Landowners in Jackson, NJ, are legally obligated to maintain safe conditions on their properties. Common hazards like icy walkways or exposed electrical wiring pose a significant risk and can cause serious injuries. Premises liability law holds property owners accountable for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their premises. If a negligent property owner creates or fails to fix known hazards, they can be financially responsible for injuries to guests. If you have suffered an injury on someone else’s property, a Jackson premises liability lawyer from Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help you pursue legal action and seek financial recovery for your medical expenses and other losses.
We collectively have decades of legal experience in personal injury cases and have recovered tens of millions for those who have sustained injuries due to negligent or irresponsible landowners. Property owners have a legal duty to protect their guests’ safety, and our team can hold landowners accountable who shirk that obligation and cause injury.
Contact our law firm today or call (973) 364-8300 for a case consultation with a personal injury attorney in Jackson, NJ.
Examples of Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability requires property owners in Jackson to make reasonable efforts to make their properties safe for guests. If the property owner knows about a specific hazard, they must either fix/remove it or post warnings to notify visitors. When they fail to fix or secure hazards, they can be held liable for subsequent injuries.
Below are some hypothetical scenarios in which the injury victim could potentially pursue a premises liability claim:
- A pedestrian slips on an icy patch in a business parking lot, suffering spinal cord injuries as a result of the fall.
- An unsecured crate in a warehouse falls off a shelf and strikes a customer in the head, causing a concussion.
- A construction crew fails to fence off a hole, and a passerby falls in while walking at night.
- A landlord fails to respond to electrical maintenance requests, and faulty wiring electrocutes a tenant.
- A property owner lets their large dog off leash, and it jumps on a guest, causing scratching wounds.
- A guest injures themselves in a hotel swimming pool accident due to insufficient warning about shallow water.
- An escalator accident caused by a lack of proper maintenance or malfunctioning safety features, resulting in serious injury to users.
- A concert venue fails to implement proper crowd control procedures, and a concertgoer suffers injuries from overcrowding. Inadequate security measures and broken security components can contribute to such incidents.
- A trespasser breaks into a tenant’s apartment and assaults them, leading to a negligent security claim against the landlord for failing to prevent criminal acts.
- A visitor is assaulted outside a residential property with poor lighting and no cameras, resulting in injuries.
- A restaurant employee fails to put up a wet floor sign after mopping, causing a customer to slip and fall. Restaurant owners may be held liable, as this is a common restaurant liability issue.
These are just some types of premises liability cases. Property owners neglect or failure to act can lead to financial compensation for the injured party.
In each of the above instances, the injury was caused by the property owner’s negligence and a violation of reasonable conduct in maintaining safe premises. If you suffered in similar unsafe conditions, a Jackson premises liability lawyer from our law firm will help you seek compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses. We work to hold at-fault parties accountable, especially when severe injuries result from these incidents.
Legal Elements of a Premises Liability Claim in Jackson
Most premises liability claims in New Jersey are negligence actions, meaning the property owner failed to exercise a reasonable level of care. To make a successful negligence claim, the injured victim must show:
- The property owner owed the victim a duty of care (Duty)
- The property owner violated that duty, whether through action or inaction (Violation)
- The violation caused the victim’s injuries (Causation)
In other words, legal responsibility in premises liability claims boils down to whether the landowner’s negligence caused the victim’s injuries. Determinations of negligence are usually based on an understanding of what a reasonable person would do in similar circumstances surrounding the incident. It’s not enough that the landowner actually caused the injury. They must have also specifically violated some standard of reasonable behavior when they caused it. An in-depth knowledge of premises liability law is essential for evaluating whether a property owner’s actions meet the required legal standards.
Actual vs. Constructive Notice in Premises Liability Claims
To demonstrate legal responsibility in most premises liability cases, it is sufficient to show that the landowner had actual notice of the hazard – i.e., they actually knew about it. However, proving a landowner’s actual knowledge about a specific danger can be tricky. You would need evidence like communication records or maintenance reports showing the owner’s explicit recognition of the hazard. Establishing what the property owner knew is crucial, and this can often be supported by evidence such as witness statements.
As such, it is often enough to show that the property owner had constructive notice of the hazard. A property owner has constructive notice of a hazard if they would have known about the hazard if they had exercised reasonable diligence. In other words, one has constructive notice when a reasonable individual in the same situation would have discovered the danger.
