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Premises Liability Risks in San Antonio’s Booming Commercial Developments

San Antonio’s combination of big city convenience and small-town vibe has attracted many, leading to a commercial development boom with its advantages and drawbacks. Residents enjoy the new amenities cropping up in areas like the Far West Side and the Stone Oak corridor. However, properties in transition may also pose risks for customers, visitors, and employees, creating premises liability issues for property owners and new businesses.

If someone suffers an accident on your Central Texas property, you may be liable for their injuries and related expenses. The San Antonio premises liability lawyers at Carabin Shaw assist accident victims and business owners in navigating the complexities of premises liability, protecting the rights of all parties involved. Our experienced attorneys are available 24/7 and offer free case reviews in English or Spanish. Call us toll-free today at 800-862-1260.

Hidden Risks of New Developments in San Antonio, Texas

Businesses often open before the construction of a new development is completed, leading to a host of risks, including:

  • Unfinished sidewalks
  • Uneven surfaces
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Loose debris or materials
  • Insufficient hazard warnings
  • Rushed code inspections

Hazardous conditions can cause severe injuries to employees and customers, leading to premises liability claims, lawyers, and headaches for business owners.

What is Commercial Premises Liability in Texas?

Premises liability holds business owners responsible for maintaining a safe property for visitors. If a hazard, such as a slippery floor or a broken stair, causes a visitor to fall and sustain injuries, the business owner may be liable for the resulting injuries and related expenses.

Premises liability recognizes three distinct visitor classifications:

  • Invitees, such as customers
  • Licensees, such as social visitors or salespeople
  • Trespassers entering the property without permission

Business and property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, meaning they must:

  • Inspect the property regularly for possible hazards
  • Promptly repair known risks
  • Warn visitors if the hazard can’t be fixed immediately

The duty of care is slightly less for licensees. Owners must warn of obvious dangers and protect licensees against known risks. However, regular inspections are unnecessary for this category of visitors.

Trespassers require the least duty of care. Owners are not required to warn about potential dangers, but they cannot intentionally harm trespassers. The only exception is a feature like a swimming pool that might attract children. Owners must make these features inaccessible to young trespassers, using fences or other means.

If someone suffers an accident on your property, an attorney can help you determine which classification the visitor falls into to determine your liability in the incident.

Examples of Premises Liability Claims

Numerous mishaps can occur to visitors on your property, such as:

  • Slips and falls due to a wet or slick floor
  • Strikes by falling merchandise or signs
  • Trips over uneven flooring or debris left in walkways
  • Accidents on malfunctioning elevators or escalators
  • Falls due to inadequate lighting in traffic areas
  • Mishaps on snow or ice in parking lots

The most effective way to address accidents is to prevent them from occurring. By identifying risks and addressing them promptly, you keep your customers, employees, and business safe.

Protect Your Premises Liability Risk

If a lawyer files a personal injury claim against you on behalf of an accident victim, your business could be liable for substantial damages under Texas law. To lower your risk for accidents and lawsuits, consider these steps:

  • Hire an independent safety inspector rather than relying solely on city officials
  • Conduct a final safety inspection before opening your business to the public
  • Post clear signs or barriers to areas still under construction
  • Ensure indoor and outdoor traffic areas are sufficiently illuminated
  • Regularly inspect traffic areas to ensure no hazards have developed

If someone does get hurt on your property, contact a premises liability attorney in San Antonio immediately to protect your rights and assets.

Choosing the Best San Antonio Accident Attorney | Contact Carabin Shaw Today to Schedule Your FREE Case Review!

If someone is injured on your commercial property, call Carabin Shaw. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, and our client reviews attest to our ability to protect the rights of business owners like you. We are available now at 800-862-1260.

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Client Reviews
★★★★★
We are very glad we called Carabin Shaw after our accident. We now recommend them to everyone. - Griselda S.
★★★★★
You want Carabin Shaw on your side after an accident. They were excellent. - Valerie S.
★★★★★
In our opinion, no one is better, Carabin Shaw is the Law Firm you want on your side after an accident. - Amanda G.
★★★★★
The attorneys and staff went out of their way to help us after our accident. Thank you Carabin Shaw. - Melinda F.
★★★★★
We did our research after our accident and chose Carabin Shaw. They were great. Highly recommend. Joel Y.
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