In New York City, dangerous property conditions can lead to injury for dozens of people each year. These conditions include uncleared snow, icy sidewalks, falling branches, aggressive animals, bad lighting and so forth. However there are other situations in which a person could be held financially accountable when someone is harmed on their property. One of these involves the murder or death of a victim at the hands of another person. When someone is attacked, that person or the family of the victim may have the option to file a premises liability lawsuit against the primary resident or owner.
A motion for a new trial in a California premises liability case has been denied and a woman has been ordered to pay a mother $400,000 for the murder of her son. The son was killed by his father, who was the boyfriend of the woman at the time. The fatal stabbing occurred in the home that the woman was apparently living in; it is unknown whether the father was also living there.
No information was given as to whether the woman was in the home at the time of the killing but a jury felt that she should be held financially responsible for her boyfriend’s actions. This seems to fall in line with a law that holds property owners responsible for the harm done to another person on the property, even though the woman was not the owner. When a fatal event occurs, it may be a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney about what the family’s legal options and rights are.
Source: The Sacramento Bee, “Jury’s award stands in damages over 2009 murder,” June 19, 2013