If you are a property owner, hearing stories about establishments getting sued after an accident happened within their premises can be worrying. Since it is their responsibility to keep their visitors safe, the latter has the right to sue when they have been put in harm’s way. The case that will be filed against negligent owners is a premise liability lawsuit.
What does premise liability mean? And what are the things you can do to prevent accidents from happening within your property?
What Is Premise Liability?
Premises liability is the potential legal duty and responsibility of a property owner to keep their areas safe and secure. Hence, if a visitor gets injured and there are proof and pieces of evidence that indicate that the accident was due to the negligence and recklessness of the owner, victims can file a case and may receive compensation for their medical bills, treatment, pain and suffering, and more.
A premise liability lawsuit is a type of personal injury case. For it to be successful, the victim must prove that their injuries are the fault of the establishment and that the owner has failed to secure their property. Some of the most common incidents that have resulted in injuries are slip and fall accidents, chemical or restaurant burns, dog attacks, pool accidents, and harm due to insufficient security.
The Things You Need To Know About Premise Liability Lawsuits
Premise liability lawsuits can apply to two types of owners: homeowners and commercial property owners. Even if an accident happened in your home, you may still get sued as long as the victim has been invited by you.
There are many differences between the laws that apply to your state and other areas. Hence, if you live in Florida, you should research the laws that apply to your state or ask the help of a personal injury lawyer that is practicing in Florida.
Ways To Keep Your Premises Safe
Accidents are not 100% avoidable. However, we can prevent many of them from happening within our properties and avoid harming other people’s lives. Here are some tips to keep your area safe not only for you but also for your clients, visitors, employees, and staff.
Clean your space
Trip and fall or slip and fall accidents often happen when an establishment is not clean or properly maintained. Make sure to clean your space regularly, especially for commercial buildings. Trim your trees, remove debris, and get rid of unnecessary clutter.
Put up warning signs
Always check your area for spiling. If you or a staff member have recently mopped your floors, make sure to put a hazard sign to inform your customers. Unfortunately, they can slip and break their backs when they are unaware of the hazard. Also, make sure that your signs are visible, or they will not do their job.
Repair and replace whenever necessary
Are there any tools or equipment that have already been in use for several years? If that machine has been there for long or if that protective clothing is almost in pieces, it is time to repair or have them replaced.
Understand the risks
Even if your HVAC systems have been running for years, it is still worth asking for the help of a commercial HVAC contractor. Thankfully, if you live in Sacramento, finding one is easy. You can search for a commercial HVAC contractor in Sacramento and get a list of reputable companies that will help you maintain your systems. Be sure to regularly check your building’s systems and have them repaired or replaced whenever necessary to ensure the safety of everyone on your premises.
Let there be light
Did you know that many accidents happen due to insufficient lighting? Whenever there are bulbs that are no longer working, make sure to have them replaced immediately. Check your home or building and see if your visitors can see well, especially in the dark.
Schedule inspections
Make sure to hire professionals for regular inspection. This will include the condition of your building, your HVAC systems, the tools and equipment you and your staff use, your landscaping, and more. Doing this regularly will lessen the likelihood of accidents by a huge margin instead of waiting for them to be worn out, causing potential hazards.
Provide your employees with proper gear
Are you operating a business or office that makes your employees handle volatile chemicals? Are you in the construction industry where accidents can happen in the blink of an eye? If so, investing in your workers’ safety is crucial. Make sure to get the protective gear and equipment and establish proper safety procedures in the workplace.
Do not risk safety just to save on expenses
As the owner, it can be tempting to hold back on that scheduled inspection or delay that equipment upgrade to save money. However, believe us when we say that you should never scrimp on safety, or it will cost you a lot more in the future.
Hire A Premise Liability Lawyer For Protection
As the owner of the property, it is your duty to keep your establishment safe for any individual who steps on it. We can always keep our property safe, however, there are still times when despite our preparations, accidents can still happen.
If you find yourself being held liable for an accident that happened within your home or establishment, do not hesitate to ask for legal advice. The best people whom you can ask for assistance are not your friends or acquaintances but from a seasoned premise liability lawyer.
What if you or someone you know has been badly burnt or injured in a public place? Is there something you can do about it? If this happens, you can also get advice from a premise liability lawyer so that you will know if you may be eligible for compensation.
