As a property owner, you have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment. If someone becomes injured on your property, you may initially think of it as his or her responsibility.
However, what you should know is that you have a responsibility to all guests on your property.
Maintain a safe environment
Slips and falls can happen anywhere at any time, resulting in serious injuries. For example, in 2020, about 40,000 people died from slip and fall injuries. As a property owner, you must maintain your property with regular inspections. Inspect your premises for potential hazards, uneven flooring, exposed wires and broken steps. If you discover safety issues, address them promptly to ensure your home remains safe for guests.
Additionally, keep your home well-lit when you have guests. If you do not have proper lighting around your property, it increases the likelihood of an accident happening. Well-lit areas can stop guests from tripping over obstacles within your yard and home.
Your liability for injuries
If injuries occur on your property, there may be legal consequences in the form of costly lawsuits. To determine your liability, you have to consider the type of visitors you have. All people have varying protections under the law. For instance, someone you invite into your home has more of an expectation of safety than someone who trespasses on your property.
If you know of various hazards on your property and do not address them then your guests can file a lawsuit against you if they receive injuries while on your premises.