Pittsburgh
Premises Liability Lawyer

A Pittsburgh premises liability lawyer can help you hold a negligent property owner accountable after an injury that never should have happened. Property owners in Pennsylvania have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for the people who visit them. When that duty is ignored and someone gets hurt, the law gives injured visitors a path to compensation.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., our attorneys have represented injury victims across Western Pennsylvania and Allegheny County since 1981. We have recovered hundreds of millions for Pittsburgh families.

If you or someone you love was injured on someone else’s property in Pittsburgh, contact us today for a free case evaluation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation

Who Is Liable if I Was Injured on Someone Else's Property?

After a premises liability injury, the property owner or the business or person in control of the property, called the possessor, may be held responsible. But liability in Pennsylvania depends heavily on why you were on the property in the first place. Pennsylvania law places every visitor into one of three categories, and the duty a property owner owes you changes based on which one applies.

Invitees

If you were on the property for a business or public purpose, such as shopping in a store, dining at a restaurant, or visiting a building open to the public, you are likely an invitee. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care. They must inspect the property for hazards, repair known dangers, and warn of any condition they knew or reasonably should have known about.

If you are not sure which category applies to your situation, stop and call us first. That determination often decides the strength of your case, and it is our job to make it, not yours.

Licensees

If you were on the property with permission but for your own purpose, such as a social guest at someone’s home, you are likely a licensee. Property owners owe licensees a lesser duty. They must warn of known hazards that are not obvious, but they are not required to actively search for dangers on your behalf.

Trespassers

Even someone on a property without permission may have a claim in limited situations. Property owners cannot intentionally harm trespassers or set traps, and Pennsylvania’s attractive nuisance rule may apply if a child was drawn onto the property by a dangerous condition such as a pool or construction equipment.

What Are My Rights After a Premises Liability Injury?

Being hurt on someone else’s property gives you the right to pursue compensation, but Pennsylvania law sets rules and deadlines that shape how and when you can act.

The Property Owner Must Have Had Notice of the Hazard

Most premises liability claims turn on notice. You generally must show the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn you within a reasonable time. Evidence like maintenance logs, prior complaints, and surveillance footage is often central to proving this.

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The Two-Year Filing Window Opens the Day of Your Injury

Under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524, Pennsylvania gives injured victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline is absolute. Miss it, and your right to recover is gone permanently.

Being Partially At Fault Won't End Your Claim

Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule, 42 Pa. C.S. Section 7102, you can still recover as long as your share of fault stays below 51%. Your award is reduced proportionally, which is exactly why locking down evidence early makes such a difference.

Most Pittsburgh premises liability claims are filed in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Our attorneys have practiced there for decades and know what it takes to win. The sooner you reach out, the better.

How We Fight For Your Premises Liability Claim

Premises liability cases can be complex because they often depend on proving what the property owner knew and when.

Here is how we pursue them:

  • Step 1: Call Us Before You Do Anything Else Before you speak to an insurance company or sign anything, call (412) 471-8500 or contact us online. We’ll review the facts of your case, explain your rights, and map out a legal strategy, at no cost and no obligation.
  • Step 2: We Move Fast on the Evidence Maintenance records, incident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements can disappear quickly. We send preservation demands immediately to make sure nothing is lost or overwritten.
  • Step 3: We Establish Notice We investigate how long the hazard existed and whether the property owner knew or should have known about it. This is often the single most important piece of a premises liability case.
  • Step 4: We Take on the Property Owner and Their Insurer Once you retain us, we handle every interaction with the property owner, their insurance adjuster, and their attorneys. You won’t be put in a position to say something that hurts your case.
  • Step 5: Maximum Recovery, By Settlement or Verdict We pursue the full value of your claim at the negotiating table, and we’re prepared to make that case before a jury if necessary.
  • Step 6: You Collect, We Take Our Fee From the Recovery No upfront payments, no out-of-pocket legal costs. Our contingency fee comes from what we recover for you, and only if we win.
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Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Premises liability covers a wide range of dangerous conditions. We handle cases including:

