Minneapolis Premises Liability Lawyer

Since 1961, Meshbesher & Spence has been a fixture in Minnesota, stepping in when property owners fail to meet their basic responsibilities. Whether it’s a poorly maintained parking ramp downtown or a hazardous walkway at a local business, a property owner’s neglect can lead to a long road of recovery for you and your family. 

Our lawyers will focus on the facts: the owner had a duty to keep their premises safe, they failed, and you were hurt because of it. Our firm was built on the idea that “The Lawyer You Choose Makes a Difference,” and our record of recovering over $1.1 billion shows that we take that responsibility seriously. We’re here to provide the legal weight, resources, and guidance you need to hold a negligent party accountable.

If you’re ready to discuss what happened, a Minneapolis premises liability attorney at Meshbesher & Spence is ready to listen. Give us a call at (612) 339-9121 or fill out our online form to start your 100% free case review.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Mr. Sheehy and his outstanding team. From start to finish, he was highly professional, proactive, and exceptionally responsive, always making me feel informed and confident throughout the process. He truly got the job done with integrity and precision. It was an honor to shake his hand and work with someone who genuinely cares about his clients and their outcomes. His team is simply the best, and I cannot recommend them highly enough!”

– Nicole D. | Client

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability states that property owners are responsible for injuries that happen on their land or inside their buildings if they didn’t keep the area safe.

In Minnesota, this doesn’t mean a property owner is responsible for every single trip or fall. To have a case, we usually need to show that:

1. A dangerous condition existed on the property.
2. The owner knew (or should have known) about the danger.
3. The owner failed to fix it or warn you about it.
4. That specific danger caused your injury.

Am I Eligible to File a Premises Liability Claim?

Determining if you can take legal action depends on why you were on the property. Minnesota law generally looks at whether the owner acted reasonably under the circumstances.

• Invitees and Licensees: If you were at a business, eating at a restaurant, or visiting a friend’s home, the owner owes you a high level of care. They must inspect the property and fix hazards.
• Trespassers: Generally, owners owe less care to people who aren’t supposed to be there. However, there are exceptions, especially if the owner knows people often cross their land or if there is something dangerous that might attract children (like an unsecured pool).

It’s time someone looked out for you. Reach a Minneapolis premises liability attorney at (612) 339-9121 or fill out our online form and find out where you really stand.

How Can a Minneapolis Premises Liability Lawyer Help?

It’s fair to ask whether hiring a lawyer is necessary. Most people assume they can explain what happened, and the insurance company will handle the rest. In reality, insurers are trained to reduce claims, question injuries, and shift responsibility.

When you work with Meshbesher & Spence, you’re bringing in a team that knows how these cases are actually evaluated and defended. We help by:

• Preserving and securing evidence early: We act quickly to obtain surveillance footage, maintenance logs, incident reports, and inspection records before they disappear or are overwritten.
• Reconstructing how the injury happened: We work with engineers, building inspectors, medical professionals, and safety experts who can explain why a property was unsafe and how that condition led directly to the injury.
• Handling deadlines and legal requirements: Premises claims involve strict notice rules, filing deadlines, and procedural steps. We manage those details so technical missteps don’t undermine a valid case.
• Pushing back against blame-shifting: If an insurer claims the hazard was “obvious” or tries to place responsibility on you, we counter those arguments with documentation, expert analysis, and Minnesota law.
• Negotiating from a position of strength: With more than $1.1 billion recovered and over 60 years of experience, we know when an offer falls short and when a case needs to be prepared for trial to get fair value.

From Slip to Settlement: Experienced Lawyers Back You Against Negligent Property Owners

When a case matters this much, it’s personal. We’ve seen clients and families face life-changing injuries and financial uncertainty, and we fight for them like they’re our own. Every case we take is one we invest in fully, from time to resources to experience.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases in Minneapolis

Premises liability covers a wide range of injuries, but many of the cases we see in Minneapolis follow clear patterns tied to our climate, building stock, and population. Our Minneapolis premises liability lawyers use local data, city ordinances, and property records to build cases that reflect what actually happens here—not generic examples.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Minneapolis

Falls are one of the most serious safety issues in Minnesota, especially for older adults. In 2024 alone, about 12,000 Minnesotans age 65 and older were hospitalized due to falls, and another 30,000 were treated in emergency rooms. In 2023, falls caused approximately 1,350 deaths statewide, giving Minnesota the second-highest fall death rate in the country, behind only Wisconsin.

