How Can I Keep my Business Safe to Prevent Accidents in New Jersey?

People who own their own business are required to keep their grounds safe. This can be done by conducting regular inspections and fixing hazards the moment they arise. In the event that this is not done, a property can become dangerous for visitors and threaten their safety. If an accident happens that results in injury, the individual can pursue legal action against a negligent business owner under premises liability law. Continue reading below to learn more.

What are the Three Legal Classes of Visitors?

Under premises liability law, visitors are classified in three ways: 

• Invitee: A person who is invited onto a property. In the event of a business, the invitation is to exchange business for a mutual benefit.
• Licensee: A person who comes onto a property for personal, not to business or commercial, purposes. An example can be a person invited to a house for dinner. Usually, business visitors are invitees and not licensees.
• Trespasser: A person who is on a property without invitation and violating trespassing laws. An example can be a customer who does not leave when they are asked or a burglar. 

What are Common Causes of Injury Claims?

There are a variety of ways that an accident can happen on the grounds of a business. Common causes of these accidents that should be avoided can include:

• Slippery surfaces: Rain, ice, spills, wet or waxed floors, etc. can cause slip and fall accidents.
• Faulty stairs and escalators: Broken railings, slippery steps, and mechanical failures can cause stairwell, elevator, and/or escalator accidents.
• Falling merchandise: Objects that fall off shelves can injure both employees as well as customers.
• Physical obstacles: Poorly placed electrical cords, protruding furniture, floor mats or door moldings, door stops, fallen merchandise, etc. can cause accidents.
• Inadequate lighting: Curbs, physical obstructions, steps, potholes, etc. may not be seen without quality lighting can cause accidents.
• Parking lots: Concrete car stops, potholes, misdirected cars, uneven pavement, poor signage, construction, criminal activity, etc. can cause accidents.
• Sidewalks: Broken, cracked, or uneven sidewalks can cause accidents. While business owners are not responsible for government-controlled sidewalks, they can be liable for those adjacent to their business. 
• Food poisoning: Customers can become sick as a result of poor food handling, poor storage, or the transmission of disease from employees. 

Contact our Firm

If you have been the victim of the negligence of another in an automobile accident, please contact my office as quickly as possible following the subject accident. It is important to consult with us early on so that we may begin the process of fighting for your rights in regard to any potential claim that you may have. The process is complicated and requires the expertise of a qualified New Jersey personal injury attorney. CONTACT US TODAY!