Premises Liability vs. Slip and Fall: What’s the Difference?
Premises Liability vs. Slip and Fall: What’s the Difference?
Premises liability and slip and fall cases are often discussed interchangeably, but they are not the same. While they are closely related, the difference lies in scope. If you or a loved one was injured on someone else’s property in St. Louis, knowing the difference between these terms can help you better understand your legal options.
At The Khouri Law Firm, we assist clients throughout the St. Louis area with a wide range of injury claims, including both premises liability and slip and fall matters.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a broad legal concept that holds property owners or occupiers responsible for injuries that occur due to unsafe conditions on their property. This can include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Poor lighting in stairwells
- Faulty handrails
- Dog bites
- Inadequate security leading to assault
- Falling objects
- Swimming pool accidents
The key issue in a premises liability case is whether the property owner knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to correct it or warn visitors.
What Is a Slip and Fall?
Slip and fall accidents are a specific type of premises liability case. These typically involve someone slipping, tripping, or falling due to:
- Wet floors
- Icy sidewalks
- Loose carpeting or rugs
- Uneven pavement
In these cases, it must be shown that the hazardous condition existed, that the property owner had notice (or should have had notice), and that they did not take reasonable steps to address it.
How Are the Two Different?
Think of it this way: all slip and fall cases are premises liability claims, but not all premises liability cases are slip and falls. Slip and falls are a common subset of a larger category. Premises liability covers a wide variety of injury scenarios occurring on someone else’s property.
Understanding this difference is important because it affects the type of evidence needed and the way your case may be approached in court.
Do You Need Legal Help After a Property Injury in St. Louis?
If you've been injured due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property—whether it involved a slip and fall or another hazard—you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At The Khouri Law Firm, we help individuals in St. Louis navigate their personal injury claims with clarity and care. We know how to investigate unsafe property conditions and build strong cases for our clients.
