What Duties Do Property Owners Have?

If a Denton property owner does not keep their premises maintained in a reasonably safe condition, a person may be entitled to collect damages from the property owner if injured on the premises. The duty an owner owes to those on their property depends largely on the classification of the plaintiff. Plaintiffs will be classified as either invitees, licensees, or trespassers. Invitees enter a property for business reasons, licensees enter a property for social reasons and trespassers do not have permission or authorization to enter a property. Generally, invitees and licensees are owed a greater duty than trespassers. A local slip and fall lawyer would be well-versed in the distinctions and nuances within each of these categories and can help establish a case accordingly.

Proving a Slip and Fall Case

The basic elements that must be proved in a slip and fall case are:

• The property owner owed a reasonable duty of care
• The property owner breached that duty
• The breach caused the accident
• Someone suffered injuries because of these actions

The actions or negligence of each party will be considered in determining who is at fault for the accident. If the injured party is determined to be partially at fault for their fall, they may still be entitled to recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault. Although fault may reduce the amount of damages awarded, the victim can usually still recover some amount. A trip and fall lawyer in Denton can assist in recovering that amount.