When someone receives an injury or illness on someone else’s property, there is a good chance the property owner could have prevented the incident. These incidents are forms of premises liability, and property owners can find themselves liable for thousands of dollars in damages in these cases. While premises liability can be costly, property owners can defend themselves by acting to prevent incidents from ever happening.
The legal definition of what constitutes as premises liability is changing every day. Recently, an attorney has begun the effort of pursuing a case that claims “negligent hiring” counts as premises liability. It is more important than ever to ensure you are protecting your business or property.
Smart precautions to take
Having premises liability insurance is a smart decision that homeowners and business owners can both make, but this does not prevent liability incidents from occurring. These are but a few steps anyone can take for their property:
- Keeping walkways clear: slip-and-falls are some of the most common forms of accidents, despite how easy they are to avoid. Putting salt on icy sidewalks, bolstering handrails, and even securing stray carpeting is an excellent way to prevent anyone from slipping.
- Proper warning signs: pools are a great way to keep cool in the summer, but many people manage to injure themselves in them. Signs stating “no diving” or “no lifeguard on duty” can keep you from being liable for injuries.
- Regular building inspections: silent dangers like mold can spend weeks, months, or even years growing on your property without notice. The illnesses it spreads can fall under premises liability, and so can the following hospital bill. Scheduling regular inspections can keep mold or other structural dangers at bay.
Keeping a watchful eye out for potential threats to guests can make the difference between another day and the beginning of a long and expensive legal process.
Remaining vigilant
The worst thing a property owner can do is assume their property is safe enough. There is always one more thing that can someone can do to keep guests safe, take a look, and see what you can do for your home.