Premises Liability

It is not uncommon for someone to suffer injuries or other losses on someone else’s property due to negligence of the landowner. Premises liability law holds the person in charge of a piece of land or premises responsible for another person’s injuries, suffered on that premises. This means that property owners are required to keep their property in conditions that are not harmful or potentially dangerous for guests, visitors, and/or employees. Many cases of premises liability are simple “slip and fall” cases, however they can also include other scenarios such as construction accidents and dog bites. 

A major factor of premises liability is determining whether the landowner had known that his/her land was dangerous to others or not. In general, it is difficult to prosecute a property owner if they did not know that their property was dangerous, however there are circumstances which require a landlord to know the condition of his/her property. It is also important to remember that premises liability is not restricted to business or commercial properties. Injuries and accidents on residential properties can also qualify for premises liability depending on the circumstances. 

Examples of Dangerous Premises

There are many different conditions that might constitute dangerous premises. Some of the most common scenarios include: 

• Slipping on a wet surface 
• Tripping on a wire or other object 
• Falling down stairs
• Cuts from broken glass
• Toxic fumes or chemicals 
• Burns from a fire or explosion
• Dog bites/attack

What To Do

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to contact a skilled and experienced attorney immediately, as it is very possible that financial compensation can be received from the landowner. This can be particularly helpful in the case of “slip and fall” accidents, where injuries sustained in the accident might mean time away from work and hospital bills. 

The first and most important step is to file a report with the property owner. It is also important, if possible, to take pictures of the area where the accident took place as proof that the conditions were not safe. Lastly, it is helpful if there were any witnesses of the accident. An eye witness account can be instrumental in building your case.