What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is the area of law dealing with injuries caused by dangerous or unsafe conditions on property. Depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances, property owners, occupiers, businesses, landlords, or other parties controlling a property may owe visitors a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions or warn them about certain hazards. Common premises liability claims involve slips and falls, unsafe stairs, poor lighting, falling objects, swimming pools, inadequate maintenance, dog attacks, or negligent security. An injury on someone else’s property does not automatically make the owner liable. The injured person generally must prove the elements required under local law, which can include showing that a dangerous condition existed and that the responsible party knew or should have known about it. The visitor’s reason for being on the property can also affect the duty owed. Photographs, surveillance footage, incident reports, witness statements, and maintenance records can be important evidence.