When you are on someone else’s property with their permission, you assume they take your safety seriously. But when they don’t, and you get injured, you have the right to demand compensation for the harm they caused you.
The Gwinnett County premises liability lawyer at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help you pursue compensation from an accident on someone else’s premises.
Founding attorney David Brauns is a former insurance company defense attorney who now uses that experience to help injured Georgians get the money they need from the people who hurt them. We are proud of our track record and have recovered millions in compensation for our clients.
While you recover from your injuries, we will build your case and pursue your claim. And because we don’t charge any fees unless we win, there’s no upfront cost to engaging our services.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Gwinnett County premises liability attorney.
Proving Negligence For Your Claim
If you’ve experienced an injury due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property in Gwinnett County, it’s important to understand the factors that can determine whether you have a valid premises liability claim:
- Duty of Care: Property owners must ensure the safety of visitors on their premises, with varying obligations depending on the visitor’s status.
- Breach of Duty: A breach occurs when the property owner fails to fulfill their duty of care, such as not addressing hazards or providing warnings.
- Causation: The breach of duty must be directly linked to the injury suffered by the plaintiff.
- Damages: The plaintiff must demonstrate actual harm or losses, both economic and non-economic, resulting from the injury.
Damages You Might Be Able to Recover
When determining the value of your premises liability case in Gwinnett County, several types of damages may be taken into account:
- Economic Damages: These include measurable losses such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage. They reflect the direct financial burden of your injury caused by a dangerous condition and are typically supported by documentation like receipts and employment records.
- Non-Economic Damages: These cover intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. While more challenging to quantify, they represent the broader impact of your injury on your overall well-being.
- Punitive Damages: These are awarded when the property owner’s actions were reckless or malicious. They serve to penalize the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future rather than to compensate for specific losses.
Getting in Touch With Us
If you need legal help after a premises liability incident in Gwinnett County, here’s how to reach us:
- Phone: Call us at 404.975.2634 for immediate assistance.
- Online: Please fill out the contact form to discuss your slip and fall case with us.
Note that we provide a free consultation to evaluate your case and offer the guidance you need. Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC today to start pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Brauns Law Firm: Premises Liability Law Firm in Gwinnett County
Our personal injury attorney team is highly skilled and passionately committed to advocating for those affected by unsafe premises. We understand the complexities of these cases and work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcomes. Our proven track record of significant settlements and favorable verdicts reflects our dedication and expertise.
At the Brauns Law Firm, we provide compassionate and tailored legal support, ensuring that every client feels heard and valued. Our proven success in handling slip and fall cases makes us a trusted choice for those seeking a premises liability law firm in Gwinnett County.
Contact us today to learn how we can assist you with your premises liability claim and offer you a free consultation with a Gwinnett County lawyer in GA.
Meet Your Gwinnett County Premises Liability Attorney
As a leading Gwinnett County personal injury lawyer, our founding partner, David Brauns, is dedicated to fighting for his clients. With extensive experience in personal injury law, particularly in premises liability cases, David creates customized legal strategies that address your specific circumstances.
David’s dedication to his clients is reflected in the numerous accolades he has received and the positive feedback from those he has helped, demonstrating his skill in providing top-notch legal representation.
What Clients Think of Us
Read through our testimonials to see how our commitment, expertise, and caring approach have positively influenced the lives of our clients. Find out why so many people have chosen us to handle their legal matters.
Amazing! Helpful!
“Brauns Law was very easy to work with and helped me deal with the insurance and medical after being rear ended. They were able to make sure I was fairly compensated for my no-fault accident. Haley and Brittany were amazing! Thanks for the help!”
Communicative, Passionate!
“I had a great experience with Brauns Law. David, Elsa, and Chris were extremely detailed and thorough. Great communication and they kept me updated on every step of my case. You can tell they really have a passion for what they do and for their clients’ best interests. I would highly recommend Brauns Law!”
