Avondale Premises Liability Attorneys

What Is a Property Owner’s Duty to Protect Visitors in Arizona?

Premises liability is a legal theory under which a property owner can be held responsible for damages arising from an injury that occurred on the owner’s property. The concept is that owners and occupiers of land have a responsibility to prevent injuries to people who enter their property. Premises liability principles apply to commercial establishments, business owners, private landowners, and tenants.

In Avondale and elsewhere in Arizona, the extent of the duty to protect visitors depends on the type of visitor and his or her reason for being on the property:

• Invitees: For premises liability purposes, a person who enters a property with an express or implied invitation for business purposes, such as a restaurant or grocery store customer, is known as an invitee. Under Arizona law, business owners are required to protect their customers by warning them of any dangerous condition on the property. When they fail to do so, they may be held liable for injuries if they knew of the dangerous condition, an employee created the dangerous condition, or the condition existed for long enough that the business should have known about it.
• Licensees: A person who visits a property with permission for non-business purposes, such as a social guest, is known as a licensee. Property owners are required to warn licenses of any non-obvious hazards of which they are aware. This duty increases when applied to children visiting the property who may not recognize dangers that would be obvious to an adult.
• Trespassers: Anyone who enters someone else’s property without permission is a trespasser. Property owners are not liable for injuries sustained by trespassers on their property unless they deliberately cause the injury.

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What Types of Cases Are Premises Liability Claims?

Various injury claims fall under the category of premises liability. Common examples include:

• Slip or trip and fall accidents: Visitors can be injured by slip or trip and fall hazards on a premises, such as spills, ice and snow, or loose carpeting.
• Injuries from falling merchandise in stores: When stores fail to stock overhead shelves properly and safely, merchandise can fall from above, injuring visitors.
• Drownings due to swimming pool property owner negligence: Swimming pools are an “attractive nuisance.” Property owners should have adequate barriers or fencing around pools to keep small children from entering.
• Dog bites: Arizona has strict liability dog bite laws. A dog’s owner is liable for any injuries or damages the dog causes. Victims are not required to prove negligence on the part of the owner.
• Assault resulting from negligent security: Property owners in Arizona have a legal duty to provide adequate and reasonable care for tenants and guests. When they fail to provide proper security and someone is assaulted as a result, the property or business owner may be liable for injuries and damages.

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What Steps Should You Take After an Avondale Premises Liability Injury?

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, take pictures, and get contact information for eyewitnesses if you are able. Document when, where, and how the injury occurred. The next step is to contact an experienced Avondale premises liability attorney for the best chance of recovering full compensation for your losses. If the owner of the business wants you to fill out a report regarding the incident, consult with your attorney first.

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Why Choose Us?

The Husband & Wife Law Team are experienced Avondale premises liability lawyers who will fight to protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (623) 930-8064 to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us no fees until we recover compensation for you.

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