The legal concept of premises liability determines when a property owner is to be considered responsible if anyone is injured on that property. The idea behind premises liability is that property owners are expected to keep the premises reasonably safe for anyone who goes there. If someone slips and falls on the property because of unsafe conditions, premises liability typically is in effect. Personal Injury Lawyers in Burlington VT help clients when the owner or the owner’s insurance company denies a claim for financial compensation.
Changes to State Law
It does not matter whether the individual was welcome on the property or was trespassing. Until 2014, Vermont state law only held property owners liable for injuries that occurred to someone doing business with the owner there. Guests and trespassers were not necessarily deserving of compensation if they were injured. The Supreme Court has modified that law.
Liability and Exceptions
Now, even if a stranger happens to walk across the yard as a shortcut, the property owner is liable for any injury that occurs. This could be from a dog attacking the person. It could be the result of tripping on the hidden hole left behind where a tree stump had rotted away. Personal Injury Lawyers in Burlington VT represent clients harmed in these circumstances.
Because of this law, property owners are expected to clear away snow and ice from public sidewalks around their property and from paved areas where people might want to walk. The exception is when the owner may not have been expected to handle the situation within a short time frame.
For example, it’s possible that the owner would not be considered liable if an ice storm occurred at 3 p.m. and someone slipped and fell on the sidewalk at 3:30. The owner might not have been at home and would have no way of dealing with the situation.
Consulting With Attorneys
Property owners and their insurers may put up a fight against these injury claims. A person who has suffered physical harm and believed premises liability applies may want to consult with attorneys at a law firm such as McVeigh Skiff LLP about the case.
