How To Prevent A Premises Liability Lawsuit On Your Property

Premises liability lawsuits can arise if a property owner does not uphold their duty of care to licensees or invitees who have a right to be on their premises. If a person sustains an injury caused by this failure of duty, then they may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit in civil court against the alleged negligent property owner. Here, we want to discuss how you, as a property owner, can prevent a premises liability lawsuit from occurring in the first place.

1. Implement Comprehensive Surveillance – Installing and consistently monitoring security cameras is a fundamental practice for maintaining safety and having concrete evidence of activities on your premises. This proactive approach helps identify potential hazards and provides valuable proof in case someone claims an injury resulting from an on-site accident.
2. Display Clear Warning Signs – To protect property owners from premises liability claims, it’s crucial to prominently place warning signs at entry points that alert visitors to potential risks. These signs shift some liability onto the visitors who willingly choose to enter the property, fully aware of the associated risks.
3. Promptly Address Maintenance Issues – Immediate attention to hazards and damages within your property is essential for preventing accidents. Property owners are expected to act swiftly when they become aware of any unsafe conditions to minimize their involvement in premises liability cases.
4. Frequent Maintenance Checks – Regular maintenance and thorough inspections are important for maintaining a safe environment for guests. These practices enable property owners to identify and rectify hazardous conditions around their premises.
5. Ensure Adequate Lighting – Lighting is essential for accident prevention in areas where pedestrians frequent. Insufficient lighting can lead to premises liability incidents, such as slips, trips, and falls. It can also create opportunities for criminal activities. Adequate lighting helps enhance security and safety.
6. Maintain Secure Entrances – Functional doors, fences, and gates are key components of property security. Ensuring that these entry points work correctly and can be locked helps prevent trespassing, break-ins, and potential assaults.
7. Rapid Response to Emergencies – Property owners are expected to react promptly to emergency calls and situations. Quick responses can mitigate issues, provide assistance, and prevent them from escalating, thus reducing the likelihood of liability.
8. Professional Security Team – Employing a trained security team on-site can significantly contribute to a safe environment. However, it’s essential that security personnel are well-trained in de-escalation techniques and accident response. Inadequately trained security staff may inadvertently increase liability for the property owner.

Consequences of Failing to Ensure Property Safety

If a property owner fail to adequately maintain their premises or fails to warn guests of known hazards could face significant consequences. If an injury does occur on the property, the injury victim may file a civil personal injury lawsuit. In these situations, the injury victim will have to show that the property owner failed to uphold their duty of care owed to the guest and that this failure of duty led to the injury in question. Injury victims, if their claim is successful, typically be able to recover compensation for their emergency medical expenses, any ongoing medical needs, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligent actions of a property owner or manager, we encourage you to contact an experienced Laredo premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can offer a free consultation and help you determine your next steps for recovering compensation.