How Our Gwinnett County Premises Liability Attorney Can Help with Your Case
Proving a property owner is liable for your injuries is often a major challenge. Our Gwinnett County premises liability lawyers can help with your case by:
- Investigating the incident to determine how it happened and whether the property owner is liable for your injuries
- Gathering evidence to prove your physical injuries, financial losses, and other harm you suffered because of the incident
- Filing an insurance claim against the property owner or other liable parties
- Taking care of settlement negotiations while you focus on recovering from your injuries
- Preparing your case for trial and representing you in court if the insurance company will not negotiate a fair offer
You could attempt to do all this work yourself. But that is a lot to take on if you are already injured. Instead, let a Gwinnett County premises liability attorney handle your case while you rest and recuperate.
Important Initial Advice!
Taking the right steps immediately can significantly impact your case if you’ve been injured in an accident on someone’s property. Here’s our expert advice to follow:
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health by getting a thorough medical evaluation as soon as possible. Even if injuries seem minor, some issues might not be immediately apparent. Documenting your injuries is vital for your claim.
- Contact a Gwinnett County Accident Lawyer: Reach out to a knowledgeable premises liability lawyer in Gwinnett County from our law firm to discuss your case. An attorney can guide you through the legal process, help gather evidence, and negotiate on your behalf.
- Avoid Social Media: Refrain from posting about the accident on social media. Insurance companies and opposing parties may use your posts to challenge your claim or undermine your credibility.
- Don’t Rush to Accept Insurance Offers: Insurance companies might offer a quick settlement to minimize their costs. It’s often best to consult with a legal professional before accepting any offers to ensure you’re receiving fair compensation.
- Be Cautious with Your Communication: When communicating with the insurance company, be careful with your language. Avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be used against you later.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of the accident scene, your injuries, medical treatments, and any related expenses. This documentation will support your claim and help establish the extent of your damages.
- Notify Property Owners: Report the accident to the property owner or manager. This creates an official record and can be important for your claim.
- Preserve Evidence: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, any hazardous conditions, and your injuries. This evidence can be essential in proving liability and the extent of your damages.
By following these steps, you can better protect your rights and improve your chances of success in your premises liability claim.
Deadlines
Understanding the statute of limitations is paramount when filing a premises liability claim in Georgia. You must file a lawsuit or seek legal action within this timeframe. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for premises liability claims is generally two years from the date of the accident.
Why Acting Quickly is Important:
- Preserve Evidence: The sooner you act, the better chance you have of preserving crucial evidence. Over time, evidence of the dangerous condition can be lost or deteriorate, which can weaken your case against the occupier.
- Witness Testimony: Witnesses may forget details or move away. Promptly gathering their statements can strengthen your claim and ensure accurate recollections of the incident.
- Avoiding Claim Denial: If you miss the deadline, you could lose your right to file a claim altogether. Insurance companies and property owners may use delays to argue that your case is invalid.
- Legal Strategy: An experienced premises liability lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that all necessary legal documents are filed on time.
To better understand how long you have to hold the negligent party liable, call us today for expert legal guidance.
Gathering Evidence
After a premises liability incident, gathering evidence will mean building a strong case. Here’s a breakdown of the types of evidence you should collect:
- Police Documentation: Police reports and incident reports provide an official account of the incident, detailing how the accident happened, involved parties, and any citations issued.
- Medical Records: Collect all medical records, including treatment records, prescriptions, and bills, to document your injuries and calculate damages.
- Eyewitness Statements: Gather names and contact details of witnesses to corroborate your version of events and provide additional details.
- Photo/Video Evidence: Take photos or videos of the accident scene, any visible hazards, and your injuries to document the conditions that led to the incident.
- Examples of Property Negligence include situations where the occupier fails to maintain the premises safe. Document any unsafe conditions, such as poor lighting or damaged flooring, and obtain maintenance records to highlight lapses in upkeep.
- Correspondence: Save copies of all communication with insurance companies and other involved parties, including letters, emails, and notes from phone calls.
Collecting this evidence is vital for proving negligence and supporting your claim. However, we understand that managing these tasks while dealing with the effects of an accident can be overwhelming.
At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we recognize your challenges after an injury. While you focus on your recovery, our team will handle the evidence collection and legal work. We ensure that every detail is meticulously gathered and analyzed to build a strong case on your behalf.
