The winter months and holiday season are some of the most enjoyable of the year. Although marked by celebration, traveling, and time off work, the holidays can pose new hazards that can quickly turn festivities sour. From driving on wet or icy roads to an increase in the number of drunk drivers on the road, real dangers do exist this time of year – and everyone should be aware of them to ensure they don’t suffer preventable harm.

During the holidays, weather and decorations present new and unique hazards. Combine these hazards with visitors and guests who may not be familiar with new areas and you introduce a potential recipe for premises liability claims – lawsuits filed by victims who are injured by unsafe conditions on another’s property.

Although premises liability is a unique area of law that can involve many different situations and circumstances, these types of claims are generally hinged on a few key factors, including:

• Visitors and guests who have permission to be on another’s property.
• A premises owner failing to fix or warn guests about potential hazards.
• Visitors and guests who suffer harm due to premises owners failing to uphold their duty to maintain properties free from unreasonably dangerous hazards.

In an effort to help business owners, home owners, and others who may host holiday festivities where guests will be present, our legal team at The Daspit Law Firm has put together a few important tips to help you ensure your property is safe.

• Watch out for crumbling stairs or broken steps, slippery floors, bumps or cracks that present tripping hazards, bunched up rugs or flooring, and other hazards that can lead to slip, trip, or fall accidents. During this time of year, Christmas trees and holiday lights with cords can also create new hazards. If you can’t fully fix potential dangers, make sure there are sufficient warnings in place.
• Be aware of any fire hazards if a fireplace or candles are being used. Always check holiday lights to ensure they are in proper working order and keep trees well-watered and properly maintained so they don’t become dry fire hazards.
• Any decorations should not pose unreasonable hazards to guests. This means ensuring extension cords or lights don’t create tripping hazards, ornaments are not in walkways, and any decorations displayed in high places or on roofs are properly secured.

Whatever your plans may be, make sure that safety is your number one priority. When visitors and guests suffer harm as a result of a property owner’s negligence, they can pursue financial compensation for their damages, including their medical expenses and lost wages caused by missing time from work. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this year and remember to keep your premises free from harm.

If you have questions about premises liability and your rights after an accident, contact a Corpus Christi personal injury lawyer from The Daspit Law Firm for a free consultation.