Premises liability laws hold business owners and property owners responsible for the well being of anyone who enters their establishments or homes. By law, these persons are expected to keep their properties safe at all times, but especially when they are going to invite a guest inside. Failure to protect visitors can result in a premises liability lawsuit, in which the defendant may have to pay for the plaintiff’s medical bills, lost wages, therapies, and in some cases, pain and suffering as well.
When Is a Property Owner Responsible?
A property owner is responsible for an injury if he or she shows neglect by not keeping the property safe. Any unsafe conditions need to be resolved immediately, or at the very least, the property owner should notify visitors of a potential danger. An example of a premises liability situation would be a friend who invites another friend to his or her Savannah GA residence for fellowship. That friend is legally responsible for the other’s safety, so she would be responsible if the friend slipped and fell on a toy that was left on the living room floor. The court would most likely expect a property owner to clean the toys off the floor before having company.
Landlords’ Responsibility
Landlords should be concerned about these issues, and they should stay on their toes in regards to ensuring that their property does not have dangers in them, such as exposed electrical writing, unsettled carpeting or other problems. A tenant may be able to visit a premises liability lawyer Savannah GA and charge said landlord with neglect. A judge or jury will review all of the facts and determine whether that landlord has to pay compensation.
What if Someone Was Being Reckless?
If the person who got hurt was being reckless, the case may have a completely different outcome. A complex issue like that needs an experienced premises liability lawyer Savannah GA to look at it. Georgia laws do allow for faulty parties to still collect compensation for personal injury. Therefore, if the reckless behavior leaves the person less than 50 percent at fault, that person may still be awarded a settlement that is simply reduced by her fault percentage.
Recent Case
A premises liability case can be complex, which is why only a seasoned premises liability lawyer Savannah GA should handle it. Some things that seem obvious don’t always turn out the way one would expect. An example of this is Lucas v. Sysco Columbia, LLC.
A customer suffered an injury within the establishment. The customer felt that the business was liable for the injury because the floor was wet. However, it was a rainy day. This added complexity to the case. The customer entered the business knowing that the floor was going to be wet. It was raining, after all. Therefore, the defendant claimed that they were not responsible because the customer entered the building already being aware of the issue. The plaintiff lost the first round.
Advantages of Having a Lawyer by Your Side
Along with gathering evidence, fighting a legal battle, and listening to their client like a friend, a lawyer can appeal decisions and keep fighting for compensation. If you have been a victim of a premises liability issue, talk to one of Savannah’s top premises liability lawyers today. You deserve justice.