What Can I Expect to Pay?
We are committed to offering clear and fair pricing for our premises liability cases in Gwinnett County. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t have to worry about upfront costs. We only get paid if we successfully secure compensation for you.
You won’t owe us anything if we don’t win your case. This transparent fee arrangement ensures there are no hidden costs, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal details. We aim to provide you with peace of mind and work tirelessly to achieve the best result for your case.
Why Choose Us Over Other Gwinnett County Premises Liability Attorneys?
When it comes to handling premises liability cases in Gwinnett County, Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, stands out for several key reasons:
- Expertise and Experience: Our team brings extensive experience in premises liability law, handling a wide range of cases from slip-and-fall accidents to serious injuries caused by unsafe conditions. We leverage our deep legal knowledge to build strong cases and ensure that the occupier is held liable for damages to protect your rights.
- Client-Centered Approach: We prioritize your needs and well-being throughout the legal process. Our compassionate approach ensures that you receive personalized attention as an injured party, and we are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns regarding reasonable care.
- Proven Track Record: We have a history of achieving favorable client outcomes. Our record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts speaks to our commitment and ability to deliver results.
- No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. This transparent pricing structure ensures there are no hidden fees and allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
- Community Involvement: We are actively involved in the Gwinnett County community, supporting local charities and participating in community events. This involvement reflects our dedication to giving back and strengthening the areas we serve.
- Comprehensive Support: We provide full-spectrum support from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and handling legal proceedings. Our team manages every aspect of your case so you can concentrate on your recovery.
- Transparent Communication: We maintain clear and open communication with our clients. You will be kept informed about the progress of your case and any developments, ensuring you are always in the loop.
Choosing Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC means opting for a law firm that combines expertise, compassion, and a strong commitment to achieving the best outcomes for you.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your premises liability claim and ensure the occupier is held liable.
How to Choose a Gwinnett County Premises Liability Lawyer
There is no shortage of premises liability attorneys in Gwinnett County. However, not all personal injury lawyers are the same.
Here are some qualities to look for when you are deciding who to hire for a premises liability case:
- Free consultations
- A fee structure that is easy to understand
- Experience handling premises liability cases
- A proven track record of success in holding property owners liable for damages.
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Recognition from legal organizations or other attorneys
- A team with the resources to handle complicated cases
These are all qualities we possess at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC. If you want to know more about us and how our Gwinnett County premises liability lawyer can help you pursue compensation, we would be happy to meet you and discuss your case.
Call our office in Gwinnett County today or visit our contact page for a free consultation.
Gwinnett County Premises Liability Laws
Georgia law (Section 51-3-1 of the Georgia Code) defines a property owner’s obligations to visitors. The level of care a property owner owes a visitor depends on their status under the law.
The three classes of plaintiffs in Georgia premises liability cases are:
- Invitees — Invitees are people who have been invited onto someone’s property for a business purpose. For example, you are an invitee when you shop at a grocery store. Section 51-3-1 of the Georgia Code says property owners must exercise “ordinary care” to prevent injuries to invitees. Under the ordinary care standard, property owners must warn invitees of known hazards on the grounds and regularly check for and fix potential dangers.
- Licensees — Licensees are people who are on someone’s property with permission, but for their own purposes. An example of an invitee is someone visiting their friend’s home. Property owners must warn licensees about known hazards. However, they usually are not liable for injuries caused by hazards they did not know about.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on someone’s property without permission. Under state law, property owners are only liable for a trespasser’s injuries if they intentionally or wantonly caused the injuries.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability is an area of law that involves injuries sustained because of hazardous conditions on someone’s property.
Some of the most common premises liability accidents in Gwinnett County involve dangerous conditions that may cause injury.
- Slips, trips, and falls — Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in the U.S., accounting for 6.8 million emergency room visits in one recent year alone. Property owners must take precautions to keep visitors from falling on their premises. Common hazards that lead to slips, trips, and falls include broken sidewalks, uneven stairs, faulty handrails, slippery or cluttered floors, and steep slopes.
