Premises Liability

Premises liability refers to accidents resulting from the negligence of a property or business owner that cause personal injury to someone using their premises. Such accidents can include slip/trip and falls resulting from dangerous conditions on the premises floors or grounds, accidents caused by faulty construction or faulty maintenance of the premises, accidents caused by other defective conditions existing on the premises, swimming pool accidents, or injuries arising from a criminal act caused by a breach in security at the premises.

Slip or Trip and Fall

The majority of premises liability claims relate to slip or trip and fall accidents occurring at a business/retail establishment. However, such accidents can also occur at residences or in public places. “Slip and fall” and “trip and fall” are general terms used when a person slips, trips or falls due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property. Injuries from these accidents are common and often due to the negligence of a person or company who is in charge of maintaining the areas in and around their premises. Business owners and property owners must use reasonable care to provide for the safety and well-being of their customers, guests and other “invitees” using their premises. The type of care that is reasonable depends on the particular circumstance and situation. A business owner’s responsibilities may include regular inspections of the premises, regular sweeping or cleaning/clearing of the floors and parking lots of the premises, having properly trained staff on-duty, setting out proper warning signs when a condition cannot be promptly attended to, providing adequate lighting, and having clear and visible walking lanes in and on the premises. In many retail establishments, a customer’s attention is distracted from where they are walking by products on display or on the shelves, or by catchy advertisements. Changes in flooring levels, stairs, steps or curbs should be painted with bright colors to catch one’s attention or accompanied by clear warning signs to alert someone to “watch their step.”

Slip/trip and fall claims can be very difficult to prove and are often fraught with legal and factual issues that can defeat a claim. It is important that you engage the help of an attorney experienced in slip or trip and fall lawyer to help you through these difficult claims.

If you or someone you know are injured in a slip/trip and fall accident while on someone’s business premises, it is important to request an accident report, so that the facts are written down. Information taken that day is much more accurate as your memory is fresh from the incident. You probably won’t be given a copy of the report but it will, at least, verify the incident. As time goes on, your recollection of the incident won’t be as fresh. It is important that you also make note of where and when the accident occurred, identify any witnesses, and confirm what was the condition that caused the fall. If possible, take pictures of the area, so that you have evidence of the condition of the area when you fell and the condition that caused your fall. If there are video cameras, you should contact the attorneys at Cecere Law, LLC in Rockville, Maryland as soon as possible, so that a preservation letter can be sent. If you wait too long, the video footage could be damaged or destroyed.

Other Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability claims can also involve being injured by faulty construction or faulty maintenance of the premises, accidents caused by other defective conditions existing on the premises, swimming pool accidents, or injuries arising from a criminal act caused by a breach in security at the premises resulting in injury or even death to an innocent victim. Faulty conditions at a business or private premises can include poor or old construction that fails, or product or items that have been improperly stored or shelved, all resulting in injury to a guest or customer.

Owners and managers of apartment buildings or business owners are under a duty to act reasonably in providing security to their residents, customers or guests. The level and forms of security required depend on the specific circumstance existing at the particular premises. Security measures can include appropriate lighting, self-locking doors, surveillance video cameras, door alarms, doorman and security guards, to name just a few. I a tenant, guest or customer suffers injury on the premises that is caused by a criminal who took advantage of a failure to institute or maintain a particular form of security at a premises, that injured person could have an action against the premises owner.

Get Help From an Experienced Premises Liability Lawyer Today!

Whether the injury resulted from a slip and fall, faulty maintenance or construction, or a negligent breach of security, contact an experienced premises liability lawyer at Cecere Law, LLC as soon as possible to discuss the specifics of your case. We are dedicated to making sure that you obtain the compensation and justice you are owed. Call the premises liability lawyers at Cecere Law, LLC in Rockville, Maryland at (301) 948-6363.