Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
When people hear the term “premises liability,” they often immediately think of someone slipping on a wet floor in a grocery store. While those cases are very common, premises liability covers a much broader spectrum of accidents.
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to understand what qualifies as a “dangerous condition.” Here are the most common types of accidents we handle in our practice.
1. Slips and Trips
The most frequent cause of premises liability claims involves a person losing their footing. While they sound similar, slips and trips are often caused by very different types of negligence:
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Slip-and-Falls: These are typically caused by “transient” conditions—things that shouldn’t be there, like a spilled drink in a restaurant, a freshly mopped floor without a warning sign, or untreated ice and snow on a sidewalk.
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Trip-and-Falls: These usually occur due to structural hazards or obstacles, such as bunched-up floor mats, uneven sidewalk slabs, or debris left in a walkway.
2. Stairwell Accidents
Falls involving stairs are often much more severe than falls on flat ground. In many cases, the fall isn’t just “bad luck”—it’s the result of a property owner’s failure to maintain the area. We look for specific contributing factors such as:
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Poor Lighting: If you can’t see the edge of the step, you can’t navigate it safely.
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Defective Handrails: A railing that is loose, broken, or missing altogether.
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Improper Step Dimensions: Stairs that are uneven in height or depth, making it impossible to maintain a natural stride.
3. Falls from Heights (Balconies, Decks, and Rooftops)
Some of the most serious injuries occur when someone falls from one level to another. These accidents often involve balconies, decks, or rooftop patios. In these scenarios, liability almost always hinges on whether the protective barriers were up to code.
Common dangerous conditions include:
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Unstable Railings: A railing that gives way when someone leans on it.
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Railings That Are Too Short: If a railing doesn’t meet height requirements, it can’t effectively prevent a fall.
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Wide Spacing: If the gaps between the vertical bars (balusters) are too wide, a child could easily slip through or get stuck.
When is the Property Owner Liable?
It is important to remember that not every fall results in liability. To have a successful case, we must prove that the cause of the fall, or a significantly contributing factor, was a dangerous condition on the premises.
For example, if you fell because a railing was unstable or because the spacing was wide enough to allow a child to fall through, the owner or manager of that property may be legally responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why the Right Investigation Matters
At Zimmaro Law, we move quickly to preserve evidence and determine exactly what went wrong. Attorney David Zimmaro uses his 25+ years of experience to hold property owners accountable and ensure you are not blamed for an accident caused by their negligence.
Do you believe dangerous conditions caused your injury? If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else’s property, don’t wait for the evidence to disappear. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case.