- Electric shocks — Visitors can suffer electric shocks if they encounter frayed or exposed wires, broken appliances, or other electrical hazards. These shocks can cause severe burns, nerve damage, and other significant injuries.
- Criminal assaults due to inadequate security — A property owner is responsible for ensuring everyone who visits the property is reasonably safe from attack. When they do not provide adequate security, visitors can get hurt. Common examples of inadequate security include poor lighting, a lack of security guards or surveillance cameras, and broken doors or windows.
- Accidents in parking lots and garages — It is easy to fall in a parking lot or garage if the owner does not try to maintain it. A lack of adequate security can also attract a dangerous criminal element.
- Escalator and elevator accidents — Escalators and elevators must be maintained to reduce the chances of a potentially catastrophic accident. If an elevator or escalator breaks or malfunctions while someone is using it, they could suffer severe injuries.
- Falling objects — If an improperly stored or stacked object comes loose as someone walks underneath it, they may suffer severe head trauma or other injuries.
Common Injuries from Gwinnett County Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability accidents in Gwinnett County frequently cause major injuries, including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Burns
- Emotional distress
Locations We Serve
We are committed to delivering exceptional legal support across Gwinnett County and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re in Gwinnett Couty or one of its neighboring communities, our skilled team is here to offer tailored advice and robust representation for your premises liability case.
- Atlanta
- Cumming
- Decatur
- Duluth
- Gwinnett County
- Lawrenceville
- Peachtree Corners
- Stone Mountain
- Suwanee
Premises Liability Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Under Georgia law, premises liability applies where the owner or occupier of a property invites others (either by direct expression or through implication) onto the property for any lawful purpose. Having done so, the owner or occupier of the property is liable to those invitees for any injuries caused by a failure to exercise ordinary care to keep the property safe. This means that anyone inviting a person onto the property they own or occupy—whether through ownership, lease, or rental—has a duty of ordinary care to such a person to keep the property and approaches safe.
No. In Georgia, there are three categories of entrants to a property: invitee, licensee, and trespasser. Only an invitee is entitled to the duty of ordinary care. In the case of a business, for example, invitees include all of those who come to the business to engage in a business transaction – like a shopper. The shopper need not actually purchase anything to be an invitee. It is only necessary that the person was there with the intent to engage in a transaction with the business.
The duty of care owed to a licensee is less than ordinary care. A licensee is someone who is lawfully on the property but is not there for the implied invitation. For instance, a person who accompanies someone else who has come to shop at a business, but does not intend to also engage in a business transaction, is a licensee.
A Georgia case that involved a mother who accompanied her daughter to a job interview raised this distinction. The court held that the mother, who was injured on the premises, and was a licensee, because while the daughter was there at the invitation of the business, the mother was not. As a licensee, the property owner or occupier would only be liable to that person if they knew or should have known of the environmental condition that resulted in the injury would pose a reasonable threat to people on the premises, but took no action to either enact reasonable care to render the condition safe or to warn of the condition and the risk entailed. This standard imposes a considerably lower duty than ordinary care.
The lowest duty of care is owed to a trespasser, which is anyone who enters property owned or occupied by someone else, either intentionally or in error, without permission from the owner or occupier. Under such circumstances, the owner or occupier of the property owes a trespasser no duty to keep the property safe. The owner’s only duty to a trespasser is to not intentionally or wantonly cause injury to the trespasser, such as through the use of traps or shooting the trespasser. Taking those steps could involve an entirely different area of law.
No. Any class of property owner—or the lessee of that property or another person in lawful possession of the property—can be liable for injuries occurring on the property, assuming the requirements of premises liability generally are met. Premises liability claims can be brought against homeowners, retailers, business owners, landlords, property managers—such as homeowners’ associations—or even government agencies that fail to keep their properties safe through their own negligence. If people invited onto the property, by implication or explicitly, are injured because of that negligence, then the entity that controls the property, owner or not, can be held liable for those injuries.
Premises liability is not limited to specific types of injuries. Property owners or lawful occupiers can be held liable for any kind of injuries that are caused by their failure to repair a condition or warn about an unsafe condition. This applies to any dangerous condition that arises or persists because of the owners’ negligence. Such hazardous conditions could be the result of poor maintenance, uncleaned spills that create dangerous walking conditions, building code violations, broken, or uneven sidewalks or steps that create a walking hazard, or any other unsafe condition resulting from negligence by the property owner or occupier.
