Who Can Be Held Liable for A Premises Liability Claim in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, premises liability law exists to hold negligent property owners accountable when their failure to maintain safe conditions leads to visitor injuries. Whether you slipped on a wet floor at a grocery store, tripped over broken pavement in a parking lot, or fell on poorly maintained stairs at an apartment complex, you may have legal grounds to pursue compensation.

Knowing who can be held liable is the first step toward protecting your rights and recovering the damages you deserve. Contact our New Haven premises liability lawyers to discuss your legal options. Schedule your free consultation today.

What Is Premises Liability Under Connecticut Law?

Connecticut law requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors. When an owner fails to uphold this duty of care, and someone gets hurt as a result, that owner can be held legally responsible for the injuries through a premises liability claim.

The level of care a property owner owes you depends on your classification as a visitor:

• If you are an invitee—someone invited onto the property for the owner’s benefit, like a customer at a store—you are owed the highest duty of care. Property owners must regularly inspect for hazards, repair known defects, and warn you about non-obvious dangers. 
• If you are a licensee—someone on the property for your own purposes, such as a social guest—the owner must fix known problems and alert you to potential risks, though the duty isn’t quite as extensive. 
• Trespassers, who enter without permission, are generally owed minimal duty of care. Property owners cannot intentionally harm them. 

If you are an invitee who has been injured from a slip-and-fall accident, contact our New Haven slip-and-fall accident lawyers to seek compensation today.

Potential Liable Parties in a New Haven Premises Liability Claim

To determine who can be held liable for a premises liability claim, you will need to examine where the accident occurred and who controls that property. Multiple parties may share responsibility, depending on the circumstances of your case.

These include:

• Residential Property Owners: Homeowners who own single-family homes, townhouses, or condominiums must maintain safe conditions for visitors and can be held responsible when they don’t.
• Landlords and Property Management Companies: These parties control rental properties and bear responsibility for keeping common areas, building systems, and structural elements in safe condition.
• Commercial Businesses: Retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses owe customers a high duty of care and can be held accountable when unsafe conditions lead to injuries.
• Commercial Property Owners: The owners of shopping centers, office buildings, and strip malls may be liable for injuries in their stores, parking lots, walkways, and other common areas.
• Government Entities: State and local agencies can be held responsible for injuries on public property. Special procedures and deadlines apply to these claims.

Discuss Your Next Steps with a New Haven Premises Liability Attorney

Determining liability in premises liability cases requires thorough investigation and legal knowledge—something a Connecticut premises liability attorney can provide. An experienced lawyer knows how to identify all liable parties, gather evidence of negligence, and build a compelling case for compensation. 

A qualified premises liability attorney in New Haven can handle communications with property owners and insurers, negotiate for a fair settlement that covers your medical bills and other losses, and take your case to trial if necessary. If you’ve been injured due to unsafe property conditions, contact a New Haven premises liability lawyer at Lynch, Traub, Keefe, & Errante who can evaluate your claim and fight for the justice you deserve.