Premises Liability

Premises liability is a term used to describe the legal responsibility that a landowner and occupiers of a property have for injuries and accidents that occur on their property. Premises liability claims can be filed for a variety of reasons.

Slip and fall claims are common. In addition, claims may be filed for injuries from equipment that is used on the property. Also injuries that may be a result of another person’s actions on the property may be the responsibility of a property owner, especially if the owner fails to provide adequate security on the property. People who are injured may be able to recover compensation for their injuries from the owner or possessor of the property on which the injury occurred. Some common types of premises liability cases include the following situations:

• Slip and Fall. A supermarket fails to mop up a wet floor, and a customer slips and falls as a result.
• Inadequate Maintenance. A land owner fails to maintain the premises in such a way as to avoid injury to the public, such as when a falling tree branch injures a passerby.
• Defective Conditions. A store owner fails to repair or warn of a dangerous condition on the premises, such as a broken staircase.
• Inadequate Security. A parking structure company fails to install adequate lighting or warn patrons about dangerous criminal activity taking place on the premises.

When considering filing a premises liability claim action should be taken in a timely manner. The first reason why this is important is that you want to protect and preserve vital evidence on the case. Secondly there may be statues of limitations that limit the time you have to file a claim after an injury has occurred. If you have reason to believe the negligence of a property owner has contributed to an injury you’ve sustained, then speaking to a premises liability lawyer should be a priority. Premises liabilities cases will often allow damages based on pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. Further premises liability may also compensate the surviving family members in the event of death as a result of qualifying injuries.