Understanding Premises Liability

Under premises liability law, property owners have a responsibility to protect their visitors and patrons from harm. “Premises” refer to both private property, such as a person’s home, and commercial property, such as a retail store or hotel. While the owner of a property cannot prepare for every possible accident that could occur, the law requires that they take reasonable care to prevent injury to others.

Reasonable care refers to the owner’s duty to keep their property free of potential hazards and eminent dangers. This means that an owner could be held liable if someone was injured on their property because they failed to take reasonable action to prevent the accident from occurring.

Premises liability cases often include injuries caused by:

• Spills or leaks that are not cleaned up
• Failure to post caution signs after a floor is mopped
• Broken steps and handrails
• A bite or attack from an unrestrained dog
• Broken or uneven cement or pavement
• Exposed tree roots in a walkway
• Insufficient lighting in a parking garage or walkway
• Objects left in walkways
• Negligent or insufficient security
• Negligent lifeguards at a pool
• Exposed electrical wiring
• Lack of fencing and barriers at a pool

If you were injured as a patron or visitor on another’s property, you may be able to seek compensation for your suffering and expenses by filing a premises liability claim. Your claim or lawsuit must be able to prove that:

• You were lawfully on the premises when injured.
• The property owner knew or should have known that a potentially dangerous condition existed on their property.
• The owner’s negligence in addressing the hazardous condition directly contributed to your injury.

If you were injured in the Las Vegas area, our team at De Castroverde Law Group can help you explore your legal options. Visit our Premises Liability page to learn more about filing a claim or lawsuit against a negligent property owner.