If you are a property owner and someone is injured on your property, it is likely that the person will sue you. Personal injury lawyer in Cayuga will discuss what it means to be liable for injuries to a visitor on your property and how that differs in relation to an occupier’s liability.
Liability of the Person/Business Occupying the Property
Occupier liability is a legal concept that holds the tenant or owner of a property liable for injuries caused by dangerous conditions on the property. The concept of occupier liability is based on the idea that the owner or tenant is in control of the property and should be responsible for any injury that occurs there.
The law recognizes three main types of occupiers:
Landlords – who own buildings and land; can sue their tenants if they do not pay rent on time or maintain property properly.
Tenants – who inhabit rented premises, but have no responsibility for maintaining them as long as they meet their obligations under law (for example, paying rent).
Owners/Managers – who control their business operations; may be held accountable if negligence causes an accident at work.
If you are the owner, then you will be held liable for injuries to people who get hurt while using your property. This includes anyone who is injured by dangerous conditions in your house or apartment complex (for example, falling down the stairs and breaking their leg). Your liability extends to those who use common areas such as swimming pools, tennis courts and basketball courts.
It also includes injuries sustained by people who are invited onto the property, such as house guests. You will be responsible for paying any medical bills for these injuries and for any losses that may result from them.
Examples of Owner vs. Occupier Liability
When it comes to liability, there are two main categories: owner and occupier. An owner is someone who owns or controls the property (such as a homeowner). An occupier is someone who uses the property (such as a renter).
For example, Jane has a garden on her front lawn that she cultivates with pride each year. In doing so, she accidentally damages one of her neighbors’ lawns when digging up rosebushes for composting material. If Jane were an owner of the home where both properties are located—and therefore responsible for keeping them safe from injury—she would be liable for any resulting injuries sustained by either party because of her negligence in maintaining their respective properties properly.
If Jane were an occupier of the property and not the owner, however, she would not be held responsible for any injuries that occurred on either lawn as long as she was using her property in a reasonable manner.
What it boils down to is that as a property owner, you must be careful to avoid any injuries on your property. You are liable for the actions of others who use your property and if they get hurt, you will be held responsible.