In a city like Minneapolis, where grocery stores, apartment buildings, medical offices, and public buildings see heavy foot traffic year-round, unsafe flooring, poor lighting, loose mats, and unmarked hazards can quickly lead to broken hips, wrist fractures, or head injuries. 

Snow and Ice Hazards on Minneapolis Properties

Minneapolis property owners are required to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall (and within 4 hours for businesses), but compliance is far from perfect.

Even in relatively mild winters like 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, rapid freeze-thaw cycles created layers of compacted ice on sidewalks and entryways. According to the Twin Cities Snow and Cold Index, winter severity can fluctuate dramatically year to year, from just 16 points in 2011–2012 to 207 points during the brutal 2013–2014 winter.

These conditions matter legally. When property owners delay snow removal or ignore refreezing risks, sidewalks, parking lots, and entry ramps become predictable danger zones. A Minneapolis premises liability lawyer can assess whether winter maintenance met city and safety standards.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Minneapolis

Dog bite claims are rising across the city. Minneapolis ranks among the top 20 U.S. cities for dog attacks on mail carriers, with 27 reported incidents in 2023. Statewide, hospital-treated dog bites increased 40% over an eight-year period, with the highest injury rates among children ages 1 to 4, often occurring in residential settings.

Minnesota follows a strict liability rule for dog bites, meaning owners are often responsible even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. These cases frequently involve apartment complexes, rental homes, or shared common areas where animals were not properly restrained.

Negligent Security in Apartments, Businesses, and Parking Ramps

Certain areas of Minneapolis have seen increases in specific violent incidents in recent years. When property owners know, or should know, that crime is a risk, they have a duty to take reasonable safety steps.

Negligent security cases often involve:

• Broken or missing locks
• Poor lighting in stairwells or parking ramps
• Unsecured building entrances
• Lack of security measures in high-activity areas

If someone is assaulted because a property owner ignored known safety risks, Minneapolis premises liability attorneys can examine prior incidents, police data, and maintenance records to determine liability.

Poor Maintenance in Older Minneapolis Buildings

Minneapolis has a large number of aging apartment buildings, converted warehouses, and parking structures, especially in areas like Downtown, Uptown, and the North Loop. Deferred maintenance is a common issue.

We regularly see injuries tied to:

• Crumbling concrete or uneven walking surfaces
• Broken handrails
• Dim stairwells
• Elevators that haven’t been properly inspected

When owners fail to keep properties in a safe condition or ignore inspection requirements, preventable injuries happen.

Swimming Pool and Drowning Accidents

Drowning and submersion injuries remain a serious concern, particularly for children. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fatal drownings among children under 15 increased by 12% in a single year.

Premises liability cases involving pools often stem from:

• Missing or inadequate fencing
• Broken gates or latches
• Unsafe drain covers
• Lack of supervision in shared or hotel pools

Whether the pool is in a backyard, apartment complex, or fitness center, property owners must follow safety rules designed to prevent tragic outcomes.

Common Injuries a Minneapolis Premises Liability Attorney Can Help You With

Injuries caused by unsafe property conditions can range from painful to life-changing. Because these accidents often involve hard surfaces, sudden falls, or unexpected impacts, the injuries tend to be more serious than people expect. We regularly see clients with:

• Broken bones, including wrists, arms, hips, ankles, and ribs
• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs and spinal cord damage
• Shoulder and knee injuries, including tears to ligaments and tendons
• Soft tissue injuries, such as severe sprains, strains, and muscle tears
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Facial and dental injuries
• Burns
• Nerve damage that causes ongoing pain or loss of sensation

What to Do After an Accident on Someone Else’s Property

If you’re injured on someone else’s property, what you do in the hours and days that follow can matter just as much as what caused the injury. If you’re able, consider taking these steps:

• Report the incident right away: Let the property owner, manager, or staff know what happened as soon as possible. This applies whether you slipped, were struck by something, bitten by a dog, or injured due to poor security. Ask for a written incident report and request a copy for your records.
• Document the scene: Take photos or videos of the condition that caused the injury, such as ice, broken steps, poor lighting, missing handrails, unsecured doors, or anything else that made the property unsafe. Dangerous conditions can be repaired or removed quickly, so capturing them early is important.
• Collect witness information: If anyone saw the incident or the unsafe condition beforehand, get their names and contact details. Neutral third-party accounts can be valuable later.
• Get medical care promptly: Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by a medical professional. Head, neck, and soft tissue injuries don’t always show symptoms right away, and medical records help establish a clear connection between the accident and your injuries.
• Be careful with insurance communications: Property owners and insurers may reach out quickly. Avoid giving detailed statements, signing documents, or agreeing to anything before speaking with Minneapolis premises liability attorneys who understand how these claims are handled.

Can a Minneapolis Premises Liability Lawyer Still Help Me Recover Money If I’m Being Blamed for the Accident?

It’s common for insurance companies to start by pointing the finger at you. You may hear things like, “You should’ve been paying more attention,” or “That hazard was obvious.” These arguments aren’t accidental. They’re designed to limit what the insurer has to pay.

Minnesota follows a comparative fault system. Under this rule, you can still recover money as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the incident. Fault isn’t all-or-nothing—it’s divided based on what actually happened.

For example, a jury might decide you were 20% responsible for not noticing a hazard, while the property owner was 80% responsible for failing to fix a known problem or warn visitors. In that situation, you can still recover 80% of your total losses.

This rule matters because property owners and insurers often exaggerate a person’s role in the accident. They may argue that weather conditions were “obvious,” lighting was “adequate,” or that you should have avoided the area altogether. Those claims don’t automatically hold up, especially when a dangerous condition had been ignored for days, weeks, or longer.

At Meshbesher & Spence, we focus on the facts that actually matter: what the property owner knew, how long the hazard existed, and whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent harm. When insurers try to shift blame, we’re prepared to push back with evidence, not excuses.

If an insurance company is blaming you, it’s time to change the conversation. Call (612) 339-9121 and speak with a team that builds cases on evidence, not excuses.

What Kind of Financial Recovery Is Available?

When a premises liability claim is filed, the goal is to address the real financial impact of the injury. An accident on unsafe property often leaves people dealing with expenses and losses they never planned for. A Minneapolis premises liability lawyer looks at the full picture of how the injury has affected your life and works to close that financial gap.

Depending on the facts of the case, recovery may include:

• Past and future medical expenses: This can cover emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, follow-up visits, medication, physical therapy, and future treatment tied to the injury.
• Lost income and reduced earning ability: If the injury kept you out of work, limited your hours, or prevents you from returning to the same type of job, those losses matter and can be part of a claim.
• Physical pain and ongoing discomfort: Serious injuries often come with lasting physical effects that impact day-to-day life well beyond the initial accident.
• Loss of enjoyment and daily function: When an injury interferes with hobbies, family responsibilities, independence, or routine activities, that loss has value under Minnesota law.

Insurance companies frequently try to narrow these categories or downplay long-term effects. Having experienced legal representation can make a measurable difference. A Martindale-Nolo study found that more than 90% of people who hired a personal injury lawyer received a settlement or award, compared to about half of those who handled claims on their own.

A Minneapolis Premises Liability Law Firm That Offers Real Advocacy

For decades, Meshbesher & Spence has handled cases where unsafe property conditions were treated as “no big deal” until someone was seriously hurt. 

Our firm has been practicing law in Minnesota since 1961, and that history matters. Insurance companies know which firms prepare cases thoroughly and which ones don’t. With more than $1.1 billion recovered, we approach every premises liability case with the expectation that it must stand up to scrutiny, not just negotiation.

If you want to talk through what happened and understand whether you have a viable claim, a Minneapolis premises liability attorney at Meshbesher & Spence is ready to have that conversation. Call (612) 339-9121 or fill out our online form when you’re ready.

Proudly Representing Minneapolis Residents