  • Slip and Fall Accidents – Injuries caused by hazardous conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or unaddressed property defects.
  • Negligent Security – Harm resulting from inadequate security measures that fail to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal acts.
  • Dog Bites and Animal Attacks – Injuries caused by dangerous or uncontrolled animals due to an owner’s negligence.
  • Swimming Pool Accidents – Accidents involving unsafe pool conditions, inadequate supervision, or a lack of proper safety measures.
  • Defective Stairs and Handrails – Injuries caused by broken, unstable, poorly maintained, or improperly designed stairways and railings.
  • Elevator and Escalator Accidents – Serious injuries resulting from malfunctioning, defective, or improperly maintained elevators and escalators.
  • Falling Merchandise and Objects – Injuries caused by improperly stored, stacked, or secured items that fall and strike visitors.
  • Construction Site Hazards – Injuries caused by unsafe conditions, falling debris, exposed hazards, or inadequate safety precautions on construction sites.
  • Wrongful Death – Claims arising when fatal injuries occur because a property owner’s negligence created or failed to address a dangerous condition.
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ABOUT
Why Choose the Premises Liability Attorneys at OMP

Premises liability claims often involve disputed facts, delayed investigations, and property owners who deny responsibility.

Building a strong case requires a legal team that understands how to establish negligence and hold the responsible parties accountable.

  • More than 40 years of experience representing injured Pennsylvanians: Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C. has helped injury victims throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania pursue compensation after preventable accidents.
  • Direct access to an experienced attorney: Your case will be handled by an attorney with experience in premises liability matters, providing personalized guidance and clear communication from start to finish.
  • Prepared to stand up to property owners and insurance companies: Whether negotiating a fair settlement or litigating in court, we advocate aggressively for clients against well-resourced defendants and their insurers.
  • No upfront costs, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation: We handle premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis, so you owe no attorney’s fees unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
  • Thorough investigations focused on proving liability: We gather evidence, interview witnesses, review maintenance records, and work with qualified professionals when necessary to build the strongest case possible.
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“

I highly recommend Mike Murphy and John Perkosky. They kept us informed every step of the way and were incredibly caring throughout the entire process. They were always available to answer our questions, and I had complete confidence in their abilities. I am extremely grateful for everything they did. Mike and John fought hard to achieve the best possible outcome for our case.

– C. G.
“

Ben Gobel was extremely helpful with my case. He was thorough, transparent, and kept me informed throughout the process. I trusted him completely because he addressed my questions before I even had to ask. I was very pleased with the outcome of my settlement.

– J. B.
“

Best law firm anywhere. Professional, caring, thorough and will do everything they can to help you get you through a harrowing time. I can’t recommend them enough! You don’t want any other firm on your side.

– S. F.
“

First of all, I would like to thank the firm of OGG, Murphy & Perkosky for their great work and their commitment in helping me with my case and the way Mr. Gobel took his time walking me through the process and the details. I would recommend this firm to anyone who is looking for legal counsel.

– J. M.
“

Best law firm, ever! I cannot say enough great things about Jon Perkosky. He is very passionate about what he does, and is a fabulous attorney. He's the best! He will fight, and fight hard.

– B. P.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Premises Liability Claims

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You generally need to show you were lawfully on the property, the owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition, the owner failed to fix or warn of it, and that failure caused your injury. Your visitor classification, invitee, licensee, or trespasser, affects the duty the owner owed you.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524, Pennsylvania gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can permanently bar your claim, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

You may still be entitled to compensation. Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below 51%, though your award may be reduced proportionally.

Yes, in many cases. As a licensee, you may be entitled to compensation if the property owner knew about a hidden hazard and failed to warn you about it. Our attorneys investigate the facts of every visit, not just business relationships.

A slip and fall is one type of premises liability claim. Premises liability also covers negligent security, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, and other hazards.

Nothing upfront. We handle premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery. If we do not obtain a recovery for you, you owe us nothing. We offer a free case evaluation with no obligation.

Speak With a Pittsburgh Premises Liability Lawyer Today

Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises. When they fail to do so and someone is injured, they may be held accountable for the harm that was caused. Our attorneys at Ogg, Murphy, and Perkosky, P.C. can evaluate your claim, explain your legal options, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (412) 471-8500 to schedule your free case evaluation.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation.

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    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.

    245 Fort Pitt Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, US