Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is an area of personal injury law that involves injuries resulting from unsafe conditions on a property. You could have grounds for such a claim if the property owner’s negligence contributed to your injury. 

Proving negligence in these cases centers around a breach in the defendant’s duty of care. Pennsylvania property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for welcome guests. Breaching this duty may directly put others at risk and cause them to suffer harm and damages. 

A breach of duty doesn’t always mean that the at-fault party acts maliciously and purposely makes their property unsafe. In many cases, owners simply fail to take action. Their careless behavior could be seen as negligence and potentially make them liable for someone’s injuries. 

Examples of Premises Liability Cases

What is premises liability, and how can you tell if you have a claim?

These cases typically only apply to welcome guests, known as invitees or licensees. The former have a direct or implied invitation to someone’s property, such as shoppers at a supermarket or a loved one attending a party at someone’s house. Licensees include individuals making door-to-door sales, volunteers canvassing, and contractors hired by the owner for specific services. 

If you injure yourself while trespassing on someone’s property, you may not be able to file a premises liability claim. Your relationship to the property owner matters. 

What types of situations qualify as premises liability cases? Here are a few to consider:

  • Slip-and-fall accidents: Icy, hazardous conditions on a sidewalk could cause an invitee to fall. It’s up to the property owner to either clear the ice or take steps to minimize harm. 
  • Poor property maintenance: Imagine a tenant informs their landlord of a broken staircase, but the landlord ignores them. Should the tenant or one of their guests hurt themselves using the staircase, the landlord’s inaction could make them liable. 

If you believe you’ve suffered an injury due to premises liability you may be able to take action against a negligent party. Consult Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers to review the details of your case and figure out the next course of action. To schedule a consultation, give our firm a call at (484) 351-0350.