In slip and fall cases on commercial property, there are often a number of people or entities that may be held responsible for someone's injuries. For instance, if a business rents space from a property owner, both the property owner and the tenant (the business) may be named as defendants by someone injured on the property. In that case, the tenant is known as a possessor of the property, and has a duty to use reasonable care to prevent injury to those on the premises under its control. A possessor might also be a party who manages or maintains the property, such as a management company.

Residential Property

In residential settings as well, landlords may be held liable to tenants or third parties for slip and fall injuries on rental property. To hold a landlord responsible for an injury, a tenant must show that:

• The landlord had control over the condition that caused the slip and fall;
• Repairing the condition would not have been unreasonably expensive or difficult;
• A serious injury was the foreseeable consequence of not fixing the condition; and,
• The landlord's failure to take reasonable steps to avoid an accident caused the tenant's slip and fall injury.

Government Property

When a slip and fall injury occurs on property owned by a local, state, or federal government entity, special rules will apply. Specifically, there are very stringent notice requirements and broad immunity provisions that sometimes shield government entities from liability for injuries that occur on their property. Go here to learn more about injury claims against the government.

Getting Help for Slip and Fall Injuries

If you have been injured in a slip and fall on someone else's property and are considering a legal claim against those who were at fault, you should discuss your potential case with an experienced attorney soon, especially in light of time limits in which injured persons may file a personal injury lawsuit. Go here to find a personal injury attorney near you.

See also:

• Conditions Leading to Indoor Slip and Fall Accidents
• Conditions Leading to Outdoor Slip and Fall Accidents
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Proving Fault
• Slip and Fall - FAQ
• Slip and Fall - Resources