Premises Liability

Premises liability law concerns slip-and-fall accidents, among other mishaps, and the parties responsible for such accidents. Under premises liability law, all property and business owners have the express responsibility to ensure a safe environment for visitors and guests under reasonable circumstances. When property owners fail in this responsibility and a guest sustains injury, that guest may have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit and should contact a lawyer immediately.

• What constitutes premises liability?

• Common Causes for Premises Liability Claims

What constitutes premises liability?

To build a premises liability case, the plaintiff needs to prove one of the following points:

• The property owner or manager created the condition that led to injury.

• The property owner or manager knew of the dangerous condition but failed to prevent it.

• The dangerous condition existed for long enough that a reasonable person should have been aware of and repaired it.

In short, property owners and managers have a responsibility to maintain an environment that is safe for a reasonable person to use.

Common Causes for Premises Liability Claims

Under premises liability law, any condition that is unsafe and that could have reasonably been prevented by a property owner or manager is grounds for a premises liability lawsuit if it causes an injury to someone else. Some of the most common grounds for premises liability claims include:

• Unmarked wet floors

• Uneven walking surfaces, such as floors, carpets, or sidewalks

• Unmarked or broken steps or stairs

• Faulty construction

• Unsafe food products

• Insufficient security

• Poor lighting

• Lack of warning signs for any dangerous conditions or areas

• Workplace injuries, including construction accidents