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Premises liability accidents are any type of accident that occurs when someone is injured on someone else’s property due to the negligence of the property owner. These injuries, while often dismissed as minor, can potentially have severe repercussions for anyone who suffers them. Here are seven common mistakes that property owners make that can lead to premises liability accidents:
- Dirty or cluttered floors
- A common issue in many premises liability accidents, property owners do not always take the time to ensure their floors are clean and clear. Any spilled food or liquid, as well as any debris left on the ground, can easily lead to people tripping or slipping and falling. While many of these accidents are minor, some can be quite serious and require emergency medical attention.
- Broken or damaged flooring
- Sometimes, the problem is not what is on the floor, but rather the condition of the flooring itself. Like any other part of your property, carpets, floorboards and tiles can all degrade over time, becoming unsafe to walk on. Damaged carpeting may become unglued and slip under someone’s feet, damaged floorboards may shudder under a person’s weight, and in extreme circumstances, the floor may even collapse right under them.
- Inadequate signposting of hazards
- It is not always possible to address every possible hazard on a person’s property right away, but that’s what signs are for. Adequate signposting can help people avoid potential dangers, preventing them from being hurt by dangers a property owner has not yet been able to repair. When property owners are negligent about this, they risk people encountering those hazards and getting hurt, leading to a premises liability accident.
- Lack of adequate lighting
- A surprisingly common cause of premises liability accidents is a simple lack of lighting in places where people frequently go. Poor lighting is a hazard unto itself, especially in places like stairwells where poor visibility can lead to serious falls. However, it can also be a security hazard, as poorly lit areas are ideal places for muggings, assaults, and other criminal activity.
- Lack of security measures
- Speaking of security, property owners have a responsibility to their tenants, guests, and visitors to ensure it is reasonably secure against foreseeable crimes. This means installing security cameras, hiring guards, putting bars over windows, and doing whatever else is necessary to dissuade potential criminals. If they fail to take these steps and someone is injured in a crime committed on their premises, they may be held legally liable for that harm.
- Unsecured swimming pools
- Swimming pools are a common form of entertainment during the summer, whether you are talking about public pools available to the community, private pools maintained by a gym, or a pool built in someone’s backyard. However, these fun attractions pose potential dangers, since anyone can potentially wander in and drown at any time. Property owners with pools who fail to keep lifeguards on duty while they are in use, or who fail to secure their pools against people who might wander in, potentially risk a premises liability suit if someone gets hurt.
- Untrained or unleashed dogs
- People love dogs, but dogs are serious responsibilities, and are capable of inflicting serious harm on someone if they are left out of control. Poorly trained dogs may bite someone unprovoked, and dogs that are let outside without a leash can potentially attack someone just for walking by. If that happens, it can result in a premises liability suit.
For more than 40 years, the Drucker Law Firm has been providing personal and quality legal services to individuals, universities, and corporations throughout the New York City and Tri-State area. We have represented three generations of clients in personal injury cases, as well as immigration, real estate, and general litigation matters. If you have a legal issue related to personal injury law, please give us a call at (718) 458-1489 to schedule a consultation or visit our contact page.
