While slipping on the sidewalk may only leave a bruised ego for some, it can cause life-altering repercussions for others. Those affected by slip and falls or trip and falls may not be able to work for weeks, months, years or ever again depending on the severity of injury, and can have lasting health issues due to the incident. It often leaves people wondering if anyone can be held responsible.
These types of accidents are considered premise liability claims, which center on why the injured person was on the property and who is responsible for maintenance and warnings. Other types of premise liability claims include building or structure collapse, falling merchandise, swimming pool accidents, inadequate maintenance and inadequate security to name a few. Trip and fall and slip and fall cases are the ones our firm most often sees.
Different states have different laws concerning premise liability case requirements, but in Alabama, determining a valid claim …show more content…
Owners owe the highest duty of care to business invitees. They are required to exercise due care to keep the property in a safe condition and to warn invitees of any danger the owner knows or should have known about. The next highest duty of care is owed to licensees. A licensee is someone who comes onto a property as a guest with either the knowledge or implied permission of the property owner. This typically takes the form of a person visiting a home, or when one visits a business for a non-business purpose. With licensees, the property owner must correct or warn about known dangers, whereas with invitees, the property owner must actively check for