How Home Improvement can save you From Potential Lawsuits
Premises liability bases its principles on the breach of duty that’s owed by an occupier or owner of the property to protect guests from dangerous defects and conditions on the property. The occupier/owner is responsible for exercising reasonable care in the premise management to ensure people are protected from the potential risk of harm.
The premises liability law holds the land or premise owner or occupier liable for injuries sustained by those who visit the premises. In the context of premises liability, someone is said to “possess” premises or land when he or she occupies the land with the intent of controlling it. He or she has been occupying the land to control it if no one else has subsequently occupied it with the same intentions. Or he or she can occupy the land immediately if no one else is in possession. Some common types of premises liability claims revolve around:
- Poorly lit staircase
- Sidewalk and roadway defects
- Inadequate security
- Failure to extend a handrail to the last step
- Unmarked doors
- Iced entranceway to premises
- Asbestos exposure
- Slip and fall
- Dog bites
Irrespective of the type of injury, you, as a property owner, are responsible for injuries sustained as a result of hazards related to the property – whether a business or home. For instance, if you fail to fix a broken step on your property and a guest slips and falls down the stairs, and incurs injury, you can be held responsible for the visitor’s medical expenses and other costs. That’s why the importance of improving your property can never be overemphasized.
Here are some property improvement tips that can save you from potential lawsuits, according to one Las Vegas PI lawyer.
Preventing electrocution
Drowning is not the only issue associated with hot tubs and swimming pools. There is also the problem of electrocution. Aging electrical wiring, faulty underwater lighting, power washers, sump pumps are some of the leading causes of electrocution. Home improvement measures can ensure that electrocution issues do not arise when your guests are swimming.
Sidewalk and roadway defects
Cases of people sustaining injuries when they trip and fall over broken, cracked or uneven sidewalks or roadways are so common. Often, these injuries arise due to the property owner failing to institute or adhere to the policies concerning inspection, maintenance and repair of the sidewalks. If the path or roadway leading to your property is faulty, having it fixed can go a long way in minimizing falls, and potential lawsuits.
Fall claims
Head injuries, wrist injuries, leg & ankle injuries, bruising injuries and dislocation injuries are some common types of damages associated with falling downstairs. If your stairs are faulty, it’s in your interest to have them fixed so that visitors do not end up sustaining injuries. Integrating lights and rails that extend to the last step can also help save you from potential lawsuits.
Asbestos exposure
The exposure to asbestos is a major cause of mesothelioma. To avoid this cancer, one must prevent contamination when working with or near materials that contain asbestos. If yours is an old home, likely, your floor ties, steam pipes, boilers, decorative or soundproofing material, furnace ducts, door gaskets, roofing shingles, siding, or ashes contain asbestos. So, you want to exercise caution during repairs or replacements to ensure that people who are working on these things aren’t exposed to the risk.
Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs.
