Property owners and managers have a legal responsibility to protect their employees, tenants and visitors from accidents and injury.
Common accidents on commercial properties include slip and falls, inadequate security and hazardous conditions.
1. Slip and fall accidents
The second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death is falls, according to the National Safety Council. Landlords and property managers have a legal duty to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition for tenants and visitors. This includes regularly inspecting and maintaining the property to rectify hazards such as wet floors or uneven pavement. An injured tenant or visitor from a slip and fall accident on the property when the property manager was aware of the hazard or should have been aware of it may liable for the injuries suffered.
2. Inadequate security
Landlords and property managers also have a responsibility to provide reasonable security measures to protect tenants and visitors. This can include things like security cameras, security guards and adequate lighting. A landlord or property manager may be liable for crimes that take place on the property, such as robbery or assault.
3. Hazardous conditions
Commercial property owners and managers may also be liable for injuries or accidents that occur as a result of hazardous conditions on the property, such as toxic mold or asbestos. If a tenant or visitor encounters hazardous materials on the property and the landlord or property manager knew about the hazard and did not take steps to address it, they may liable for the resulting injuries.
Proper attention to detail and regular safety inspections can prevent untoward liability.
