It’s the legal responsibility of a property owner or occupier to ensure the safety of people who enter their premises. Therefore, if an individual is injured due to the property owner’s negligence, they should be held accountable for the damages. Note that, state laws vary on the details or procedures of premises liability cases, so consult a premises liability attorney for guidance.
The following are the common types of premises liability injuries.
1. Stairways Accidents
A person can get injured on stairs if they fall or slip on wet or icy stairs. Also, a loose or uneven staircase can lead to falls, causing bodily harm. In addition, property owners can be held liable for injuries caused by falls due to missing or defective handrails, inadequate lighting on stairs, or falls on stairs that are not up to the correct standard. The property owners must keep their properties safe for workers or visitors. If you’re injured on the stairs, seek a lawyer at a nearby premises liabilty law firm and file a lawsuit.
2. Slip and Fall Injuries
These are the most common premises liability injuries. They occur when there is a hazard on the property, such as wet or icy surfaces, especially at malls, parking lots, and grocery stores. Knocking over loose objects like boxes, toys, and things on the floor can also cause slip and fall injuries. A person can also fall when walking on surfaces with uneven tiles and cracks that are difficult to see. There is an increased risk of falling and slipping in places with poor lighting. Property owners should be held accountable if they knew of the hazard but failed to take the proper measures.
3. Dog-Bite Accidents
Pets like dogs and other animals can attack and injure visitors. The owners should be held liable for the damages caused to their animals. To establish liability for a dog bite accident, the plaintiff must show that the pet owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous and failed to control it. They should also prove that the property owner owns or manages the dog that attacked them. If a store owner allows employees to bring dogs to work and a dog bites a customer, that should also be considered premises liability.
4. Fires and Chemical Exposure
Harmful chemicals, fumes, and toxins on-premises can lead to injuries, death, or illnesses if workers or visitors are exposed. Fire can be a premises liability if the property owner fails to install or maintain a smoke alarm in a rental unit, causing fire injuries to a tenant. If a fire breaks out in a warehouse where the owner stores flammable materials unsafely, they will be held liable for the injuries sustained by workers. To win the lawsuit, a premises liability attorney should prove that the property owner was negligent and failed to keep the property safe from fire and toxic substances.
5. Construction Site Negligence
A property owner should be held accountable for injuries at the construction site if they fail to secure or warn of hazards like exposed wires, uneven surfaces, or trenches. It is the site owner’s responsibility to provide adequate safety equipment, like hard hats and safety glasses, and train employees on safety procedures. In addition, if site owners fail to inspect the property for hazards and someone gets injured, they will be held liable. Injured persons should prove that the occupier or property owner failed to keep the premises safe and breached the duty of care, causing harm.
If you are injured on another person’s premises, and the injuries could have been prevented, you are entitled to compensation. Premises liability cases caused by falls and trips at stairways, dog bites, and construction site negligence can affect your quality of life. Hire a qualified lawyer to maximize your chances of getting the proper pay.
