Premises Liability

Property owners and businesses have a responsibility to provide a reasonably safe environment for their guests and visitors. If they are negligent in maintaining their premises, they may be liable for injuries caused by the dangerous condition of their property. The New Hampshire premises liability lawyers at Normandin, Cheney & O'Neil have substantial experience litigating complex cases and work tirelessly to pursue successful results for victims and their families in Belknap, Grafton, Carroll, and Merrimack Counties. If you or a loved one has been hurt on the property of another person or business, a knowledgeable injury attorney at our firm can provide advice regarding your legal options, as well as guidance throughout the proceedings.

Premises liability refers to the laws holding property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property. These cases are commonly based on negligence, which requires proof of a duty of care, a breach of that duty, actual and proximate causation, and damages. Depending on the relationship between the parties and the facts of the case, the duty owed by property owners to people on their premises may vary.

Generally, under New Hampshire law, a property owner owes a duty to entrants to use ordinary care to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition, to warn entrants of dangerous conditions, and to take reasonable precautions to protect them against foreseeable dangers arising out of their presence on or use of the premises. Accordingly, a property owner may be liable for injuries suffered by other people on the premises if the harm results from either the property owner’s failure to carry out his or her activities with reasonable care, or the property owner’s failure to repair or warn of a dangerous condition of which he or she knows or reasonably should be expected to know. Some examples of unsafe conditions that may give rise to owner liability include wet, slippery, or deteriorating floors, inadequate lighting, violations of health and safety laws, the presence of hazardous or toxic materials, and others.

An injured plaintiff may be able to recover compensatory damages from a negligent property owner. These may include damages for past and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement and disability, lost enjoyment of life, and other losses. If the plaintiff was partly at fault for the slip and fall, he or she may still recover damages as long as he or she is less at fault than the defendant. The plaintiff’s damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to him or her.

Premises liability cases can be nuanced due to the variety of situations in which they arise. At Normandin, Cheney & O'Neil, our New Hampshire premises liability attorneys can explain the law as it pertains to your specific claim and address any concerns you may have. With over 100 years of legal practice behind us, we have gained significant experience representing people in a diverse range of personal injury cases, and we have the resources and diligence necessary to bring forth a strong case. Located in Laconia, we serve residents of Belknap, Grafton, Carroll, and Merrimack Counties, among other areas. Contact Normandin, Cheney & O'Neil by phone at (603) 524-4380 or online to set up a consultation with a personal injury or wrongful death attorney.