Slip and fall at a residential property?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall at a residential property, you may want to speak with an attorney who is experienced in handling slip and fall claims. The parties responsible for slip and falls on residential properties are the owners of the property. If the property is rented, the landlord may be responsible for the slip and fall if it occurred in an area where the landlord had control over and was required to maintain. The owner of the property is responsible for general maintenance of their property, including repairing or eliminating any dangerous conditions. Typically, homeowner’s insurance will provide coverage for a homeowner if any party is injured on their property.

A homeowner may not always be liable for a slip and fall on a residential property. They may not be liable to trespassers and unwanted guests (i.e. burglars) because they are not invited guests on the property. However, children are an exception to the rule because children are unable to perceive danger in the same way as adults. For example, a homeowner would be liable if a child, trespassed on their property to use the homeowner’s pool, and was injured in a slip and fall. Homeowners may also not be liable depending on the guest’s behavior. The behavior of the homeowner and guests are measured by the standard of a reasonable person. The reasonable person standard is a hypothetical person who exercises caution and restraint in their behavior. For example, a homeowner is not likely to be liable to a guest who goes down the stairs in rollerblades and is injured. However, if a dangerous condition exists, a homeowner has a duty to fix it or warn guests of the condition’s existence.

If you have been injured in a residential slip and fall, the Law Offices of d’Oliveira and Associates, P.C., can help you receive all of the compensation you deserve. Give us a call for a free consultation and remember you pay no legal fees unless a settlement is made on your behalf.