Who is Liable for a Slip and Fall on Rental Property?

When people think of slip and fall accidents they generally picture someone sliding across a wet floor in a supermarket. That often happens, but there are many other kinds of slip, trip and fall accidents that occur everywhere from workplaces to amusement parks. They can also occur at a friend’s home.

A slip and fall accident is a personal injury accident that happens on someone else’s property. A valid personal injury claim must first establish that the accident occurred because of someone’s negligence, and then identify who was to blame, or liable. With a slip and fall accident, who is liable depends on where the accident takes place. Liability for an accident that occurs on rental property may belong to the tenant, the property owner or both.

Negligence Leads to Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident on Rental Property

As with all personal injury claims, there is only liability if someone is negligent and that negligence leads to an injury. This fundamental element in slip and fall cases hinges on whether a property owner and/or tenant of a rental property acted responsibly in providing a safe environment for workers and visitors to the property. If someone slips and falls because he or she was careless by not looking or avoiding an unsafe condition, the property owner and/or tenant may not be liable for injuries incurred in the fall. The facts surrounding a slip and fall accident on rental property will determine liability.

For example, let’s assume John falls and is injured at the home of his friend, Peter, who is renting a house. If John falls in a hole Peter dug because Peter neglected to block the hole off, Peter may be liable for the injuries John incurs in the fall. If John falls walking up to Peter’s house because there’s an unsafe step the owner neglected to fix, the owner of the property may be liable. If John falls at night because Peter neglected to replace a bulb outside so John can’t see an unsafe step that the owner neglected to fix, both parties may be liable.

The same standards of liability apply to commercial rental property. Depending on the facts of the case, the property owner and/or the business tenant may be liable for slip and fall injuries incurred on their premises. It is often difficult to determine, and then prove, who is to blame for an unsafe condition on someone else’s property.

Identifying all liable parties in a slip and fall case is important to ensuring an accident victim receives maximum compensation for his or her medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. That is why a slip and fall accident victim should consult a personal injury attorney who is skilled in slip and fall accident cases.

Contact an Experienced Long Beach Slip and Fall Attorney to Assist with Your Claim

“Your Injuries are Personal to Me”

My law practice exclusively represents personal injury victims and does so with a deep understanding of their suffering and an absolute commitment to their recovery. I take your injuries personally, and that is why I directly handle all aspects of every case to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.

Call the Law Office of Michael D. Waks at 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. You are under no obligation and you will never pay any money unless you recover damages for your injuries. I offer bilingual services as part of my comprehensive approach to legal representation and I am available 24/7 to talk to you about your case.

Image credit: Viola Ng