St. Louis Premises Liability Attorneys

Why Hire Meyerkord Law Group?

You work directly with your attorney. Geoff Meyerkord is personally involved in every case we accept. Clients hear back from him directly, including on evenings and weekends — not a case manager or paralegal.

We have medical experts on your team. Our staff includes a Registered Nurse and a credentialed Speech-Language Pathologist (M.S., CCC-SLP). We review your medical records immediately, identify negligence markers, and build lifetime care valuations in-house. This directly affects how your damages are valued.

We prepare like every case is going to trial. We use focus groups — presenting your case facts to real community members before trial — to sharpen our arguments and anticipate the defense. Insurance companies know which firms will go to court and which won't. Our preparation changes what they put on the table.

We don't take every case — so yours gets our full attention. Our boutique model means hundreds of hours of investigation, research, and trial preparation dedicated to your file.

Proving a Premises Liability Case

It's not enough to show there was a hazard that hurt you. To succeed in a premises liability claim, you generally must prove:

• The property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the hazard
• They failed to fix it or provide adequate warning
• You had no reason to know the situation was dangerous
• You suffered real damages as a result

Evidence matters enormously in these cases. If there is surveillance footage, witness statements, incident reports, or maintenance records, we move quickly to obtain and preserve them. When that evidence isn't immediately obvious, we investigate to find it.

Who Can File a Premises Liability Claim?

Missouri law places injury victims into three categories based on their relationship to the property:

• Invitees — People welcomed onto a property for the owner's benefit (customers, clients, guests of a business). Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care — actively maintaining the property to keep it safe.
• Licensees — People with permission to enter for their own purposes (social guests). Property owners must warn licensees of known dangers, but aren't required to actively inspect for hazards.
• Trespassers — People without permission to be on the property. Trespassers generally cannot recover compensation, with limited exceptions.

If you're unsure which category applies to you, that's exactly the kind of question we answer in a free consultation.

Comparative Fault in Premises Liability Cases

Insurance companies frequently argue that you should have noticed the hazard yourself. Under Missouri's pure comparative fault rule, if they successfully assign you a percentage of blame, your recovery is reduced proportionally.

These tactics are common and predictable. We anticipate them, prepare for them, and counter them with thorough documentation of the property owner's negligence.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A premises liability claim in Missouri can include compensation for:

Economic damages:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries are lasting
• Transportation and home care costs

Non-economic damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

We evaluate the full financial and personal impact of your injury — not just the first set of medical bills. That honest assessment drives better outcomes at the negotiating table and in court.

What To Do After You're Hurt on Someone Else's Property

Immediately:

• Report the incident to the property owner or manager — get a written record
• Seek medical care right away, even if injuries seem minor
• Photograph the hazard, the scene, and any visible injuries
• Get contact information from any witnesses
• Do not give a recorded statement to the property owner's insurer before speaking with an attorney

In the days after:

• Keep all medical records, bills, and correspondence
• Start a journal documenting your pain levels, limitations, and how the injury affects your daily life
• Contact us as early as possible — evidence like surveillance footage can disappear quickly

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Claim in Missouri?

Missouri's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years from the date of the injury. However, if a government-owned property is involved, you may be required to file formal notice in as few as 90 days. Contact an attorney promptly so you understand which deadlines apply.

What if the Property Owner Says I Wasn’t Paying Attention?

This is one of the most common insurance defenses in premises liability cases. Missouri's comparative fault rule means your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not barred from collecting. We build the evidence needed to counter unfair blame-shifting.

What if I Don’t Have Photos or Witnesses?

Don't assume your case isn't worth pursuing. We investigate — obtaining incident reports, maintenance records, surveillance footage, and other documentation that can establish what the property owner knew and when they knew it.

What Does It Cost to Hire Meyerkord Law Group?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.