Massachusetts Premises Liability

Boston-area personal injury lawyers pursue claims against negligent property owners

When you have been hurt because of the negligence or recklessness of a property owner, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries. In order to collect on an injury claim in Massachusetts, you must prove that the property owner or other responsible party failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent the injury by showing that certain conditions apply:

A duty was owed to you by the person who caused your injury
The responsible individual or business failed to carry out the duty they owed you
You were injured
Your injury was caused by their failure

The most common premises liability cases are slip and fall accidents. Unsafe conditions on construction sites frequently lead to injuries. Premises include buildings and structures as well as the ground itself. There are many dangerous conditions and events on premises that can cause injuries:

Building collapse
Dog bites
Explosions
Fires
Toxic substances
Slips and falls

Lack of security resulting in assault or robbery
Objects falling off shelves or out of windows
Exposed wires resulting in electrocution
Elevator or escalator malfunctions

Slip and fall

Slips and falls are often minor accidents, but in some cases they can lead to serious injuries or even death. There are many property hazards that may result in slip and fall accidents:

Broken steps
Cracks in sidewalks
Ice or snow
Inadequate lighting
Mossy steps

Parking lot potholes
Spilled liquids or debris
Torn carpeting
Uneven flooring
Wet floors

If you have been injured by a slip or fall, contact us to discuss the conditions surrounding your injury with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Construction accidents

Construction worksites can be dangerous places. You may be hit by construction debris, injured by the equipment in use, exposed to toxic substances, suffer a fall, or be hurt in a myriad of other ways. Accidents involving construction worker injuries usually are covered by workers compensation laws. Often, workers can also recover from a third party. If you are injured as a visitor or pedestrian at the construction site, general personal injury law applies.

Assigning the blame in these accidents can be complex. When you are injured in a construction accident, contact us to discuss the best course of action for you to take.

Dog bites

Massachusetts has a strict liability law regarding dog bites. This means that the dog "owner" or "keeper" is liable for almost any injury the animal causes. It does not matter if the dog was restrained, if the owner put up fencing or signs, or if the dog never bit anyone before. The dog owner is responsible for your injuries, unless you:

Are a trespasser
Teased, tormented, or abused the dog (though not applicable to a child up to age 7)

We know how you feel.