As we go about our day-to-day routine, entering and exiting shops and businesses, we never think that the premises we are about to enter as being unsafe. We take it as a given that the person responsible for the upkeep of the building would have ensured that they are maintaining a safe environment. But what happens when they shirk their duty and someone gets injured as a result?
Premises liability refers to the concept of holding someone legally liable if some form of unsafe or defective condition on that person’s property has caused an injury. The most common example of cases arising out of premises liability that Louisiana residents may be aware of is caused by slipping and falling. However, it is not only the injury that is important for determining the extent of premises liability. The classification of the person who was injured is also important.
When someone is invited onto another’s property, such as customers in a store, they are considered invitees. This implies that the person doing the inviting has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the premises are safe. A social guest is generally a licensee, someone who enters the property for his or her own purpose but is welcome onto the property. They also require that reasonable steps have been taken to ensure their safety on the premises.
When these steps have not been taken or the person entering the property has not been warned about unsafe property conditions and an injury takes place, it may be possible to hold the person responsible. In order to exercise this right and get the compensation one deserves, it may be beneficial to consult an experienced attorney. They may help clarify the classification of the injured party and the duty they were owed.
