4 Common Outdoor Hazards in Homeowner Liability Cases

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When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, slip-and-fall cases are some of the most common. Outdoor areas, in particular, are susceptible to hazards and dangerous conditions that can result in injury-causing accidents. If an outdoor accident happens, a property owner may find themselves involved in a costly personal injury lawsuit. Fortunately, there are defenses available to business owners involved in these complicated cases as well as steps to take to prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

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Parking Lots

Parking lots are heavily traveled by pedestrians and should frequently be inspected for common hazards like potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces. When a safety issue is identified, it needs to be corrected immediately. If a repair cannot be made right away, pedestrians needs to be alerted to the hazard. This can be accomplished by putting up conspicuous signage that warns of a danger or by setting up barricades that prevents passage through an area altogether.

Even when proper steps are taken to fix outdoor dangers immediately or precautionary measures used to warn pedestrians of obvious hazards, slip and fall accidents can still occur. Business owners faced with a lawsuit can raise a number of defenses. Doing this successfully often requires the expertise of a premise liability attorney who can help establish that an accident was not a result of a business owner’s negligence.

Sidewalks and Walkways

Public sidewalks are not the responsibility of a business owner to maintain. But when customers exclusively use a sidewalk, walkway or path to go to and from a business, the business owner is responsible for keeping these areas safe for foot traffic. Sidewalks can become dangerous for pedestrians to travel if they collect excessive debris, are damaged, or begin to buckle causing uneven surfaces. Routine maintenance can keep outdoor walkways in good repair and prevents slip and fall accidents from occurring.

Poor Lighting

Poor or inadequate lighting can make it more difficult for pedestrians to navigate outdoor areas. When parking lots, stairwells, or exterior pathways do not have enough light, pedestrians may miss steps, curbs, or other obstacles that would otherwise be easily avoided. Ensure that outdoor areas are well lit and that existing lights are always in good working order.

Ice and Snow

Business owners are not always responsible for removing snow or ice from areas traveled by foot. Individual state laws will determine to what extent businesses are responsible for snow and ice removal and their liability should a pedestrian slip and fall in wintry conditions.

However, when a business fails to maintain property conditions and those conditions contribute to dangerous situations, then the business can be held liable. For example, clogged gutters that cause ice to excessively build up or uneven surfaces that allow snow to accumulate unnecessarily can result in a premise liability case if someone is injured as a result.

Outdoor areas are prone to accident-causing hazards. Business owners need to be especially proactive in order to identify and correct potential dangers. Routine maintenance and precautionary measures are key in preventing slip-and-falls and mitigating liability should accidents occur.

About Post Author

Jessica Snow

Jessica Snow is a young writer from sunny Florida who enjoys learning and writing about a myriad of topics. When shes not glued to her laptop you can find her running the trails with her Great Dane, Charlie.
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