Premises Liability Laws in Pennsylvania
In the state of Pennsylvania, all property owners have a legal obligation to keep their grounds in good condition. This is to ensure that people who come onto their property cannot be harmed by any hazards that arise. In the event that this obligation is not fulfilled, accidents can happen that lead to severe injuries. Often times, this results in significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. It is because of this that victims sometimes wish to seek justice for their suffering by pursuing legal action. This is possible through premises liability law. When dealing with these situations, it is important to retain the services of an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney.
What is Premises Liability?
If a property owner does not take care of their grounds, certain dangers can become present that pose a threat to those who come onto the property. In the event that a person sustains an injury as a result of this, the injured party can hold the property owner liable for negligence through premises liability law. This requires the injured party to prove that the property owner breached their duty of care, thus causing the injury.
When dealing with these situations, it is important to be aware that property owners owe a duty of care to those who come onto their premises. A duty of care can be fulfilled simply by caring for the property. This is required for all invitees or licensees. A licensee is a person invited onto the property for business or commercial reasons. An invitee is a person on the property for non-business or non-commercial reasons, including social events. A property owner may even owe a duty of care to trespassers. If a property owner fails to warn a trespasser of any hazards that are present, they may be held responsible for any injuries the trespasser sustains.
Case Examples
There are many ways a person can become injured as a result of negligence. The following situations are covered under premises liability law in Pennsylvania:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous conditions
- Defective security
- Inadequate maintenance
- Poor weather conditions
- Inadequate lighting
Proving Negligence
When pursuing legal action, it is important to know that the injured party is required to prove negligence. This can be done by showing that the property owner knew, or should have reasonably known about the hazard on their grounds that caused the injury and did not fix it. Evidence that can be helpful in court can include medical documentation of the injuries, photos or videos of the hazard, witness testimonies, and more.
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case and to make sure that you are not taken advantage of. Contact attorney Rand Spear to get the right attorney in your corner.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
