Dangerous Buildings and Property – Property owners owe a duty of care to whoever visits their property. Generally, the duty of care is to keep their property and visitors safe. The property owner controls the dangerous property or building and should label the building or property as a dangerous structure. Additionally, dangerous property may also include things such as hazardous waste spills.
If a property owner’s building, property, or structure are dangerous, and someone visiting their property is injured, the property owner may be legally liable. Serious injuries and death can occur from accidents caused by faulty design, construction, or maintenance of buildings and property. Claims for these injuries rely heavily on building, fire, electric, and OSHA codes, industry standards, and local and federal laws.
In Alaska, premise liability law holds property owners responsible for maintaining their property in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. When someone is injured on a property a potential claims arises if owner was negligent in ensuring safety. The injured victim may be able to seek compensation.
Property owners have a duty to maintain their premise in a reasonably safe condition. In addition, they have a duty to warn visitors of known dangers.
Because liability is based on negligence, the property owner must have failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm.
Common premise liability claims include slip and fall accidents and injuries caused by defective property conditions. However, dog bites, and inadequate security leading to criminal assaults require investigation. They are potential premise liability claims.
In Alaska, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including premise liability, is two years from the date of the injury.
Were you or someone you know injured or killed because of defects in the design, construction or maintenance of a building or property? Call Doug Johnson at Johnson Law, P.C., for a free consultation.