Weather Conditions and Premises Liability

 How Weather Conditions Can Cause Injuries and Affect Premises Liability

Injuries caused by poor weather conditions are not always blameless. All property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions on their property. Property owners are also expected to take necessary steps to ensure that their territory remains accessible without visitors or guests being placed at risk of getting injured from a hazard. 

For example, during the winter time, a property owner must push out the snow from their premises to make it easier for others to enter the area. Or, when it’s heavily raining, a property owner could use the “Wet Floors” sign if wet footprints are spread all across their floors. This will allow visitors or guests to cautiously walk on slippery surfaces.

If you were injured on another person’s property, but were not given any warning on the hazards present, you may be eligible to file a premises liability claim against the property owner for their negligence. 

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our premises liability attorneys are available 24/7 to offer legal assistance to victims who have been injured from a negligent property owner. With our track record of winning more than 5,000 personal injury cases, we are confident that we will deliver a good outcome to your settlement.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

Considerations for Poor Weather and Premises Liability

In California, bad weather doesn’t generally play a large role in causing premises liability accidents. The most common weather conditions that may present an accident risk, however, are ice and snow. 

If a property owner is already aware of the possibility of hazardous ice and snow, he or she is required to clear up that hazard for any guests or invitees who may be on their property. Failure to do so is an act of negligence. 

Some accidents may also occur in parking lots or stairs. A property owner is required to take reasonable steps to maintain safety on their premises, especially if they are already aware of the hazard. Failure to do so may result in liability. 

For the most part a property owner will be sufficiently aware of the possibility of ice or snow on their property. Anytime an individual is harmed on a property where the foreknowledge of inclement weather is common sense, the odds will likely be stacked against the property owner. The greater the expectation of poor weather — such as in a popular winter resort in the mountains — the higher the expectation will be on a property owner to anticipate poor weather conditions and take the necessary steps to guarantee safety for their visitors.

Is There Enough Time to Clear the Hazard?

A property owner not only needs to be aware of a hazard, he or she needs to have enough time to take the necessary steps to address it. A property owner typically has up to 48 hours to remove ice and snow in order to avoid liability, especially if he or she is already aware that such hazards are a possibility. If a property owner delays in taking necessary action, he or she may likely be held liable for any losses caused due to their negligence. 

Contact Us to Find Out How We Can Help

If you have sustained injuries as a result of a premises liability accident, our knowledgeable premises liability attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Contact us today by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.