Houston Premises Liability - Who's Liable for Your Slip and Fall Injury?

Unprecedented slip and fall accidents are common in cities like Houston, especially in places with a lot of foot traffic like The Galleria or Memorial City Mall.

Texas premises liability laws state that property owners are only held liable if they were aware of the hazard and didn't take reasonable steps to fix it. So basically, any victim of a slip and fall has to prove that the liable party failed to provide a safe environment according to the law. These cases may require the guidance of a slip and fall lawyer due to their complexity.

At Carabin Shaw, our team of seasoned attorneys understands the difficulty of premises liability and is prepared to take on Houston slip and fall accident claims no matter who is at fault.

It is essential to understand the basics of premises liability law. According to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 75, property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for those who enter them. This includes taking necessary precautions to avoid slip and fall accidents, such as repairing broken steps or cleaning up spilled liquids.

If you've experienced a slip and fall accident, understanding slip and fall injury liability in Houston is crucial for determining who may be responsible for your damages

One key player responsible for a slip and fall accident is the property owner themselves. The property owner needs to ensure that their property is hazard-free or if hazards exist, they must warn visitors adequately. A recent study posted on the National Floor Safety Institute's website states that falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits annually. This staggering number highlights the importance of property owners maintaining their properties to avoid slips and falls.

With growing urbanization in Houston, there has been an increase in multi-storied apartment complexes and condominiums. In these settings, both property owners and managers could be held liable if they have assumed some level of responsibility for maintaining safe premises. In this case, liability may depend on the lease agreement or other personal arrangements between the parties.

Additionally, property management companies in Houston could also be held responsible for slip and fall accidents. If property management is negligent in maintaining properties that they oversee, they may be found liable for neglecting to regularly inspect the property for potential hazards or ignoring tenant complaints about unsafe conditions.

Failure to regularly inspect a property could lead to harm for the tenants, and liability may fall to the property management. Proving negligence in premises liability cases is challenging, and you should consult with an attorney before moving forward.

In some cases, an employee or contractor working on the property may also be responsible. This usually occurs if a worker's actions directly lead to the accident. For example, if a janitor fails to place a cautionary sign after mopping a floor, that individual may be found at least partially responsible.

Another possible party are builders who designed or constructed the space. If a poorly conceived layout or substandard construction led to a slip and fall accident, they may be held accountable. However, cases like these are difficult to prove and require a firm of expert lawyers like the Houston slip and fall attorneys at Carabin Shaw.

Before choosing a legal team, it's wise to consider Carabin Shaw's client reviews to gain valuable insights into our expertise and the experiences of those we've assisted.

Call 800-862-1260 toll-free to book an appointment. Our staff is available 24/7 to assist you, and we can conduct your consultation in English or Spanish. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, which means you don't pay a dime unless we win your case.

For more information:

• Texas Statutes
• NFSI
• Texas Statutes