What Survivors Should Know About Wrongful Death on Someone Else’s Property

RI Wrongful Death and Premises Liability Laws

When a loved one dies on someone else’s property, it is vital that survivors have the incident investigated as soon as possible. It falls to the family of the victim to prove that the property owner or occupier was negligent, and the two-year time limit to file a claim leaves very little time to collect evidence. Our premises liability attorneys can determine who could be liable for a fatal accident and gather the necessary evidence to support your case.

Property owners may be liable for a variety of hazardous conditions that lead to fatal injuries, including:

Unsafe structures.

Homeowners and commercial property owners have a duty to maintain structural parts of the premises, including steps, porches, railings, and floors. Injuries are often caused by an owner’s failure to make proper repairs or a violation of the building code that leads to structural collapse.

Environmental dangers.

Owners may be liable for exposing visitors and neighbors to harmful toxins, chemicals, or substances and can be held responsible when these conditions lead to fires or explosions.

Slip and falls.

Owners must correct conditions on the property that could potentially cause a slip or fall that leads to death, including liquid spills, ice or snow, open holes, or uneven surfaces.

Injuries to children.

Children are especially likely to be injured on someone else’s property, as they lack the judgment necessary to avoid danger. Unguarded swimming pools, unlocked gates, and accidents at day care are common causes of child fatalities.

Assault.

Owners could be held responsible for physical assaults or attacks that occur on their property, especially if proper lighting or adequate security could have prevented the incident.

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