If such conditions result in an injury of any kind, the entity responsible for maintaining the property can be held liable. Even a negligent failure to restrain or confine a dog that results in a dog bite injury can give rise to premises liability. It is not the type of injury, but whether the cause is negligence on the part of the owner or occupier of the property that gives rise to premises liability cases.
Perhaps the common injuries in premises liability cases result from falls, usually of the slip-and-fall variety caused by hazardous floor conditions. These conditions can include broken paving tiles, broken or uneven sidewalks or pathways, uneven steps or stairs, and foreign substances on walking surfaces. In Georgia, as with most jurisdictions, these cases fall into two categories: foreign substance accidents and static defect accidents.
Foreign substance accidents. For foreign substance slip-and-fall cases, the accident is caused by something on the floor that is not usually there, such as spilled liquid, grease, or some other substance that makes it hazardous to walk on the floor in that area. The entity responsible for maintaining the property must have had actual or constructive notice that the substance was on the floor, yet still failed to correct the problem or at least put up visible warnings about the problem.
Because the property owner or occupier has a duty of reasonable inspection for such hazards, constructive knowledge can be inferred if the substance was there long enough to be discovered by a reasonable inspection or if the owner or occupier received actual complaints but had not acted on them.
Having a reasonable inspection procedure in place is a defense—if the substance was spilled or dropped on the floor very soon after an inspection and the accident occurred before the next inspection would have revealed the problem, the property owner has a defense. However, if the inspection process is deemed by a court to be not reasonable—the period of time between inspections was too long, or proper procedure was not closely followed or followed at all—the defense can be overcome. Basically, a property owner cannot leave hazardous materials on the floor where people will be walking and not exercise care to clean up those hazards in a reasonable time frame.
Static defects. The other major category of slip-and-fall accidents is the static defect case. A static defect case could involve a pothole, broken paving tiles, uneven steps or curbs, or similar hazards on a walking surface that are more permanent in nature. Again, the property owner or occupier can be liable if he has actual or constructive knowledge of the defect. A structural defect that just occurred might not give rise to liability, but broken paving tiles that have been broken for weeks likely would.
A property owner or occupier can be liable for an assault if he or she fails to provide security adequate enough to keep the property safe from foreseeable criminal activity. This duty of care mirrors that in most premises liability cases, when the landlord owes a duty of ordinary care to invitees to guard against unsafe conditions. That duty doesn’t mean the landlord has to go to extraordinary means to prevent injury from unsafe conditions—or from criminal activity—but cannot fail to do so out of negligence. The landlord must make reasonable efforts to prevent foreseeable criminal activity.
Such cases will present questions regarding whether or not the measures taken are reasonable or the criminal activity is foreseeable. Liability for negligently inadequate security could apply on any property, including amusement parks, hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, concert arenas, shopping centers, office buildings, sports venues, and even office buildings and subway stations.
Typical examples of negligent security include inadequate or non-functioning lighting, failing to respond to security warnings or alarms, failing to place surveillance cameras on the property, failing to increase security measures after repeated criminal activity, failing to warn visitors of foreseeable risks in regards to criminal activity, or, depending upon the kind of property involved, failing to provide security personnel on the premises.
That doesn’t mean that a property owner is liable for all criminal activity on the property. However, premises liability could apply if the landlord failed to take reasonable care to prevent foreseeable criminal activity.
Not necessarily. Under the Georgia Recreational Property Act, a landowner who opens up land to the public for recreational purposes owes no duty of care to maintain the premises in a safe condition, or even to warn of dangerous conditions for any structure, activity, or use on the premises by people who enter the property for recreational purposes.
This makes the landowner immune from suit by anyone injured on the property who entered the property to take part in recreational activities. The law includes parks, recreation centers, and athletic facilities. Under the law, this includes a non-exclusive list of activities, such as boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, water skiing, winter sports, picnicking, and visiting historical, archeological, scenic, or scientific sites.
