When you visit malls, restaurants and other properties, you trust that they are generally safe and expect their property owners to apply the necessary measures to prevent hazards. Unfortunately, some owners fail to act on, or sometimes deliberately ignore, their property’s unsafe conditions. This exposes them to legal liabilities for personal injuries.
But what if uncontrollable events, such as sudden rainfall, cause those unsafe conditions? Will your injury case still hold weight?
It depends: Was there negligence?
Property owners do not get away with accidents within their premises just because rain is generally unpredictable. Even if their property’s floors become wet due to rain, owners and their personnel have to take necessary and reasonable measures to ensure the safety of their visitors. These measures include the following:
- Mopping away rainwater and drying the floors
- Posting clear “wet floor” warning signs
- Temporarily restricting the area affected by the rain
If the property owner or their staff fail to take adequate safety measures and a guest slips, falls and sustains an injury within their premises, they can be liable for damages because of their negligence.
Holding the right people accountable
Premises liability cases can be tricky. There are several factors to consider, such as the property owner’s level of responsibility and whether there was comparative fault. It is common to worry about how a simple detail in your situation, such as rain causing the wet floors, can affect your case against the property owner.
Nevertheless, those worries should not keep you from holding the right people responsible for your injuries. A professional legal support can help clear your doubts, help you explore suitable remedies and set your expectations.
