Premises liability cases arise when individuals suffer injuries due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property. These cases can encompass various scenarios, from slip and fall accidents to dog bites and beyond.
Read on to explore some common types of premises liability cases and learn how victims can seek compensation for their injuries. If you’ve been injured by another’s negligence, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common types of premises liability cases. They occur when individuals slip, trip, or fall due to hazardous conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, or obstructions in walkways. For example, a slip and fall accident may occur when a grocery store fails to promptly clean up a spilled liquid, leaving the floor slippery and hazardous. Another example could be a slip and fall accident in a poorly maintained parking lot with uneven pavement or potholes.
Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions on their premises and to warn visitors of any known dangers. If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable for the victim’s damages.
Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, both physical and emotional. In Massachusetts, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression. This means that victims may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from a dog bite. It’s important to note that liability may extend beyond the dog’s owner to other parties responsible for the dog’s care or control.
When it comes to dog bites, children are the number one victim, and dog bite injuries are most common in children between the ages of 10 and 14. Even so, dog bite injuries occur across all age groups and demographics. Insurers reported a nationwide increase in dog bite claims during the pandemic, and Massachusetts was no exception.
In 2020, approximately 430 claims were filed by MA dog owners whose dogs were involved in biting incidents. According to the Insurance Information Institute, U.S. property insurers paid out upwards of $854 million in dog bite-related liability claims in 2020, with the average claim increasing from $44,760 to $50,425.
Negligent Security
Property owners have a duty to provide adequate security measures to protect visitors from foreseeable harm, such as assaults, robberies, or other criminal acts. Negligent security claims may arise when property owners fail to implement reasonable security measures, such as proper lighting, surveillance cameras, security personnel, or secure entry points, leading to injuries or harm to visitors.
For example, a hotel that fails to install adequate lighting in its parking lot may be held liable for injuries sustained by a guest who is assaulted in a poorly lit area. Similarly, a property owner who neglects to repair broken locks or gates, allowing unauthorized individuals to enter the premises and commit crimes, may be held accountable for resulting injuries or damages. Victims of crimes occurring on poorly secured premises may suffer physical injuries, emotional trauma, or financial losses, and may be entitled to compensation for their damages.
Altman & Altman, LLP — Your Trusted Personal Injury Law Firm
If you’ve been injured due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim. At Altman & Altman, LLP, our experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of premises liability accidents recover the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.