Property owners are required to keep their premises in a safe condition for legal tenants and visitors. The failure to do so may make property owners liable for any injuries that result from this negligence. Business owners, in particular, must ensure customers and invitees are safe while on the property. Learn three ways they can do so below.
How Business Owners Can Protect Customers on Their Property
There are several measures that business owners can take to protect their customers and employees, including the following:
#1. Implement Adequate Security Measures
Business owners must implement adequate security measures to keep customers safe while on the property. This may involve the following:
- Install and maintain security cameras.
- Hire round-the-clock security personnel.
- Set up metal detectors at business entrances.
- Provide easy access to phones in the event of an emergency.
- Give employees a silent alarm to trigger when necessary.
Taking these precautions can help prevent injuries caused by assaults, robberies, and more. Failing to take any of these measures may result in catastrophic injuries or even wrongful deaths, which the business owner may be found liable for (if it can be demonstrated such events could have been prevented with proper security).
#2. Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere on a commercial property where water condensates or collects. Business owners should have their staff patrol the walkways of the property to identify and demarcate any puddles of water on the floor. Such puddles should then be mopped up or otherwise mitigated before a slip and fall accident (and potentially serious injury) results.
Injuries that may occur as a result of slip and fall accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
#3. Mitigate Hazardous Objects
Puddles of water on the floor are not the only hazard that may be present on a commercial property. It is business owners’ responsibility to identify any other hazards that may pose a threat to customers and address them in a timely manner. Examples of these hazards include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Exposed electrical wiring
- Spilled toxic chemicals
- Lack of fire exits or escape doors
- Carbon monoxide leaks
- Asbestos
Sometimes, it may not be possible for a business owner to remove hazardous objects or materials on their own. In this case, it’s important for business owners to contact professional hazardous material waste disposal companies to get the dangerous substances off their property as quickly and safely as possible. In the meantime, business owners should close their doors until the hazard has been addressed in order to protect the public.
Filing a Premises Liability Claim
If you or someone you love has been injured on another’s unsafe property, you may be eligible for compensation through a premises liability claim. It’s important to note that, as with most legal actions, there is a time limit for you to file a premises liability claim. This is known as the “statute of limitations.” In most cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date the injury occurred.
With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you may be able to recover the following damages through a premises liability claim:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It’s important to contact a qualified law firm after an accident on someone else’s property so you can fully understand your legal options, including the process for filing a claim and the compensation you may recover.
What Do You Need to Prove in a Premises Liability Claim?
Once your premises liability claim is filed, your attorneys will need to demonstrate several key elements in order to win your case. These include the following:
- The business owner (the defendant) owned, occupied, or leased the property.
- The business owner was negligent in the use or maintenance of the property.
- You were injured.
- The business owner’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing your injury.
It’s difficult (if not impossible) for claimants to win their case without experienced legal representation. By working with a qualified attorney, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while your team handles the legal matters.
Injured on Someone Else’s Dangerous Property? We’re Here to Help
If you got injured on someone else’s dangerous property, our Mississippi personal injury attorneys are here to help. At Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers, P.A., we have a strong track record of success in personal injury claims, and we have helped countless clients across the state recover the compensation they deserve.
