for a free consultation and get a clear answer.
Dealing with insurance companies after a premises liability accident
After an injury, the insurance company may contact you quickly. They might sound helpful, but their goal is to limit what they pay.
Be careful about:
- Giving recorded statements early
- Accepting a quick settlement
- Downplaying your injuries
Even something simple like saying you “feel okay” can be used against you later. It’s usually better to speak with a premises liability lawyer before having detailed conversations with an insurance company.
How long do you have to file a premises liability claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations in premises liability cases. This means that you have one year from the date you were hurt to take legal action. That’s a short window. Waiting too long can prevent you from recovering compensation at all.
Talk with a Knoxville premises liability lawyer today
The Knoxville personal injury lawyers with Hotz & Associates, P.C., are ready to put their experience to work for you.
If you were injured because of unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, you don’t have to figure this out alone. A premises liability attorney in Knoxville at Hotz & Associates, P.C. can review your situation, explain your options, and help you move forward with a claim.
Call (865) 582-0042 or reach out online for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about premises liability in Knoxville
What if the hazard was obvious?
You may still have a claim. Property owners can still be responsible if they failed to address a known risk.
What if there were no witnesses?
Claims can still move forward using photos, videos, incident reports, and other evidence.
Can surveillance footage be used in a premises liability case?
Yes. Video evidence can be one of the strongest ways to show what happened and how long the hazard existed.
What does it mean if a property owner “should have known” about a hazard?
A property owner doesn’t have to admit they knew about a dangerous condition to be held responsible. If the hazard existed long enough that a reasonable owner would have discovered it, they may still be liable.
For example, if a spill sits on a floor for an extended period without being cleaned up or marked, the owner may be considered to have “constructive notice” of the danger.
How long does a property owner have to fix a dangerous condition?
There’s no exact deadline, but property owners are expected to act within a reasonable amount of time once they become aware of a hazard.
What counts as “reasonable” depends on the situation. A serious safety issue in a high-traffic area may require immediate action, while other conditions may allow for a short window to fix or warn about the problem.
