Boston Premises Liability Attorneys
Every day, a person walks through many buildings, businesses, and establishments throughout Massachusetts, likely giving little thought to the safety or condition of those areas.
It is the responsibility of property owners to take steps to ensure that a premises is safe to pass through and does not pose any threat of injury, illness, or death to visitors. However, when a property is not maintained appropriately, or does not have signs warning of dangers in clear view, visitors are at an increased risk of slip-and-fall accidents, chemical exposure, and other serious personal injuries.
Properties that are open to the public in Massachusetts must provide reasonably safe conditions to visitors. If a dangerous condition exists, and a person suffers an injury or fatal accident, the owner of the property or the person in charge of maintaining the area can be held accountable for a victim’s injuries and a family's loss of a loved one.
Causes of Massachusetts Premises Liability Injuries
There are many dangerous conditions, including but not limited to the below, that may exist on a property or premises that can result in a person suffering a serious injury:
- Wet, slippery conditions: If the floors of a building have recently been cleaned or if it has rained, it is reasonable for the premises to be wet or slippery. However, it is not acceptable for a property owner to fail to notify visitors of the potentially hazardous conditions. If signs are not clearly posted and visitors are not made aware of an environment that is unsafe, a serious injury accident may result.
- Badly maintained elevators: An elevator that is prone to unexpectedly losing elevation may lead to an accident. In addition, if an elevator does not stop evenly at a floor, a visitor may trip and fall on the gap between the elevator doorway and the floor.
- Criminal activity: If a property has a history of dangerous criminal activity occurring, the property owner can be held responsible for the injuries suffered during a crime. For example, if a property owner or manager is aware that crimes are committed on the property yet fail to add additional security measures or remedy the situation, they can be held liable for incidents on the property.
- Broken or uneven stairs: One of the most common locations for a slip-and-fall accident is staircases. A property owner has a legal obligation to repair a broken step in a timely manner or to clearly post warnings regarding the dangerous condition to prevent a visitor from falling.
- Toxic/chemical exposure: It is expected that a property owner will clean up toxic or chemical exposures to prevent the air from containing hazardous fumes or the water becoming contaminated. Toxic and chemical substances should be stored, used, handled, and transported properly.
Proving a Premises Liability Claim in Massachusetts
There are other situations that can result in a property accident in Massachusetts. If you have been injured due to an unsafe property, consulting with a Boston premises liability attorney can help you understand the legal options available to you. In order to be held responsible for an accident, the owner of the property must be found negligent, which in some cases can be difficult to prove. Having quality representation on your side can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Along with Tom Kiley, “The Million Dollar Man”, the lawyers at the Kiley Law Group, LLC, have a long, successful track record of protecting the rights of victims who have been injured as the result of another’s negligence. Please call 1-888-208-1695 if you have been injured on someone’s property because of unsafe conditions you believe the owner was aware of. We offer free consultations.
