New Orleans East Premises Liability Attorney

Holding Property Owners Accountable for Dangerous Conditions in New Orleans East

Property owners and businesses in New Orleans East have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. Premises liability claims arise when someone is injured because a property owner failed to correct a hazardous condition or failed to warn visitors about a known danger or a safety risk the property owner should reasonably have known about.



Donald D’Aunoy Jr. represents individuals injured on unsafe properties in New Orleans East, helping plaintiffs evaluate whether a property owner’s actions or lack of action may have contributed to their injury.

What Premises Liability Means Under Louisiana Law

Louisiana law generally requires property owners and businesses to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe for visitors. These cases can arise in many different situations, including:

• Slip and fall accidents: Wet floors, uneven walkways, or poorly maintained stairs.
• Unsafe building conditions: Broken railings, damaged flooring, or unstable structures.
• Falling objects: Merchandise, tools, or materials stored improperly.
• Poor lighting: Walkways, stairwells, or parking areas where hazards are difficult to see.
• Construction or maintenance hazards: Areas that are not clearly marked or secured during repairs.
• Poorly maintained parking areas: Potholes, uneven pavement, or poorly marked hazards.
• Negligent security: Situations where property owners fail to take reasonable precautions in areas where criminal activity may be foreseeable.

Determining whether a property owner may be liable for an injury often requires evaluating the condition of the property, how the hazard developed, and whether it was reasonable for the property owner to have discovered and addressed the danger.

When Property Owners May Be Legally Responsible for an Injury

Property owners are not automatically responsible for every injury that occurs on their premises. Liability typically depends on whether the owner failed to take reasonable steps to address a dangerous condition. To bring a successful claim, the plaintiff (the injured person) will need to present proof that a business or property owner failed to meet their duty of care.

This usually involves finding evidence that shows:

• A dangerous condition existed on the property: The hazard created an unreasonable risk of harm.
• The property owner knew or should have known about the condition: The danger existed long enough that it could reasonably have been discovered.
• The hazard was not repaired or properly addressed: The owner failed to correct the condition or warn visitors.
• The unsafe condition caused the injury: The hazard directly contributed to the accident.

These issues often require reviewing maintenance records, inspection practices, and how the property was managed before the injury occurred.

There are scenarios where a property owner may not be liable for injuries suffered on their property. For example, it may be difficult to bring a successful claim if a customer in a grocery store drops a gallon of water and then slips in the spill. In that scenario, it may not be reasonable to expect workers to have discovered and fixed the hazard before the injury occurred.

Likewise, if workers had put up a wet floor sign, but a customer didn’t see it because they were looking at their phone, it may be difficult to establish the business’s liability. The defense will argue that workers did take steps to address the hazard and the injured person failed to heed the warning.

These cases can be complicated, and the results often hinge on the quality of evidence a plaintiff’s legal team can find.

Evidence Often Needed to Prove a Premises Liability Claim

Evidence that may help establish liability includes:

• Photos of the dangerous condition: Images showing the hazard that caused the injury.
• Witness statements: Accounts from people who saw the accident or the unsafe condition.
• Incident reports: Documentation created by businesses or property managers.
• Surveillance footage: Security cameras that may capture the accident or the condition of the property.
• Maintenance or inspection records: Documents showing how the property was maintained.