Premises liability concerns the financial and legal culpability that comes along with property ownership. Building owners have a responsibility to maintain their holdings in reasonably safe condition. Frequently, discussions of premises liability specifically prioritize slip-and-fall incidents. People can end up injured when workers at a business fail to keep floors clean and clear.
Premises liability can originate in a variety of different ways, and frequently it relates to improper maintenance of real property beyond just interior cleanliness. Those who own businesses and apartment buildings may fail to take necessary steps to keep the facilities safe. When major incidents occur due to delayed or ignored property maintenance, the people affected may have grounds to initiate a premises liability lawsuit.
Maintenance is crucial for building safety
Many buildings have decks that residents or patrons may use. Decks require careful planning to ensure they are structurally sound initially and regular maintenance to ensure that they continue to be safe for people to use. When property owners don’t maintain decks, they can collapse with little warning, leading to severe injury or even death. They can cause harm by making people fall or by striking them with falling debris. Especially when a deck is attached to a story other than the ground floor, the potential for catastrophic injury is quite high.
Other deferred maintenance can also lead to structural issues at a building. For example, the failure to repair or replace a roof or address leaking pipes might lead to a ceiling collapse. Drywall or plaster can fall on occupants and visitors, causing major injuries and property damage losses. In most cases, regular inspections and repairs can prevent deck and ceiling collapses that can cause significant injuries. Someone injured in a deck collapse could have broken bones. A ceiling collapse could cause brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. The people affected by these incidents may have grounds to pursue a premises liability lawsuit.
Successful litigation can compensate people for medical expenses, lost wages and property damage generated when a deck or ceiling collapses. Holding a building owner accountable for negligent maintenance that causes a ceiling collapse or deck collapse can help diminish the harm they cause to others. Premises liability lawsuits can lead to insurance payouts or direct liability for the property owner in some cases.