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Premises Liability Lawyers in Friendswood TX

Friendswood is a close-knit community known for its family-friendly neighborhoods, walkable parks, and community-driven events. But while the town is considered one of the safer areas in southeast Texas, premises-related injuries can still happen—often in places where residents feel most comfortable.

Whether it is a fall at a civic center, an injury at a local festival, or a hazard at a retail property, injuries caused by unsafe premises can result in significant physical, financial, and emotional burdens. Under Texas law, individuals injured due to dangerous conditions on another’s property may be entitled to compensation. These cases require prompt legal action and a clear understanding of how premises liability law applies. If you or someone you love was injured on unsafe property in Friendswood, the attorneys at Johnson Garcia are ready to help.

How Johnson Garcia Serves Injured Clients in Friendswood

When a property owner’s negligence causes harm, you need more than just general legal advice—you need trial-tested attorneys who know how to build a strong case from day one. The Houston-based firm of Johnson Garcia brings over 35 years of courtroom experience to every premises liability matter and is proud to represent clients throughout Friendswood and surrounding areas.

Built on Corporate Defense Experience

Before founding the firm, Johnson Garcia’s attorneys spent years defending some of the nation’s largest insurers and corporate property owners. That background gives the firm rare insight into how premises claims are handled on the defense side—how companies respond to injuries, how they value claims, and what tactics they use to limit payouts.

Today, Johnson Garcia uses that experience to fight for injured individuals. This insider perspective is especially valuable in premises liability cases, where insurers often attempt to deflect blame, question the extent of the injury, or argue that the hazard was open and obvious. The firm’s legal team knows how to counter those defenses with detailed evidence and strategic case development.

Trial-First Case Preparation

Johnson Garcia prepares every case with the expectation that it may go to trial. That level of readiness sends a message: if fair compensation is not offered, the firm is fully prepared to take the case to court. In many instances, this approach leads to stronger settlement offers because the defense understands that Johnson Garcia is not a high-volume settlement mill—it is a litigation-focused firm with the skill and resources to win in court.

From the moment an injury victim contacts the firm, the legal team begins investigating the incident, gathering evidence, and preserving records. Each step is designed to build leverage and increase the likelihood of securing full compensation.

Injuries at Public Events and Community Venues

Friendswood is home to many local events and festivals, including concerts in Stevenson Park, community fairs, and seasonal markets. These events are meant to bring people together—but when safety precautions are overlooked, they can also become sites of serious injury.

How Injuries Happen at Public Events

Temporary structures, overcrowding, poor lighting, and uneven walking surfaces are all common hazards at community venues. Injuries may result from:

  • Collapsing stages or tents
  • Electrical equipment placed in walkways
  • Poor crowd control during large gatherings
  • Slippery surfaces due to weather or food service spills
  • Tripping over cords, cables, or signage without clear markings
  • Lack of emergency exits or obstructed pathways

When the individuals or organizations responsible for hosting or managing an event fail to uphold safety standards, they may be held liable for resulting injuries. That includes municipalities, event promoters, contractors, vendors, or property owners.

Determining Responsibility

Liability for injuries at public events depends on who had control over the area where the incident occurred and whether they acted negligently. For example:

  • If a city-owned venue failed to provide adequate lighting, the municipality may be responsible.
  • If a private security company failed to manage crowd flow, they may share liability.
  • If a vendor created a hazard—like grease spills from a food truck—they may be legally at fault.

Public property claims involving government entities can involve shorter deadlines and additional legal requirements. Johnson Garcia is experienced in navigating these procedural rules and can act quickly to preserve your rights.

The Duty of Care: What Property Owners Owe to Visitors

Every premises liability case begins with one question: what duty of care did the property owner owe to the person who was injured? Texas law classifies visitors into three categories, each of which comes with a different level of legal protection.

Invitees

Invitees are individuals who enter a property for the mutual benefit of themselves and the owner—such as customers in a business or guests at a public event. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care. This includes:

  • Inspecting the property regularly for hazards
  • Fixing or warning about known dangers
  • Taking reasonable precautions to keep the premises safe

If an invitee is injured due to a condition that the owner knew—or should have known—about, the property owner may be liable for resulting damages.

Licensees

Licensees are individuals who are on the property with permission but for their own purposes—such as visiting a friend’s home or attending a private gathering. Property owners must warn licensees of known hazards that are not obvious, but they are not required to inspect the property for dangers the way they would for invitees.

For instance, if a homeowner knows that a stair railing is loose and fails to warn a guest, they may be liable if the guest is injured.

Trespassers

Trespassers are individuals who enter a property without permission. In most cases, property owners owe no duty to protect adult trespassers from harm, other than to avoid intentionally injuring them.

There are exceptions when children are involved. Under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine, property owners may be liable if a child is injured by a dangerous condition—such as an unsecured pool or construction site—that could reasonably attract children and was not properly safeguarded.

Understanding your legal classification at the time of the injury is critical. It determines whether a premises liability claim is legally viable and how it must be argued in court. Johnson Garcia evaluates these factors from the beginning to develop a case strategy grounded in Texas law.

Premises Liability and Elevator or Escalator Accidents

Elevators and escalators are common in shopping centers, office buildings, medical facilities, and multi-level residential properties throughout Friendswood. While these systems are built to strict safety specifications, they require regular maintenance, proper installation, and prompt repair when problems arise. When property owners or service providers fail to uphold these responsibilities, serious injuries can occur.

