Austin Premises Liability Lawyer

Last updated on March 18, 2026

The concept of premises liability is that all property owners are responsible for the safety and security of their properties. If they fail in that duty, and you get hurt, you can pursue them for compensation.

My name is Matthew Shrum, and I help people in Austin struggling after serious personal injuries. As a premises liability attorney, my job is to pursue property owners for damage caused by their negligence. When you work with me, you get an attorney devoted to your best outcomes and who will fight for you, taking your case as far as needed.

I take pride in being client-first in my approach to you. I learn about your story, your pain and I am diligent in the pursuit of your compensation.

The Three Types Of Visitor In Texas Premises Liability Law

In Texas, the potential for how much and what kind of compensation you can get depends on what type of visitor you are to the property. Overall, there are three classes, each with a different potential for pursuing liability claims. They are:

• Invitee: Property owners have the highest duty of care to this class of visitor, and it includes only people with an “implied” right to be on the property for commercial purposes. This includes visitors to shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, and other public areas and any person on private property for commercial purposes, such as repair. The property owner must mitigate all risks to injury as much as is reasonably possible.

• Licensee: The next level of liability is reserved for people invited to be on the property as personal guests, who do not have a business reason for being there. In these cases, a property owner must do everything reasonable to make the property safe or warn the visitor of potential hazards.

• Trespasser: The lowest liability protection is reserved for visitors to the property who do not have permission to be there. However, that does not mean there are no protections, at least as long as the property owner is aware of their presence. Property owners must warn anyone they know is on their property of any potential hazards.

If you receive injuries while on another’s property and you have evidence that the property owner did not fulfill their duty to you, you can file suit. I know how much of a challenge it is to figure out where you may stand in these classes under Texas law, but you can always turn to me to find out how the law applies to your specific situation.

Common Types Of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability injuries are one of the more common types of personal injury claims that exist under the law. The most common types of injury are:

• Slip-and-fall: This category can include both slipping and tripping as a mechanism for an injury. A frequent example is slipping on a spill at a grocery store that the staff has not noticed, cleaned up or put warnings around.

• Dog bites: Any dog bite or animal attack on private property or in other places, can be pursued for compensation. Under Texas law, a dog owner is not responsible for the first bite, but after that, they will face strict liability for attacks.

• Negligent security: Property owners must make sure their facilities are secure from security breaches by installing locks, cameras or warning patrons of potential criminal risk in the area. This is most often a claim against a hotel or parking lot where a person is the victim of a crime.

There are many more types of premises liability cases, and if you’re not sure if your situation is a potential claim, reach out to me to learn more.

What You Should Do After An Injury On Someone Else’s Property

After any injury on someone else’s property, you must take steps to protect yourself and get compensation. The first thing to do is to get medical treatment for the injury. Doing that will start the “paper trail” of your accident, getting medical records and even engaging insurance.

The next thing you should do is limit your communication with the property owner. Depending on your relationship, whether it is a close friend or a business you go to frequently, you do not want to get caught up in ad hoc, person-to-person negotiations where your care is on the line.

There are many more steps to consider that will improve or hurt your potential chances in court. But if you come to me as soon as you can, I can give you the legal road map to what is next. I can take on the stresses and difficulties you face, and help you get the care and support you deserve.

Get A Free Consultation With A Premises Liability Attorney Today

Call my office in Austin as soon as you can to talk about your case. There are personal dynamics involved in premises liability cases that can complicate them. I’ll help you make thoughtful, strategic decisions that protect you throughout your case.

You can reach me at 512-994-0313 or send an email using this online form to set up your free consultation.