Say you slip and fall outside with no one else around to have witnessed or contributed to it. Under these conditions, your pathway towards an injury claim may be unclear. That is, you may not know who is responsible for this incident, if anyone at all, and what evidence you can obtain to confirm this. Well, if you find yourself in this predicament, please read on to discover how premises liability law applies to slip and falls that occur outside a building, and how a seasoned Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer at The Mathis Law Firm can help you effectively bring forward a claim.
Does premises liability law still apply outside a building?
First of all, the state of Texas observes something called a premises liability statute. This law holds that a property owner, business manager, or occupier has a duty to keep their premises reasonably maintained and safe for any legally welcomed or accepted visitors (i.e., customers, clients, employees, and social guests).
Well, you must understand that this responsibility extends to the exterior of their building, as well. That is, under Texas law, premises generally also include the land, structures, and other improvements attached to or associated with the building, such as its parking garages, parking lots, sidewalks, walkways, and entranceways.
Still, you may not feel entirely confident if, say, the sidewalk you slipped and fell on is considered a public party or part of a private building. Well, you may answer your doubts by checking county records, reviewing land surveys, or examining tax appraisal maps. Rest assured, one of our skilled lawyers can facilitate this research on your behalf.
Who is liable for my slip and fall outside a building?
To reiterate, Texas’s premises liability law aims to hold a property owner, business manager, or occupier accountable for slip and falls. But for your specific incident, you may not know who to file your claim against, or if it should be directed against multiple parties. Well, it greatly matters exactly where your fall took place.
For example, say that you lost your footing and tumble due to an uneven surface in a parking lot (i.e., cracked pavement, pothole, unmarked speed bump, uneven curb heights, etc). Well, the property owner or landlord would likely be responsible for dangerous conditions in common areas like these.
On the other hand, say you are approaching an entranceway that directly serves the unit of a specific commercial tenant of a building. This is when you may slip and fall due to standing water, snow, or other weather-related debris. Depending on their lease agreement, a tenant may be blamed for a hazard in their leased space that caused an injury.
When preparing for your upcoming legal case, you may find the missing puzzle piece to be your legal representation. Please do not work further until you have retained the services of a competent Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer. Schedule your initial consultation with The Mathis Law Firm today.
