It is the responsibility of property owners to keep their premises protected in order to protect visitors from injury. Property owners risk being held responsible for any damages that come from their inability to do so. If you are injured on someone else’s property, contact a Macon personal injury lawyer.
Types of dangers that can cause premises liability claims
Various hazards can lead to premises accidents. Below are some common hazards that result in lawsuits for premises liability.
- Fall, trip, and slip hazards
Fall or trip accidents are the most common grounds for premises liability claims. A property may have several kinds of risks that could lead to guests, visitors, or clients slipping and falling, such as:
- Poor lighting
- Spilled food or drinks
- Uneven floor surfaces
- Torn carpeting
- Broken staircase
- Merchandise left in store aisle
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks
- Negligent security
Property owners must provide a sufficient level of security for visitors. Landlords of apartment buildings, restaurants and nightclubs, shops and stores, and other land owners and operators must take adequate measures to protect customers, renters, guests, and visitors from criminal conduct by third parties. Owners and operators of the property may be held responsible for premises liability if guests are the victims of robbery, assault, rape, or other crimes as a result of inadequate security.
- Dangerous conditions
A property’s dangerous characteristics can give rise to premises liability claims. Typical situations consist of:
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Dangerous staircases with broken or missing handrails, slippery or damaged steps, debris on the stairs, poor lighting, and other hazards.
- Defective elevators
- Environmental dangers like asbestos, lead paint, or mold.
- Animal Attacks and Dog Bites
If you get attacked by a dog on someone else’s property, you may be responsible for the injuries under premises liability law. Dog bite liability rules are very strict. Pet owners may be held accountable for any damage or losses caused by their pets, and victims may not have to show evidence of the owner’s negligence. The only exception is if the victim of a dog attack was not authorized to be on the owner’s property at the moment of the assault.
- Swimming pool accidents
Pools often become the center of premises liability claims. These are pool-related hazards that might result in drowning or mishaps and give rise to lawsuits against property owners:
- Lack of warning signs
- Improper handling of pool chemicals
- Inadequate fencing
- Poor lighting
- No pool safety equipment