While the immunity is quite broad, it does not apply if the landowner or occupier charges an admission fee for the use of the property or facility. Additionally, if the owner or occupier willfully or maliciously does not warn about or guard against a dangerous condition, such as choosing not to erect barriers or signs, immunity from suit does not apply for injuries caused by that dangerous condition. The Georgia Recreational Property Act is a deviation from premises liability law in most states, in that it grants broad immunity to some property owners. The law is intended to encourage landowners to permit free recreational use of their property by the public.
Despite some defenses and exemptions not necessarily available in other states, if you are injured through the negligence of a property owner to keep the property safe, you may have a premises liability claim.
Most premises liability cases require that the injured party prove that the fault of the property owner caused the injuries they sustained on their property. Property owners may be at fault when they provide inadequate security for visitors. To prove negligent security, an injured party must demonstrate:
- The negligence of the liable party caused the incident that resulted in the victim’s suffering. To show the element of negligence, injured parties may demonstrate that the property owner failed to take safety precautions to protect the injured party. The law requires property owners to take precautionary actions to protect visitors. Precautionary actions may include fixing broken locks or reporting suspicious activities to the police.
- The property owner knew of or should have been aware of the dangers or foreseeable risks of danger before the injury occurred. For example, similar crimes may have happened on the property before. If the owner knew of those prior incidents, then they are aware that those crimes may happen on the property again.
- In the same situation, a reasonably responsible individual would have acted differently to prevent the danger.
Proving these elements can create tremendous challenges, as the evidence is very fact-specific. In addition to showing that the crime was foreseeable, injured victims must also show they had a specific relationship with the property owner.
Of course, it is impossible to prevent all incidents of criminal activity on public property. However, when property owners fail to take appropriate security measures, criminal behavior may be harder to detect, and, as a result, incidents may be more prevalent. Areas with inadequate or improperly maintained security measures may enable criminal activity that causes guests severe injuries.
Under Georgia law, the duty to provide reasonable care in protecting individuals from violent crimes typically falls on the commercial and business property owners. Public business owners “invite” customers and guests on to their property. As such, the owners have a duty to keep patrons supporting their businesses safe.
Some commercial properties that may be subject to negligent security claims include:
- Motels
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Shopping Malls
- Nightclubs
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Public Transportation Areas
- Sporting Events
- Concert Venues
- Parking Garage
- Banks
Generally, negligent security claims involve allegations that injuries resulted from inadequate security measures taken on the property. In other words, the injuries would have been prevented had the owner provided sufficient safety precautions.
These measures can vary depending on the particular property, but some common examples of inadequate security measures include:
- Inadequate lighting: A venue may be held liable for crimes committed on its property if it did not provide proper lighting on the premises. Owners are responsible for providing adequate lighting in the interior of the building, as well as the exterior, including parking lots. Proper lighting can be vital in preventing criminal activity because it limits a criminal’s ability to hide in areas where victims cannot see them.
- Inadequate security measures: Security cameras, intercom systems, metal detectors, fences, gates, door locks, and call boxes are imperative in preventing crimes. A property owner has a duty to maintain and repair any defective or inoperable security measures. If a property owner is aware of faulty security measures and fails to repair them, they can be held liable for any resulting crimes.
- Security guards/patrol: When a venue, club, or bar owner knows the audience or clients can get rowdy, they must hire enough security to protect customers. Property owners may bear liability for crimes if security personnel were inattentive, unqualified, poorly trained, or slow to respond, and harm resulted.
- Suspicious activity: If the property owner has received reports of dangerous activity or threatening people on their property, they have a duty to take action. They must keep their customers safe by contacting the police in a timely matter and addressing the risk.
- Building codes: Property owners are responsible for adhering to specific occupancy codes, capacity limits, local ordinances, and fire codes. When crimes result from the property owner failing to do so, the property owner can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
- Dangerous employees: A property manager is responsible for performing adequate pre-employment screening checks. Employers should conduct criminal background checks and investigate employees’ previous employment history. If the property manager fails to screen prospective employees, they can be held liable for the crimes those employees commit on the property.
