When you’re extended an invitation to someone’s home, you would naturally assume that the appropriate parties have taken the necessary precautions to minimize the risks of an accident. However, this is not always the case. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property due to their negligence, you’re legally entitled to pursue legal action against the homeowner to seek monetary compensation for the damages you’ve incurred. Property owners have a responsibility to ensure that their premises are clear of hazards to ensure everyone’s safety. If they violate this responsibility, they can be held liable for their careless actions. That said, if you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident at another party’s house, it’s in your best interest to contact a determined Morris County Slip & Fall Attorney who can help you fight to attain the just compensation you deserve.
Is a homeowner liable for a slip and fall on their property?
As a homeowner, you may wonder about your legal obligations toward visitors if they get injured while on your property. In New Jersey, property owners have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for guests by repairing dangerous property conditions and providing adequate warnings of potentially hazardous situations to prevent accidents and injuires. If someone gets injured due to a Dangerous condition you failed to address, you can be held liable for their damages. Therefore, it’s crucial to regularly inspect your home and fix any dangerous conditions you find to maintain a reasonably safe premise. The following are some instances in which a homeowner may be liable for your injuries if your slip and fall were caused by:
- Loose floorboards
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Wet or recently waxed floors
- Leaking ceilings
- Improperly constructed staircase
- Defective sidewalks
- Potholes in driveway
- Poor housekeeping (cluttered floors with tripping hazards)
- Torn carpeting
How long do I have to pursue legal action for a premises liability case?
As mentioned above, if you sustain an injury while on another person’s property, you’re legally entitled to pursue legal action to collect compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. However, before you can recover compensation for the damages you’ve incurred, you must satisfy the burden of proof. To fulfill the burden of proof, you must prove that the homeowner’s negligence directly caused your injuries. In addition, you must file your claim within the strict legal deadline. The statute of limitations is the time limit an injured party has to file their claim after an accident. In New Jersey, injured parties have two years from the accident date to file their claim against a negligent homeowner. If they fail to meet this deadline, they will forfeit their right to take legal action and face the absolute bar of recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident while on someone else’s property, please don’t hesitate to contact a trusted Morris County slip & fall attorney, who can help ensure that you file your claim within the suitable timeframe. At Lutz Injury Law, we are prepared to help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Allow our firm to represent your interest today.