Liability that every business owner has to worry about. There are a couple different kinds of liability, and how they might apply to your business situation. Let’s take a look and explore some points about each type of liability. 

Commercial

Business owners have a responsibility to their clients to keep their property safe and in good working order. If you invite someone to your business where the ceiling is falling down and the paint is chipping, not only will it make a bad first impression, but it may also become a safety hazard. Avoid lawsuits by keeping your property working. Repair fences, cracked pavement, loose walkways, rough railings, and any other outdoor hazards on the way into your office. Once inside, be sure that the plumbing is working correctly, if there are any stairs they are maintained properly, any carpets are tacked down to avoid tripping and mats are installed at all the entrances to avoid slipping. If regular inspections of the property are done, these safety hazards will be spotted and can be dealt with right away before they become a problem. 

Personal

When dealing with personal property, there are three main types of people who come on your property; trespassers, social guests, and invited business guests. Trespassers are those who are not wanted and not told to come on the property. Less liability lies with the property owner in this case because the trespasser is making the wrong decision. Social guests are not members of the business, but more like friends over for a visit. The property owner is obligated to tell them about any dangers that may be on the property, but once they have been warned, that generally frees the property owner from any liability. People who have been invited onto the property for business reasons get the highest level of protection. These clients should be handled with the most care possible and are a great reason to be sure that your property is in tip-top shape. 

Doesn’t Matter

Sometimes you can still face personal liability claims even if you think you are covered under your business. It depends on the situation and what has occurred. It is best to keep all of your bases covered and not depend too much on your business identity to protect you. In most cases, business owners are not responsible for things that a third party might do on their property that turns out to be dangerous, but you never know what kind of trouble is about to come your way. Better to be safe than sorry. 

If you’d like to learn more, Occupancy Solutions has a wealth of information to share with you. Check out our full listing, and give us a call so we can get you started to understanding everything about your business. We’d be happy to help!