When you visit shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, you likely do not expect to suffer an injury. Commercial property owners have a responsibility to keep their guests safe. If an owner’s negligence results in injuries to you, then you need skilled legal counsel to protect your rights.
Contact a Cypress commercial property liability lawyer at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris for the assistance you need. Our premises liability attorneys could listen to what happened and advise you on your legal options during a free consultation.
What Is Commercial Property Liability?
Commercial property owners and managers bear a responsibility to their invited guests, visitors, customers, residents, and clients. Generally, if you are on the commercial property legally, the owner owes you a duty of care.
Commercial property owners do not owe the same duty to trespassers or others who enter their premises illegally. However, the law prohibits owners from intentionally causing harm to these individuals, and gross negligence toward trespassers can still create liability.
No Expectation of Guaranteed Safety
The law does not require commercial property owners to guarantee their guests’ absolute safety, but they have a legal duty to exercise reasonable caution to protect guests and visitors. This means applying the same level of care that other commercial property owners would use under similar circumstances. If a commercial property owner fails to take responsible action—or takes an unreasonable action—which results in injury, the injured party may have grounds for a liability claim.
Additional Requirements
To establish a valid claim for commercial property liability, you must demonstrate the following requirements:
- The commercial property owner knew about the danger or reasonably should have known about it
- The owner failed to adequately address the danger or warn guests about it
- The danger directly caused the accident that injured you
- You suffered legal damages as a result of the danger
An attorney experienced in commercial property liability cases in Cypress could evaluate these elements in the context of your claim and help you pursue appropriate compensation.
Possible Legal Damages
Legal damages refer to losses that you can seek compensation for in a commercial property liability claim. They include related medical expenses, which can accumulate quickly with serious injuries; lost income, including long-term effects on your earning potential; and physical pain and emotional distress, which may profoundly impact your recovery and exceed your total financial losses.
Common Examples of Commercial Property Liability Claims
Every commercial property liability claim in Cypress is unique, but an experienced attorney could evaluate the specifics of your case. Common categories of such claims include the following:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by spills, worn floor coverings, or overly slippery surfaces
- Inadequate lighting or security in hotels, apartment buildings, or other facilities
- Swimming pools at hotels, apartments, or resorts that lack proper warnings or protections
- Structural defects that compromise safety
- Defective escalators or elevators
- Fire hazards, such as faulty wiring
- Poorly designed, constructed, or maintained stairways, as well as missing or loose handrails
- Insufficiently marked indoor or outdoor level changes, including at entrances and exits
These examples highlight the wide range of risks that commercial property owners must address to protect lawful visitors.
Contact an Attorney About Your Commercial Property Liability Claim in Cypress
A dedicated Cypress commercial property liability lawyer at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris is well prepared to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. We have earned a solid reputation for providing skilled legal guidance that could significantly affect the outcome of your claim. Learn more by contacting our personal injury attorneys online or calling our firm today.
