What does premises liability mean?

Premises liability is an area of law that determines who is responsible for injuries on public or private property. Just as car accident laws regulate driver behaviors and responsibilities, premises liability laws outline a property owner’s responsibilities for preventing injuries to visitors and guests. If a property owner is found negligent, he can be held liable for the costs of a victim’s medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

Cause of Action in a Premises Liability Case

Accidents such as slip and falls or even assault can all give rise to premises liability claims. However, the law requires the victim to prove a number of factors in order to hold landowners responsible for injuries on their properties. For example, a victim may have a cause of action (right to file a lawsuit) against the owner if the victim:

Had a right to be on the property.

Customers generally have a right to be on a business’s property, while visitors and tenants are protected when on residential property (although some trespassers may be able to sue after a slip and fall).

Was hurt by a defect the landowner knew about.

Both homeowners and businesses have a duty to make their properties safe for invited guests (such as clearing away snow and ice from steps and sidewalks). The victim may have grounds to sue if the owner knew about a hazard on the property but failed to correct it and failed to warn visitors about the dangers.

How We Can Help You

When choosing a lawyer, you deserve a firm that has dedicated itself to understanding and fighting for the justice you need. Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum doesn’t spread itself thinly by “dabbling” in a lot of different areas. We put our primary focus in personal injury and family law in order to ensure expertise in both areas.

Personal Injury

Pedestrian Accidents Premises Liability Product Liability Medical Malpractice Nursing Home Abuse Dog Bite Injury Wrongful Death

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Bicycle Accidents Distracted Driving Drunk Driving Accidents

Family Law/Divorce

Contested and Uncontested Divorce Child Support Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Guardianship Prenuptial Agreements

Workers’ Compensation

Lost Wages Medical Needs Medical Bills Compensation For Scarring/Disfigurement Compensation For Permananet Impairment Vocational Services

Was injured because of the landowner’s negligence.

Negligence can exist in many forms—from an owner’s inability to recognize a hazard (such as failing to install lights in stairwells and alleys) to allowing a defect to exist that is in violation of the local building code.

Suffered significant losses as a result of the accident.

A victim may be owed compensation for the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and permanent disability related to the incident.

Related links:

Christopher L. Russo [email protected]

Helping Rhode Island personal injury victims for nearly three decades to get the compensation they deserve.