Premises Liability vs. Slip and Fall: What’s the Difference In Missouri?
Premises Liability vs. Slip and Fall: What’s the Difference In Missouri?
When someone is injured on another person’s property, it can be confusing to determine what type of legal claim applies. Two commonly discussed terms are premises liability and slip and fall cases. While they are related, they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference can help injury victims in Missouri know their rights and potential legal options.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a broad legal concept that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for keeping their property reasonably safe. If a hazardous condition exists—such as broken stairs, poor lighting, or unmarked construction hazards—and someone is injured because of it, the property owner may be held legally accountable.
Premises liability can cover many situations, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Negligent security leading to assaults
- Swimming pool accidents
- Falling objects
In short, premises liability is the category of law that covers injuries caused by dangerous property conditions.
What Is a Slip and Fall Case?
A slip and fall is one type of premises liability claim. These cases involve situations where someone slips, trips, or falls due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property. Common causes include:
- Wet or icy surfaces
- Uneven flooring
- Loose carpeting
- Spilled liquids
- Cluttered walkways
Slip and fall claims require showing that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it or warn visitors.
Key Differences
- Scope: Premises liability is the broader category, while slip and fall is a specific type of claim.
- Types of Accidents: Premises liability covers various accidents, but slip and fall only involves tripping, slipping, or falling hazards.
- Examples: If you are bitten by a dog in a store, that’s a premises liability claim but not a slip and fall. If you trip on broken pavement outside a business, that may be both premises liability and a slip and fall claim.
Legal Help in Missouri
Premises liability and slip and fall cases can be complex, as they often involve questions of negligence, notice, and duty of care. At Allen Injury Law, LLC, we provide legal assistance to the Missouri public and can help determine the best course of action after an accident on another’s property.
