What does "premises liability" cover beyond slip and fall?

Premises liability covers any injury caused by an unsafe condition on someone else\u2019s property — slip and fall, negligent security (assault in a parking lot), dog attacks on rented property, swimming pool drownings, falling objects, broken stairs, inadequate lighting, and unsecured construction sites.

Does the property owner have to know about the danger?

Generally yes. The owner must have actual knowledge of the hazard, OR the hazard must have existed long enough that a reasonable owner should have known. Wet floors with no caution sign, ice that was never salted, or a broken stair the owner ignored are common examples.

What if I was a trespasser on the property?

Property owners owe trespassers very little duty in most states — but exceptions exist. Children attracted to dangerous conditions ("attractive nuisance"), known frequent trespassers, and intentional traps still produce viable claims.

How long do I have to file a premises liability claim?

Pennsylvania and New Jersey: 2 years. New York and Maryland: 3 years. Claims against city, county, state, or federal property have much shorter notice deadlines — sometimes 60 to 90 days.

Will the property owner pay me out of pocket?

Almost never. Homeowner\u2019s insurance, business liability insurance, apartment-complex policies, and umbrella policies pay the claim. The owner remains insured.

Premises Liability Lawyers | PA, NJ, NY & MD

Tell us what happened on the property

A real attorney will review what you submit — usually within one business day. You can also call (610) 255-7500 for an immediate response.

Key Takeaways

Premises liability covers slip-and-fall, negligent security, dog attacks on rentals, pool drownings, and unsafe stairwells.

Property owners owe different duties of care to invitees, licensees, and trespassers.

Statute of limitations: 2 years in PA and NJ, 3 years in NY and MD; government property has shorter notice rules.

Cases pay through liability insurance — owners are rarely sued personally.

Contingency fee — no recovery, no fee.

Reviewed by: Michael Alan Siddons, Esquire — LL.M (Taxation), member of the PA, NJ, MD, and NY bars.
Last reviewed: May 9, 2026. Content reflects current case-acceptance criteria and legal posture as of the review date.

Pennsylvania & PA, NJ, NY, and MD Premises Liability Attorneys | Slip and Fall Injuries

Property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to address hazardous conditions and someone is injured, they can be held liable for damages. At Siddons Law Firm, our premises liability attorneys represent people injured due to dangerous property conditions throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. Call (610) 255-7500 for a free consultation.

Types of Premises Liability Cases

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of premises liability claim. These incidents occur due to wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs, icy sidewalks and parking lots, uneven flooring or broken tiles, spilled liquids in grocery stores and restaurants, poorly maintained stairways, and loose rugs or floor mats.

Trip and Fall Accidents

Property owners must maintain walkways and common areas free of tripping hazards, including cracked or uneven sidewalks, potholes in parking lots, torn or bunched carpeting, exposed electrical cords, poorly lit hallways and stairwells, and broken or missing handrails.

Inadequate Security

Property owners may be liable when inadequate security leads to criminal attacks, including assaults in parking garages with broken lighting, robberies at businesses without security cameras, apartment complex attacks due to broken locks or gates, hotel room break-ins, and attacks at bars and nightclubs.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Pool owners must comply with fencing requirements, maintain proper drain covers, provide adequate supervision, and ensure chemical levels are safe. Drowning and near-drowning incidents can result in catastrophic injuries or death.

Elevator and Escalator Accidents

Building owners must maintain elevators and escalators in safe working condition. Malfunctions can cause falls, crush injuries, and entrapment.

Proving a Premises Liability Claim

To succeed in a premises liability case, you must generally show that the property owner or occupier knew or should have known about the hazardous condition, failed to fix it or warn visitors about it, and the hazardous condition caused your injuries. Our attorneys have extensive experience gathering surveillance footage, maintenance records, inspection logs, and prior incident reports to prove these elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for premises liability in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for premises liability claims. New Jersey also allows two years, while New York allows three years. However, claims against government entities may have shorter notice deadlines as short as 90 days.

What if I was partially at fault for my fall?

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Our attorneys work to minimize any arguments of comparative fault.

Contact Our Premises Liability Attorneys

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, contact Siddons Law Firm at (610) 255-7500. Free consultation, no fees unless we win.

Premises Liability — Frequently Asked Questions

What does “premises liability” cover beyond slip and fall?: Premises liability covers any injury caused by an unsafe condition on someone else\u2019s property — slip and fall, negligent security (assault in a parking lot), dog attacks on rented property, swimming pool drownings, falling objects, broken stairs, inadequate lighting, and unsecured construction sites.
Does the property owner have to know about the danger?: Generally yes. The owner must have actual knowledge of the hazard, OR the hazard must have existed long enough that a reasonable owner should have known. Wet floors with no caution sign, ice that was never salted, or a broken stair the owner ignored are common examples.
What if I was a trespasser on the property?: Property owners owe trespassers very little duty in most states — but exceptions exist. Children attracted to dangerous conditions (“attractive nuisance”), known frequent trespassers, and intentional traps still produce viable claims.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim?: Pennsylvania and New Jersey: 2 years. New York and Maryland: 3 years. Claims against city, county, state, or federal property have much shorter notice deadlines — sometimes 60 to 90 days.
Will the property owner pay me out of pocket?: Almost never. Homeowner\u2019s insurance, business liability insurance, apartment-complex policies, and umbrella policies pay the claim. The owner remains insured.

Premises Liability Lawyers — PA, NJ, NY & MD