What Is a Premises Liability Case?

A premises liability case is a legal action taken when someone is injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. This type of case falls under personal injury law and holds property owners, occupiers, or managers responsible for maintaining a safe environment for visitors. If someone is injured due to negligence in maintaining the property, they may be entitled to compensation.

In a premises liability case, the injured person must prove that the property owner was negligent in addressing a hazardous condition. Common examples include:

• Slip and fall accidents: These happen when a property owner fails to maintain safe walking surfaces, such as slippery floors or uneven pavement.
• Inadequate lighting: Poor lighting in areas like stairwells or parking lots can lead to accidents and injuries.
• Negligent security: If a property owner fails to provide adequate security, leading to crimes like assaults, they may be liable for injuries.
• Swimming pool accidents: Dangerous conditions around pools, like lack of proper fencing or broken safety equipment, can lead to injuries.

For a successful premises liability claim, the injured party must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, failed to fix it, and that the condition directly caused the injury. Depending on the circumstances, visitors to the property may have different legal rights. For instance, a customer at a store has more rights than a trespasser.

In summary, a premises liability case seeks to hold property owners accountable for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their property, ensuring the injured person receives compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.