Basics of Premises Liability Cases

Apr 10, 2025

Premises liability is a type of personal injury law involving an injury sustained from a condition that is unsafe or defective on private property. Common types of premises liability involve slips and falls, swimming pool injuries, elevator and escalator accidents, and animal attacks. Cases may also stem from water leaks and resulting flooding, as well as the release of toxic chemicals and fumes. All of these situations involve a person who entered a property and unexpectedly experienced physical harm.

At the foundation of premises liability law is “reasonable care,” or a minimum care threshold that all property owners must follow. Property owners may hold that they were unaware of unsafe conditions, but this often is not an adequate defense, given their responsibilities for property upkeep…