Additional Information: Slip & Fall, Property Owner Responsibility

Businesses, schools, governmental agencies and other organizations are required by law to create and maintain premises that are safe and free of hazards.

Unsafe conditions like faulty wiring, improperly stacked merchandise and loose carpeting cause accidents resulting in injury or even death. The attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. are exceptionally well-versed in the legal responsibilities and liabilities of businesses or organizations that fail to provide safe environments for the people who visit them.

An injury or death resulting from the negligent design, maintenance or operation of a property leaves the injured person or their family with the legal right to pursue a claim for compensation against the property owner, landlord or another party responsible for maintenance. Property owners are legally obligated to maintain safe conditions at all times.

Premises liability claims generally fall into two areas:

1. Improper design, maintenance or operation.  These accidents are sometimes called “slip and fall” or “trip and fall,” and occur due to negligent conditions, including:
1. Wet, slippery or wet surfaces
2. Broken or uneven pavement
3. Falling merchandise
4. Falling equipment – elevators, lifts, escalators, ladders
5. Improper lighting or traffic patterns

2. Security-related liability.  This refers to a failure by property owners or managers to provide adequate security, resulting in physical assault, personal injury and even death.  This type of liability includes:
1. Assault in hotels, malls, casinos, and amusement parks
2. Broken security gates
3. Improper training or supervision
4. Failure to warn
5. Inadequate or missing signage

If an unsafe condition has caused you to be hurt on someone’s premises, one of the first things you should do is document the condition of the property in a way that will show the physical characteristics of the height, width, depth, nature of the substance, etc. before someone goes out and repairs the condition. Many times the owner of property, learning of an injury, will go out and conduct a repair. They do this for two reasons: to eliminate evidence and to make sure no one else gets injured.

While many businesses and homeowners carry premises liability insurance; it is often insufficient to pay any significant damage compensation fully. To ensure that you receive the best compensation available, consult with an attorney who specializes in premises liability before talking with an insurance company. Insurance is a business, and like any business, their own interests and profit are their priority.

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