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Who is at fault for a dangerous condition that causes a slip and fall?

On Behalf of | Oct 22, 2021 | Firm News |

If you have experienced a serious injury from a preventable slip and fall, it may be necessary to seek compensation from the owner of the property where the accident took place. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that someone other than a property owner may be liable.

For the most part, landowners are responsible only for dangerous conditions that they are aware of or reasonably should have known about. However, there are some instances in which the owner of a property may have delegated the responsibility of keeping a property safe to another party. Other parties’ involvement in maintaining premises may subject them to liability.

Renters

People who rent commercial properties for their businesses are responsible for preventing and remedying dangerous conditions. Additionally, even residential tenants must keep their apartments safe for guests or in-home service providers. Of course, a renter may not necessarily be liable if injuries arise out of a dangerous condition that falls under the scope of a landowner’s obligation to perform structural maintenance to keep flooring or stairways safe.

Third-party companies

A cleaning company or a contractor who comes onto a property and creates an unsafe condition could face liability for a slip and fall. For example, causing an area to be wet or leaving tools on the ground may amount to negligence.

Personal injury plaintiffs may not have to choose only one defendant to pursue a remedy. It may be possible to initiate claims jointly and severally against multiple parties who played a role in a slip and fall.