What Premises Liability Covers
Premises liability extends well beyond slip-and-falls. It includes injuries from negligent security (assaults that proper lighting or guards could have prevented), falling objects, swimming pool accidents, dog bites, fires, structural failures, and exposure to hazards. The common thread is a property owner who failed to maintain reasonably safe conditions.
Wisconsin's Duty of Care and Safe-Place Statute
Wisconsin owners owe a duty of reasonable care to those lawfully on their property. The safe-place statute (Wis. Stat. § 101.11) raises that duty for owners of public buildings and places of employment, requiring them to construct and maintain the premises as safely as the nature of the place reasonably permits. This statute often strengthens an injured visitor's claim.
Negligent Security Cases
When a property owner ignores a known risk of crime — failing to provide lighting, locks, or security in a high-risk area — and a visitor is assaulted, the owner may be liable for negligent security. These cases require showing the harm was foreseeable and that reasonable measures could have prevented it.
Building Your Claim
Premises cases turn on notice: did the owner know, or should they have known, about the danger. Evidence such as inspection records, prior complaints, surveillance footage, and maintenance histories is essential and time-sensitive. An attorney can move quickly to preserve it and build your case under Wisconsin law.
Injured in Wisconsin? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
A property owner's legal responsibility for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their property.
It applies to public buildings and places of employment and often raises the owner's duty of care.
Generally three years from the date of injury under Wisconsin law.
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.