Premises Liability: You go to other people's premises all the time. You visit their homes or businesses and sit in their yards or walk across their parking lots. You expect those properties to be safe and comfortable but sometimes you trip over a crack in the sidewalk or slip on a loose throw rug or a wet spot on the floor. Something might fall from a shelf, balcony or tree, or you could be attacked in a poorly lit walk way.

When things like this happen, the owner of the property may be legally responsible for your injuries. This is another complicated area because that responsibility depends on what the owner has or has not done and your status when something goes wrong.

For example, why were you on the property? Were you a customer or a guest of the owner? Or were you a trespasser, there without the owner's knowledge.

Had the condition that led to the accident existed for a while? Should the owner have known about it and done something,, at the least warning you of the problem? Or was that puddle of water you slipped on too new for the owner to have done anything about it?

Property owners are supposed to keep their property safe, and the law says they can be liable if there's an accident because it isn't. They also are suppposed to make sure public property adjoining their premises is not unsafe because of their holding. In a public siituation, such as a business that invites in customers, the owners should actively check for potential danger and either correct the situation or post signs warning people of a problem. They also may have to provide security.

If you've had an accident, The Kosner Firm will help you sort out who's responsible and for what. Contact us quickly, since there may be a time limitation on claims, and we will make sure your claim is timely and complete in situations involving slip and fall, inadequate maintenance, defective conditions, inadequate security and other cases of premises liability.