Does Posting a Warning Sign Exclude a Property Owner from Injury Liability?

Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their property safe for any visitors, and this is why homeowners have to be knowledgeable about insurance and liability. If a home or business is unsafe due to the negligence of the property owner, and a person is injured, the property owner can be held liable for negligence.

Part of a property owner’s responsibility to keep their space safe includes posting warning signs to alert visitors of hazards. However, posting a sign does not necessarily exclude a property owner from liability if a person is injured. A sign must be visible and effective at preventing injury.

Is the Sign Visible and Effective?

A warning sign must be visible and legible in order to be effective. The action of simply posting a warning sign is not enough to exclude a property owner from liability; the property owner must also take steps to ensure the sign is well-lit and easy to understand.

How Dangerous is the Hazard?

Even if a sign is easy to see and understand, it may be ineffective at preventing injury if a hazard is especially dangerous. While signs can be effective at alerting visitors to dangers such as wet and slippery floors, a sign may not be as helpful if the danger is more serious. For more severe hazards, a property owner may need to take more substantial measures to prevent injury.

Was the Property Owner Negligent in Preventing the Hazard?

If a property owner was negligent and allowed unsafe conditions to remain at their home or business, posting a warning sign will do little to minimize their liability. Premises liability claims aim to hold negligent property owners accountable for failing to create a safe environment, and therefore causing injury to visitors. Even if a property owner does post a sign, this action could be evident of minimum effort on the behalf of the home or business owner to correct their negligence. If a property owner’s negligence caused you to sustain an injury, they can still be held liable for damages, regardless of whether they posted a sign warning of any dangers.

At The Groth Law Firm, S.C., we are dedicated to helping injury victims recover the compensation they deserve. We will help you understand the legal aspects of your case and will handle your claim with strong representation.

If you are interested in speaking with our legal team, send us a message or call (414) 768-2727 for a free consultation with our attorneys.