Common Causes of Elevator and Escalator Injuries

Elevator and escalator accidents are typically caused by mechanical failure, poor maintenance, or negligent inspections. Examples include:

  • Sudden elevator drops or misleveling (where the elevator car does not align with the floor)
  • Doors that close too quickly or fail to detect passengers
  • Escalators that stop abruptly, reverse direction, or have missing teeth or loose panels
  • Electrical malfunctions that cause control failures or safety feature errors
  • Lack of routine inspections or disregard for service warnings and safety recalls

These incidents can lead to severe injuries, such as head trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, or crushing injuries—especially in young children and older adults who are more vulnerable to instability.

Legal Responsibility for Maintenance and Inspection

Premises liability law holds property owners accountable for maintaining safe conditions, including the mechanical systems on their property. In the case of elevators and escalators, multiple parties may be responsible for the injury, including:

  • The property owner or building manager
  • A contracted maintenance company
  • The manufacturer or installer, if defective parts or improper installation contributed to the failure

Establishing fault requires a thorough investigation, including a review of service records, inspection logs, maintenance contracts, and any prior complaints. Johnson Garcia works with mechanical and engineering experts when needed to determine the source of the malfunction and the parties responsible for failing to prevent it.

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Who Is Liable When Children Are Injured on Unsafe Property?

When a child is injured on another person’s property, the law applies a different standard than it does for adults. Texas recognizes that children may not understand the risks presented by certain hazards and imposes additional responsibilities on property owners when it comes to protecting minors.

The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine

Under Texas law, the attractive nuisance doctrine applies when a hazardous condition on a property is likely to attract children who do not recognize the danger. Property owners may be held liable for injuries if they:

  • Knew or should have known that children might enter the property
  • Knew or should have known that the condition posed a serious risk of harm
  • Failed to take reasonable steps to secure the area or eliminate the danger

Common examples of attractive nuisances include:

  • Unfenced swimming pools
  • Abandoned buildings or construction zones
  • Old appliances, broken vehicles, or unsecured equipment left in yards
  • Unlocked gates providing access to roofs, stairwells, or utility areas

Even if a child was trespassing, a property owner can be liable under the attractive nuisance doctrine if the hazard was foreseeable and unaddressed.

Additional Considerations in Child Injury Claims

Children are particularly vulnerable to long-term injury and emotional trauma. As a result, premises liability cases involving minors often include claims for:

  • Extended medical care and rehabilitation
  • Loss of future earning capacity if the child suffers permanent impairment
  • Mental health treatment
  • Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life

Johnson Garcia understands the sensitivity and complexity of representing injured children and works closely with families to seek full compensation and accountability.

How Surveillance Footage and Witness Testimony Help Prove Fault

Premises liability cases often come down to one critical issue: proving that the property owner or occupier knew about the danger and failed to act. Without clear evidence, property owners may deny responsibility or argue that the hazard was not present—or that the injured person was to blame. This is where early evidence gathering can make or break a claim.

The Power of Video Evidence

Surveillance footage is one of the most compelling forms of evidence in a premises liability case. It can:

  • Show the hazard as it existed at the time of the accident
  • Document the events leading up to the injury
  • Establish how long the hazard was present before the incident
  • Capture whether any warnings were posted or whether staff responded appropriately

In many cases, security cameras in retail stores, apartment complexes, or public buildings are set to overwrite their recordings after a set period—sometimes within days. Prompt legal action is essential to preserve this footage before it is lost.

Witness Testimony and Incident Reports

Eyewitnesses can provide valuable details about the condition of the property, whether warnings were given, and how the injury occurred. Witness statements can support or contradict the property owner’s account and help fill in gaps where video footage is not available.

Similarly, incident reports—often filed by staff or security—can establish early acknowledgment of the injury and may contain internal notes about prior complaints, known risks, or similar past events.

Johnson Garcia moves quickly to secure all relevant evidence and preserve the integrity of the claim. The firm also works with investigators and expert witnesses to build a case that can stand up in court if needed.

Understanding Non-Economic Damages in a Premises Liability Case

While economic damages like medical bills and lost wages are straightforward to calculate, non-economic damages capture the deeper, more personal impact of an injury. These damages recognize that physical harm does not end at the hospital and that pain, fear, and loss of quality of life deserve legal acknowledgment.

Types of Non-Economic Damages

Common categories include:

  • Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by the injury
  • Mental anguish: Covers psychological harm such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, or PTSD related to the incident
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: For activities and routines the victim can no longer participate in due to the injury
  • Emotional distress: Especially in cases where the injury involved trauma, public embarrassment, or lasting emotional scars
  • Disfigurement or permanent impairment: When the injury results in scarring, loss of function, or visible changes that affect daily life

While these damages may not come with receipts, they are no less real. Johnson Garcia works with medical professionals, therapists, and vocational experts to fully document the long-term impact of an injury and ensure that non-economic losses are included in the total claim valuation.

Contact Johnson Garcia for Trial-Ready Representation in Friendswood

If you were injured on someone else’s property in Friendswood—whether at a retail store, public event, private residence, or community center—you do not have to face the recovery process alone. The physical toll, financial stress, and legal complexity of a premises liability case can be overwhelming. But you have options, and you have rights.

But keep in mind, premises liability cases often turn on the strength of the evidence and the readiness of the legal team. Johnson Garcia is known across Texas for its aggressive, client-centered approach and its record of success in high-stakes injury litigation.

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt due to unsafe property conditions, schedule your free consultation today.

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