Premises Liability
When we go to a grocery store or mall, we like to feel safe. We expect that the inviter has taken certain steps in consideration of our safety. Virginia law outlines the different responsibilities landowners have toward people that enter their property. Generally, if people are invited onto the property for business purposes, land owners owe a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe and warn the invited person of any hidden dangers on the property. Property owners sometimes become careless in supervising and managing their property, creating an opportunity for someone to slip and fall.
For this reason, you can find a lot of signs on some properties warning people of potential dangers, such as a wet floor or active construction, but that is not always the case.
If you slip and fall on the property of another, as a patron or guest, you may have a claim, based on the conditions and circumstances present at the time. Premises liability can be very complex, and you will want an attorney that will be able to determine what laws are applicable and how the facts of your case hold up for your claim. A common defense to a premises liability claim is that any existing danger on the property was open and obvious. Attorney Findlater will use his knowledge and experience to determine if this is a valid defense to your case.
Overall, a slip and fall can result in minor or major injury. In both circumstances, if the owner of the property was negligent and their negligence caused your accident, you should be compensated for your injuries.
Premises liability can also include animal attacks (i.e. dog bites), assaults by third parties, faulty machinery or other less common scenarios.
If you have experienced a slip and fall or injury while on the premises of another, contact the Law Office of Christopher G. Findlater. The initial phone consultation and meeting is free of charge.
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