Ways to Protect Yourself on Other People’s Property

Injuries happen all the time: at home, in the car, when you’re out at a shopping mall, and anywhere else. While slipping on something in your own kitchen isn’t typically reason to file a lawsuit, when you’re hurt on someone else’s property, it can become a legal gray area. A specialty under personal injury law is premises liability, and these laws deal with the responsibilities of property owners when it comes to the safety and health of others that visit their property.
When you walk onto the grounds of an apartment complex, or go to the grocery store, you can be confronted with a variety of hazards. Since this is not your personal space, you often cannot control the elements of your environment, and may have to deal with things like: poor/insufficient lighting, faulty electrical wiring, slippery floors, trash/debris, and other dangers.
If you want to protect yourself as much as possible, and give yourself the best chance at avoiding injury when you’re out and about, here are some tips to try:

1. Check your footwear

Many walkways are dangerous, but you can protect yourself with proper footwear. Choose closed-toe shoes that have rubber soles, for maximum stability and grip. And regardless of your shoe style, make sure they fit properly, and aren’t slipping off, or too tight where they restrict your movement/bloodflow.

2. Always have your camera-phone

Too often, people pass by hazards without much thought, or fail to gather evidence of the property that injured them. Keep your smartphone and/or camera with you, and take pictures of the dangerous area, so you can alert the proper authorities.

3. Be sober

If you are injured on someone else’s property, and are found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you’ll have a hard time making a case for your compensation. When traversing public property, try to be as sober and alert as possible.

4. Watch where you’re going

It might sound like common sense, but these days, too many people are distracted and not paying attention to their surroundings. Don’t walk around a store or attempt to walk on icy sidewalks while you’re on your phone, reading a book, or engaging in another task. Be aware of the people and objects around you, especially in inclement weather, or in busy traffic.
There are many dangerous situations on other people’s properties, both public and private, so take the precautions that you can to stay safe. And if you do get injured due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to us at the law office of Jonathan R. Brockman and ask for your free consultation.