Property Owner’s Duty of Care in Atlanta

Under Georgia law, property owners owe a duty of care to their visitors. This means they must exercise ordinary care to safeguard their visitors from potential hazards. Breaching this duty of care and leading to an invitee getting injured could result in a premises liability case. It’s worth noting that the term “property owner” cuts across the board and includes home and business owners.

Damages from a negligent property owner could easily put you in financial turmoil. Fortunately, the experienced lawyers at The Dressie Law Firm, LLC can increase your chances of winning a premises liability case.

Property owners may breach their duty of care in various ways, often leading to dangerous conditions for visitors. Some of the most common scenarios include:

• Failure to Maintain Safe Walkways: Walkways that are uneven, cracked, or poorly lit pose a significant hazard. For example, a property owner who neglects to fix a broken sidewalk or fails to clear snow and ice during the winter months could be held liable for slip-and-fall accidents.

• Ignoring Structural Hazards: Deteriorating buildings or structural elements, such as collapsing ceilings or broken stair railings, create severe risks. If these hazards are ignored or not repaired in a timely manner, the property owner may be liable for any resulting injuries.

• Allowing Inadequate Security: Properties, especially those in high-crime areas, are expected to have sufficient security measures in place. A lack of proper lighting, security personnel, or surveillance systems may result in criminal activities like assaults or thefts, for which the property owner could be held accountable.

• Neglecting to Address Environmental Hazards: Conditions such as mold, asbestos, or exposed wiring can lead to serious health risks. If a property owner is aware of such hazards and fails to rectify them, they could be liable for any illnesses or injuries that occur.

• Unsafe Pool Areas: Pools must have proper fencing, signage, and safety equipment. Failing to maintain these safety standards can result in drowning accidents or other injuries, making the property owner responsible.

Each of these examples demonstrates how a lack of reasonable care can create unsafe conditions, exposing property owners to potential premises liability claims.

The law holds every property owner responsible for maintaining a safe environment. Owners must exercise ordinary care to ensure their visitors remain safe. Some of their key responsibilities, according to premises liability laws, include:

• Keeping the premises in a safe condition

• Conducting regular inspections to identify hazards and perform necessary repairs

• Installing warning signs indicating immediate hazards

• Implementing reasonable security measures to protect visitors from violent crime

• Complying with necessary building codes and regulations

• Landlords must ensure the rented space is safe for all their tenants

• Cordoning off attractive nuisances to children like swimming pools, powerlines, and trampolines

If you were recently injured on someone’s property, you have the legal right to compensation under premises liability laws. Premises liability claims allow injured parties to seek compensation for their injuries. Here’s how you can file your claim.

Seek medical treatment– Rush to the nearest medical facility to receive treatment for your injuries.

Collect and preserve the evidence– Next, gather every piece of evidence you can. Evidence can include photos and videos of the hazard, defective structure, or injury. You can also keep obtain security camera footage and medical records, prescriptions, and other documentation that may support your case.

Report the incident– With enough evidence at hand, you’ll want to report the incident to the property owner next. This could be the homeowner, landlord, property manager, or business owner. Be sure to document the crucial details and request a copy of the incident report. Crucial factors to include in the incident report are: