Overview
Premises liability cases, particularly slip-and-fall claims, are among the most common referral opportunities for personal injury firms. While many firms handle basic premises cases, complex claims involving serious injuries or challenging liability often benefit from specialist handling. Common scenarios include commercial property accidents, inadequate security cases, retail store injuries, and apartment complex injuries.
Premises liability makes an excellent referral opportunity because:
Cases are frequent and consistently available
Liability often hinges on specialized knowledge of property management
Many involve commercial insurance with substantial coverage
Larger property owners often have multiple prior incidents
Cases may involve multiple defendants (owner, manager, maintenance)
Complex notice issues require specialized discovery approaches
Expert testimony requirements favor experienced handlers
Screening Criteria
Statute of Limitations
Most states: 2-3 years
Government entities often require notice within 60-180 days
Some states distinguish between residential/commercial properties
Claims against municipalities may have shorter periods
Referral Intake Screening Questions
Where exactly did the incident occur?
What caused you to fall/get injured?
Was there a hazardous condition? Describe it.
How long had the condition existed?
Were there any warning signs or barriers?
Did anyone witness the incident?
Was an incident report created?
Did you take photos of the condition?
What type of shoes were you wearing?
What were you doing just before the incident?
Did the property owner/manager acknowledge the hazard?
Have there been similar incidents at this location?
Major Disqualifiers
No clear hazardous condition
Open and obvious conditions
Minimal injuries (soft tissue only)
No documentation of the condition
Contributory negligence in strict jurisdictions
Property owner not identified
Natural accumulations in some jurisdictions
Trespassing at time of injury
No evidence of notice to property owner
Typical Signup Rate
20-25% of screened cases proceed to representation
Higher rates (30%+) for commercial properties
Lower rates (15%) for residential claims
Significantly higher rates when photos exist
Fee Structure
Typical Contingency Percentages
33-40% standard contingency
Higher percentages if litigation required
Cost advances usually required
May increase based on case complexity
Referral Fee Ranges
25% of fee is standard
Up to 33% for pre-worked cases
Some firms offer scaled fees based on case stage
Higher splits available for multiple referrals
Pro Tip: Focus on serious injuries at commercial properties where the hazard is documented. Cases with incident reports, surveillance video, or photographs of the condition are particularly valuable. Multiple prior incidents at the same location significantly increase case value.