For instance, imagine a Jackson business owner neglects annual required building inspections. Later, a structural defect causes the floor to collapse, injuring a customer. In this case, the business owner could be liable even though they did not have explicit knowledge of the flooring defect. They are liable because they should have known and would have known if they had not neglected their duty to inspect.
Comparative Negligence and Premises Liability Accidents in New Jersey
Liability is a two-way street in premises liability cases in New Jersey. As a visitor, you also have a duty to act prudently while on the property and to preserve your safety. If you neglect this duty, you can share liability for your injuries, which can impact the amount of any final settlement.
New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws work by reducing final compensation according to the percentage of fault you bear. As long as you are less than 51 percent at fault, you can still recover compensation. It will just be less than the amount you would receive if you did not bear fault. The structure of this system necessitates working with an experienced attorney who can minimize your liability to maximize compensation.
FAQs About Premises Liability in Jackson
Premises liability can be a complex topic, so we’ve answered common questions below. Contact our New Jersey premises liability attorney today for a free initial consultation.
Can I File a Claim If I Tripped Outside a Business in Jackson?
The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that businesses are responsible for reasonably maintaining public sidewalks and walking paths surrounding their commercial lots (see Alejandra Padilla v. Young Il An (2024)). So, yes, if you trip outside of a business in Jackson because of negligent walkway maintenance, you could potentially file a lawsuit. Commercial property owners must maintain walkways even if the lot is vacant and no business activity is occurring there.
What Should I Do Right After a Fall Injury in Jackson, NJ?
Seek medical attention immediately. After receiving necessary emergency medical attention, your first priority should be documenting the accident scene. Take photos of your injuries and the environment, noting features that caused the fall. You should also get the contact information of any eyewitnesses in case you need them to make a statement. Contact the property owner and get their insurance information. You may also need to follow up with the property owner’s insurance company as part of the claims process.
Next, see a doctor about your injuries and get copies of relevant medical documentation. The more evidence you have concerning your injuries, the better. You can then speak to a personal injury attorney from our law firm about filing a claim. They can guide you through the legal process and represent you in negotiations or litigation.
Is the Legal Process for Injury Claims Different for Public vs. Private Property in Jackson?
Yes, the process differs for claims involving public vs. private property. With public property, the owner is usually a government entity, and the rules for suing the government are different. Claimants must first file a notice of claim with the relevant government entity within 90 days of the injury date or injury discovery date (NJSA 59:8-8). Once the entity receives the notice, there is a six-month waiting period. After that, you can file a claim in the appropriate court. If you miss the 90-day filing deadline, the state could permanently bar you from recovering compensation against them.
How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Jackson, NJ?
NJSA 2A:14-2 puts a two-year time limit on all personal injury lawsuits, premises liability lawsuits included. After two years, any legal claim for damages will expire. There are some exceptions that can extend the deadline, such as injuries to minors or cases where the offender flees the state. However, most cases will fall under the two-year deadline, so it’s best to start as early as possible. Speak with a Jackson premises liability lawyer to protect your rights.
Contact Our Jackson Premises Liability Attorneys Today
If you’ve been hurt due to unsafe property conditions, such as a slip and fall accident, it’s important to consult a premises liability lawyer. Jackson, NJ, is home to several trusted legal experts in this field.
The Jackson personal injury attorneys at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers have recovered over $500 million for injured clients and collectively have decades of legal experience. Some of our largest settlements have been for premises liability claims, including a $3.6 million and a $3.2 million settlement for slip and fall injuries. Our Jackson premises liability attorneys understand the laws around property owner liability and are ready to pursue your claim confidently.
We also work on a contingency basis, meaning we only take a fee if we win your case. With this arrangement, you can secure an experienced legal team without worrying about the stress of upfront payment. We promise to leave no stone unturned and will utilize every available legal strategy to recover your losses.
Contact us online for a free consultation or reach out by phone at (973) 364-8300 to speak to a Jackson personal injury lawyer from our law firm about your premises liability case. We operate several offices around the state and can schedule a meeting at a location convenient for you. Our Jackson premises liability lawyers look forward to hearing your story and helping you understand and pursue your next steps after a premises liability accident.
Written by: Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Last Updated : August 4, 2025We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
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