Property Law
Imagine this: you just opened a brand-new business. You are excited to welcome your first customers and get started. Then, shortly after opening, someone slips and falls on your property. They break a hip. They want to hold you liable, claiming that it is your fault. According to a premises liability lawyer there is no need to imagine this as similar situations happen across the nation on a daily basis. It is important to protect yourself and your business to keep your patrons safe. Here are some tips on how to do so:
Walk Through
Spend time walking through your business. Do you notice places where you always trip? Is the floor a little slick just next to the door? Are there sharp corners where you bump your elbow? All of this is important to notice. Walk through your business on a regular basis and keep an eye out for obstructions. Also, you can get stuck in a rut. You might rush through this sort of brief overview of your business’s layout. Get a friend or two to walk through as well. Having a second set of eyes always helps.
Put Up Signs
One of the best ways to protect your business if you are unable to fix a problem is to put up signs. For example, perhaps you have put mats out by the entrance to your business. You have done so in the hopes that this will make the floor less slippery when it rains out. However, no matter how many mats you put down, the floor still manages to be slick in places. Always put up a sign to warn customers. In fact, put up multiple signs. Making them aware of the danger is important.
Fix Issues Immediately
Premises liability is founded on the principle that as a property owner, you neglected to do your duty and keep your premises safe. This often occurs when repairs are put off either due to budget or time constraints. Do not put off repairs. If a loose tile is a tripping hazard, get it fixed immediately. The longer you wait to do so, the more you stand a chance of someone tripping, falling, and suing your business.
Make Safety Your Priority
Before you even open your business for your first day, make safety your priority. Follow the aforementioned steps and complete a walk through. Hire an expert to determine what sort of fixes need to be made. Keep up with advances in safety to protect yourself. Start every day by going through your place of business before allowing customers to walk through. Get employees to do the same to ensure you have not missed anything. Repeat the routine before closing as well.
Hire A Lawyer
If you find yourself facing an issue, hire a lawyer. Accidents do happen, and lawyers all over the country can attest that someone breaking a hip on business property happens far too often — as most accidents do. However, it’s best not to wait until something bad happens. Contact a lawyer near you for help protecting your business and your customers.
