Most people aren’t terribly familiar with premises liability. They may think of one specific type of incident if this term comes up in conversation, as slip-and-falls are well known for being a source of liability for those who own property or run businesses.
Some people assume that all premises liability claims have to do with someone falling while visiting another’s property. However, slip-and-falls only account for a portion of the premises liability lawsuits initiated every year. There are a host of other ways for businesses to fall short of the obligation to maintain safe premises.
Dangerous interior spaces
Slipping and tripping are far from the only injurious incidents that can occur inside a store, a hotel or another business. Someone could come into contact with frayed electrical wires. They could end up cut by a piece of exposed sheet metal. They could even suffer a brain injury if employees improperly stacked merchandise on a shelf and it then came tumbling down on top of a patron. When the interior spaces of a store are unnecessarily dangerous, anyone hurt while visiting could potentially hold the business responsible.
Improper equipment maintenance
Maintaining a safe space requires regular inspections and investments in repairs in some cases. Keeping a close eye on all equipment inside of a building is typically crucial for safety.
Unsafe exterior spaces
The sidewalks near public roads are technically the obligation of the property owner or business occupying the space. A failure to invest in sidewalk maintenance might mean that someone in a wheelchair gets hurt or that someone jogging past the business trips and breaks a bone. Outdoor spaces need to be as safe as interior spaces to avoid premises liability lawsuits.
Fire hazards
If a fire spreads in part because an owner failed to address fire hazards, the business could be liable. If the facilities don’t have proper signage and emergency systems in place for a fire, then there could be liability if people get hurt in a conflagration.
Improper security measures
Premises liability can even be an issue when an outside party is to blame for an incident. Maybe there was a robbery or an assault in the parking lot of the store. If the business did not have proper lighting and security cameras in place, others may agree that the security measures utilize by the business were negligent. Premises liability claims can occur if there is reason to believe that better security practices on the part of a property owner or business may have prevented a criminal incident.
Understanding that a slip-and-fall is far from the only source of premises liability could benefit those concerned about injuries recently suffered on another’s property. A premises liability lawsuit can potentially lead to an insurance payout or court-ordered damages for an injured visitor.