New Jersey Premises Liability Attorneys
New Jersey premises liability is the branch of the law that holds the owner (or possessor) of land responsible for most incidents that take place on that land. Under New Jersey law, all entities that are open to the public are required to keep their premises clear of any known or foreseeable hazard. If there are unavoidable hazards, such as floors that are drying right after being mopped, the owner or possessor must give visitors a clear warning. If the owner or possessor of the land fails in that duty and someone is injured as a result, the property owner can be legally liable for any premises liability lawsuit the victim might file. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a premises liability injury in Princeton New Jersey, please contact Lependorf & Silverstein immediately.
New Jersey premises liability law applies to public places like stores, amusement parks and even sidewalks, as well as public property and private homes with invited guests. Owners or possessors of commercial property are also legally responsible for making sure the public sidewalks next to their entryways are reasonably safe, which includes clearing snow and ice as well as correcting defects. Almost all businesses and homeowners in New Jersey carry premises liability insurance that covers this sort of claim. In a case where the possessor of the premises is renting from an absentee owner, one or both may be legally liable for the injury.
Most commonly, a premises liability lawsuit is a New Jersey slip and fall lawsuit, in which the plaintiff was hurt by slipping on some hazard, such as:
- Bad lighting that conceals hazards.
- Wet floors.
- Rugs, door mats and other floor coverings which are not well-secured.
- Unexpected objects, cords or cables in a walkway.
- Spilled food, motor oil or another slippery substance.
- Holes or cracks in the floor.
- Snow, ice, rain or other weather hazards that have not been cleared.
In order to successfully sue, the victims must be able to show that they were invited (rather than trespassers); that they took reasonable care to avoid injury; and that the owner failed to fix the hazard within a reasonable amount of time.
The same standards apply to New Jersey negligent security lawsuits, a type of premises liability lawsuit filed by victims of violent crimes caused by inadequate security. If property owners and occupiers can reasonably anticipate a violent crime, either because of the character of the neighborhood or the type of business, they have a duty to maintain reasonable security at all times. This frequently means adequate lighting, well-sealed doors and windows, video surveillance or private security officers. Failure to take these measures, especially if similar crimes have happened in the same location in the past, exposes the owner to a New Jersey premises liability lawsuit.
In private homes, the most common type of premises liability lawsuit comes from an attack by a dangerous dog. If you are bitten by a dog without provocation while you are an invited guest in someone else's home -- or if you are on public property and the dog is uncontrolled -- the owner is legally liable for any lawsuit you bring. In New Jersey, social hosts who give alcohol to a minor or a visibly intoxicated person may also be liable for any injury that results.
If you're considering filing a premises liability lawsuit in Princeton New Jersey, you should call Lependorf & Silverstein as soon as possible. We are a Princeton-based personal injury law firm serving clients throughout New Jersey who have been seriously injured on someone else's property. We have extensive experience with premises liability cases, especially the complicated laws surrounding liability and fault in slip and fall cases.
We're proud to say we've won millions for injured clients -- money they can use to get the medical treatment they need, make up for missed work and compensate for pain, suffering and permanent disability. And we always offer free consultations, so there's no risk to you in speaking with an experienced New Jersey premises liability accident lawyer about your case.
If you or a loved one is considering a premises liability lawsuit in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.