A serious slip-and-fall accident can happen anywhere—a shopping mall, a grocery store, or even a hotel lobby. One moment you’re walking, and the next, you’re on the ground, injured and in pain. Beyond the immediate discomfort, you may face mounting medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about what to do next. Understanding your legal options is crucial.
At Guajardo Injury Law, we know how overwhelming these situations can be. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the complexities of personal injury law, helping you determine whether your case falls under premises liability or general liability. No matter the circumstances, we are committed to securing the best possible outcome for you. Read on to learn when you should hire a premises liability attorney versus a general liability attorney and how the right legal representation can make all the difference.
What’s the Difference Between Premises Liability and General Liability?
Premises Liability
Premises liability is a subset of personal injury law that specifically applies to accidents occurring on someone else’s property. Whether you slip and fall in a retail store, are injured by faulty construction equipment at a job site, or experience harm because of inadequate security measures, premises liability claims revolve around the property owner’s responsibility to maintain a safe environment.
Property owners, landlords, and businesses are legally required to ensure that their premises are free from hazards that could cause injuries to guests, customers, or employees. To pursue a premises liability claim, you must demonstrate that the property owner or manager failed to maintain the property safely. This could include broken handrails, poor lighting in stairwells, or wet floors that weren’t promptly cleaned. If these conditions directly caused your injury, the property owner may be found liable for damages.
General Liability
General liability, on the other hand, refers to insurance that protects businesses and property owners from various claims, including bodily injuries, property damage, or advertising mishaps. It’s a broader form of coverage that can apply to any number of incidents, not necessarily limited to premises accidents. If someone is injured on a business’s property, general liability insurance may cover medical costs and other damages associated with the injury.
Unlike premises liability, which specifically deals with a property owner’s negligence in maintaining a safe environment, general liability is more about ensuring that the business owner is financially protected from various lawsuits. While general liability insurance might cover some premises-related incidents, it also covers other claims unrelated to the property’s condition, such as accidents during a company event or damage to a client’s property.
When to Hire a Premises Liability Attorney…
When You Slip or Fall on Someone Else’s Property
One of the most common types of premises liability cases involves slip-and-fall accidents. If you’ve slipped on a wet floor in a grocery store, tripped over an unmarked hazard in a hotel, or fallen due to poor lighting in a parking lot, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim. Premises liability attorneys are experts in handling these types of claims, ensuring that the property owner is held accountable for their failure to maintain a safe environment.
When There Is Inadequate Security on the Property
Another situation is when inadequate security results in harm. This could be in the form of an assault or injury caused by criminal activity on the property. Property owners are responsible for providing adequate security measures, including working locks, surveillance cameras, and hiring security personnel when necessary. If the property owner fails to maintain security, and you suffer an injury as a result, you may have a premises liability case.
When Unsafe Conditions Are Present Due to Poor Maintenance
Premises liability cases also arise when property owners fail to maintain their property, resulting in unsafe conditions. For example, a broken handrail, an uneven sidewalk, or an obstruction in the hallway can lead to serious injuries. If you’re injured because of these hazards and can prove that the property owner neglected their responsibility to maintain the premises, a premises liability attorney is the right professional to help you file a claim.
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, understanding whether your case falls under premises liability or general liability is crucial to getting the right legal help. At Guajardo Injury Law in Austin, TX, our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the complexities of personal injury law, whether your case involves premises liability or general liability. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation and let us help you recover the compensation you deserve.