By Dirk J. Duchscherer, MS, CSP, ARM, NB
Risk Control Manager, InterWest Insurance Services, Inc.
Premises Liability can simply be defined as the legal responsibility of the property/building owner/tenant to exercise ordinary care to protect a “reasonable” party from bodily injury and/or property damage while on premises.
Premises Liability is inclusive of inside/outside building areas such as common areas, sidewalks, parking lots, grounds, stairs, ramps, etc.
Based on potential financial loss and to provide a successful risk control program, a client needs to perform a risk assessment for all applicable Premises Liability exposures and hazards.
Exposures to the public can include:
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Struck/hit
- Burns
- Cuts
- Food borne illness
Hazards to the public can include:
- Slippery/wet/greasy floors
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Chuckholes/potholes
- Broken/sharp beverage containers and plates
- Inadequately prepared and unprotected served food and beverage items
- Inadequate lighting
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