Property owners, property management companies, and businesses have a legal duty to maintain their land and buildings with a certain standard of safety and care.
Local, state, and federal building and land regulations protect the public from neglected and dangerous conditions no matter whose property you’re on. After all, when you move about the world, you expect a level of basic safety. So when a property owner or tenant:
- Fails to inspect their property for dangers,
- Fails to fix the dangerous conditions on the premises, or
- Fails to warn others about known dangers on the property,
Common Premises Liability Accidents and Injuries
Unsafe property conditions can come in many forms. Some common examples include:-
- Building code violations such as blocked fire exits, insufficient smoke alarms, lack of handrails, improper venting, or electrical or structural problems
- Poor engineering, construction, or building materials
- Missing guardrails, fencing, or other safety barriers
- Improperly maintained accessibility aids like wheelchair ramps
- Obstructed or poorly maintained walkways or stairways
- Swimming pool or amusement park accidents
- Dangerous conditions from snow and ice
- Water leaks or flooding hazards
Slip & Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries could happen anywhere – the sidewalk, the grocery store, a public park, a movie theater. Some areas are more prone to slips and falls, such as escalators, elevators, swimming pools, or construction sites. But any uneven or slippery surface could be a hazard. Property managers should be especially conscious of slip and fall risks around:- Uneven floors, sidewalks, or stairs, especially if icy
- Wet floors and other environmental conditions such as snow and wind
- Unsafe stairs, ladders, deteriorating floors, or loose floorboards or rugs
- Grease, oil, or other liquids on the floor that haven’t been cleaned up
- Economic damages cover your monetary losses like medical bills and lost income.
- Non-economic damages address the pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
- Punitive damages punish bad actors for especially abhorrent behavior. This helps deter the guilty party from repeating their actions and sets an example for others. Punitive damages could come into play if a property manager blatantly ignores signs of danger despite multiple injuries that keep escalating over time.