Injury or Death Caused by Dangerous Conditions on Another's Property
Injury or Death Caused by Dangerous Conditions on Another's Property - The Todd Smith Law Firm
Injuries caused by falls are called "premises
liability" claims. Legal responsibility in this area is judged
on a case by case basis depending on the knowledge of the property
owner and the type of condition that caused the injury.
This area
of the law covers many different types of cases from slip and fall
accidents at the grocery store, and injuries at another’s
house, to inadequate security leading to a crime. The law in this
area is very complicated and changes often. If you have been injured
on another’s property, contact The Todd Smith Law Firm to
determine if negligence can be established and if there may be insurance
coverage to compensate you for your damages.
1. Disrepair: Commercial building owners or apartment landlords allow their property to fall into disrepair. Often the stairways, walkways and parking lots around their buildings are broken or cracked.
2. Poor Maintenance: A maintenance person mops the floor of a restaurant's restroom, but doesn't post signs warning of the slippery condition. A customer enters the bathroom, slips, and suffers serious injury.
3. Criminal Activity: Commercial building owners or apartment landlords know that their property has been the site of significant criminal activity in the past, but do nothing to protect customers or tenants from future assault.
Premises liability claims require early investigation to document the hazardous condition. Immediate photographs of the area showing (e.g.) a rusted bolt on a stairwell, accumulated ice and snow, or spilled liquid, which led to a fall, can be critical in allowing recovery.
