A fundamental principle of United States law is that each of us has an obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to others. This is why property owners are legally responsible for accidents that occur on their premises.
Property owners are in the best position to eliminate risks on their premises, whether the danger is an unsafe sidewalk, a pool with an unlocked gate or broken security system, an unleashed dog, or any of several other hazards. When property owners fail to remedy dangerous conditions—or when they create dangerous conditions—the law holds them responsible for injuries that result.
The most common property accident claims include:
- INADEQUATE SECURITY. Property owners who do not provide security in dangerous neighborhoods are responsible for reasonably foreseeable assaults and other crimes that occur on their premises.
- SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS. Slip and fall accidents can arise from wet floors, icy sidewalks, damaged floors and stairways, cracked sidewalks, holes, poorly lit areas, and, in general, any part of the premises that presents a reasonable risk to an unsuspecting visitor.
- POOL ACCIDENTS. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4, except for birth defects. Nearly half of all drownings in the United States occur in residential pools. Property owners are legally responsible for keeping pools safe and supervised.
- CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS. Construction sites are dangerous places, presenting numerous opportunities for accidental harm—falls, shocks, unsafe or defective machinery, exposure to harmful chemicals, and injuries caused by moving construction equipment, to name just a few.
- DOG BITES. Owners are often responsible, even without considering fault, when their dog bites or causes harm to another person.
- PROPERTY OWNER NEGLIGENCE. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises in reasonably safe condition, regardless of whether the injured person is a business guest, a neighbor, or even a trespasser.
People injured as a result of unsafe or defective premises are entitled to compensation covering past and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, emotional damages resulting from the injuries, and, in some cases, punitive damages.
The legal standards applicable to property accident claims are complicated, and there are statutes of limitations that restrict late claims. If you or a family member has been injured in a commercial establishment, public property, or at a neighbor’s house or apartment, contact Ventura Law for a complete explanation of your legal rights. By contacting us as soon as possible after the accident, we can begin the investigation and pursue a successful claim. Victims of property accidents who do not have a strong voice speaking for them can easily be misled in settlement terms or receive no compensation at all.
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CONTACT US TODAYVentura Law will ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable as we work for complete and fair compensation. We will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve so you can move forward with your life. Ventura Law handles all cases on a contingency basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we obtain compensation for you.
