The owner of property, to include landlords, property managers, and others, must ensure that the property is safe for its intended use. This is true regardless whether the property is a large factory, a shopping center, or an individual’s home. In large part, a landowner’s duty to protect others against harm is determined by the reason someone else is on their property. Under Alabama law, there are 3 categories of individuals using or occupying another’s property: Business Invitee: This is a person who the landowner has, directly or indirectly, invited onto its property for the intended purpose of making a profit in return. Probably the most common example is a customer in a store.
Licensee: This is a person who has been invited onto another’s property for their own benefit. A typical example would be a social guest at someone else’s home.
Trespasser: This is a person who was never invited or is no longer welcome on another’s property.
The highest duty imposed on a landowner is to protect a business invitee. On the other hand, a landowner has virtually no obligation to protect a trespasser. For this reason, most premises liability cases involve business invitees.
Protecting Your Rights
If you have been injured on another person’s property, you have certain rights. In order to protect your rights, a prompt and thorough investigation must be conducted by highly qualified individuals who are familiar with applicable building code requirements and recognized industry safety standards. Key evidence also needs to be preserved before it is altered, replaced, or even destroyed. The failure to act promptly could have a seriously adverse effect on your rights and ability to be compensated for your resulting injuries and losses.Our Experience
At The Ryder Law Firm, we have over 19 years of experience assisting people who have been injured while on another’s property. Included among the many cases that we have handled are:- Unsafe construction sites
- Malfunctioning escalators
- Dangerous product displays
- Improperly maintained bathtubs enclosures
- Unreasonably slick floor surfaces
- Hazardous stairways and sidewalks
- Inadequately secured bleachers
If you or a loved one has been injured while on another person’s property, contact The Ryder Law Firm. Let us put our expertise and available resources to work for you.
