Overview

People are often injured while on someone else’s property or in their home or business. Sometimes no one is to blame, but other times the injury is the result of carelessness in failing to guard against dangerous conditions or defects on the property.

Premises liability laws are complex. The duty of a homeowner may be different from the duty of a business owner. However, anyone who owns a business, residence, apartment building, or even a vacant lot is required to use reasonable care to keep the property safe for visitors.

Owners or managers of property can be held liable for injuries caused by building code violations. The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards has adopted certain regulations and provisions that constitute our state’s building code. The state then certifies building inspectors who are responsible for making sure that buildings have complied with the code’s safety standards. Property owners who fail to comply with the building code or other applicable safety standards may be held liable for injuries that occur as a result.

Injuries that occur because of other indoor or outdoor hazards may also be compensable, like broken stairs, an unguarded swimming pool, automatic doors that close too fast, weak railings, debris or food left on the floor of the grocery store or other business, or product displays that collapse. Under Massachusetts law, homeowners and business owners are required to keep their premises reasonably safe and if they fail to do so, they may be held liable for injuries that occur as a result.

If you or a loved one has be injured on someone else’s property, contact our team to discuss your options.