Since the beginning of the economic slowdown, commercial property owners have faced an increased potential risk of liability claims made against them. While it is understandable that a weakened economy may have led more people to file claims and threaten lawsuits in order to get money, many of these claims could be easily averted. The fact is that some owners of commercial property have postponed needed repairs, in which case they may have inadvertently created an unsafe environment that invites negligence claims. Aside from making needed repairs, property owners should identify potential hazards and at least post signage and other warnings. Doing so helps show that ownership is not negligent, thereby circumventing a frequent basis for liability claims.
NOTE: In order to avoid liability litigation, owners of commercial properties and their managers should walk their properties regularly, both inside and outside tenant spaces, to look for potential risks.