Boston Premises Liability Lawyer – Helping Injury Victims Throughout Massachusetts
Dangerous hazardous conditions—from a slippery floor in a retail store to faulty wiring in apartment buildings—can cause serious injuries that leave an injured person facing steep medical bills and lost wages. Under Massachusetts law, property and business owners have a legal duty of care to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition and warn visitors about potential hazards. When they fail, our experienced Boston premises liability lawyer team at Gavagan Law, LLC fights to hold negligent property owners accountable and recover the fair compensation you deserve.
Do You Have a Premises Liability Claim?
If you were hurt because an owner of the property failed to take reasonable steps to fix or warn about an unsafe condition, you may have a viable premises liability lawsuit. Our legal team investigates a wide type of accident:
- Fall accidents: ice, uneven pavement, wet floor without signage
- Accidents due to building code violations
- Escalator accidents & elevator malfunctions
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Negligent security cases (assaults in garages, nightclubs)
- Porch collapses & structural failures
- Fires, electrocution, and carbon‑monoxide incidents
- Falling objects (marble slabs, store merchandise)
- Accidents in parking lots, amusement parks, and swimming pools
How Do You Win a Premises Liability Case in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts premises liability cases are built on the same four negligence elements every personal‑injury plaintiff must prove—but we present them here in client‑focused language so you can see exactly where Gavagan Law adds value.
- Duty of Care — Setting the Safety Bar
Every property owner, landlord, or store owner owes lawful visitors a reasonable duty to provide a safe environment. That includes regular inspections, prompt repairs, and clear warnings about potential hazards such as a wet floor or a broken stair. Courts have made it clear: if you’re invited in for business or social reasons, you’re owed the highest duty of care. - Breach of Duty — Spotting the Rule‑Breakers
A breach happens when owners ignore unsafe conditions—think inadequate lighting in a parking garage, unshoveled ice on walkways, or inadequate security measures that lead to an assault. Our investigators photograph the scene, secure maintenance logs, and interview witnesses to prove the owner knew or should have known about the danger. - Causation & Damages — Connecting the Dots
Next, we tie the hazardous condition directly to your serious injuries and losses. We compile medical records, hire safety engineers, and work with your doctors to link every medical expense, lost wage, and future treatment to the incident. - Comparative Fault — Protecting Your Share of Recovery
Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule: you can still recover as long as you are 50 percent or less at fault, but your award is reduced by your share of responsibility. We collect evidence and use surveillance, weather data, or industry‑safety standards—to keep any alleged fault off your shoulders and on the defendant’s.
Bottom line: Proving all four elements turns a premises liability claim into a winning premises liability lawsuit. Let our experienced Boston premises liability lawyer team gather the evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the fair compensation you deserve—on a contingency fee basis with a free consultation to get started.
Where Premises Liability Accidents Happen Most Often
- Grocery & Retail Store Aisles
Spilled liquids, toppled merchandise, and worn floor mats are classic hazards in Boston supermarkets, corner bodegas, and big‑box chains. - Shopping Malls, Parking Lots & Parking Garages
Oil slicks, potholes, poor lighting, and broken elevators/escalators put shoppers and social guests at risk the moment they step out of the car. - Apartment Buildings & Rental Complexes
Landlords who ignore loose handrails, faulty smoke alarms, or icy entryways breach their legal duty of care to tenants and visitors alike. - Hotels, Restaurants & Entertainment Venues
Slippery marble lobbies, wet dance floors, and inadequate security measures can quickly turn a night out into an emergency‑room visit. - Construction Sites & Other Workplaces
Unguarded holes, live electrical wires, and falling debris threaten both workers and passers‑by on premises open for business purposes. - Amusement, Inflatable & Water Parks
Defective rides, slippery pool decks, and untrained staff create fertile ground for catastrophic injuries and even wrongful‑death claims. - Private Sidewalks and Walkways
Cracked pavement, snow and ice, and uneven slabs cause countless falls across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, and Plymouth Counties.
If you were hurt in any of these locations, a Boston premises liability lawyer at Gavagan Law can investigate, pinpoint the responsible party, and pursue the fair compensation you deserve.
Typical Hazards That Trigger Premises Liability Claims
- Ice‑Covered Sidewalks & Snow Buildup
Failure to shovel, sand, or salt walkways violates the owner’s duty to keep approaches in a reasonably safe condition and is a leading cause of winter fall accidents across Boston and the suburbs. - Slippery Floors From Spills or Mopping
Unmarked wet floor spots in a supermarket, restaurant, or office lobby create instant slip risks. “Caution” cones and prompt cleanup are mandatory; when they’re missing, the owner is on the hook. - Inadequate Lighting in Stairwells & Parking Garages
Dim or burned‑out bulbs hide trip hazards, broken steps, and lurking assailants—fuel for both fall cases and negligent security cases. - Broken Stairs, Loose Treads & Missing Handrails
Stairway defects routinely breach building‑code requirements and expose landlords, hotels, and retail store operators to strict liability under M.G.L. c. 143 § 51. - Exposed Wiring & Other Electrical Hazards
Uncovered junction boxes, frayed cords, or faulty outlets can cause shocks, burns, or even fatal fires—turning a simple maintenance lapse into a high‑value premises liability lawsuit. - Inadequate Security Measures
Broken locks, unmonitored entrances, or absent security staff invite assaults and theft, allowing injured victims to pursue the property owner for fair compensation. - Falling Merchandise, Ceiling Tiles, or Construction Debris
Poor stacking in big‑box stores, neglected ceiling maintenance, or overhead work without barriers often sends objects crashing down on shoppers and social guests, causing head and neck injuries.
Encountered one of these unsafe conditions? Contact Gavagan Law for a free consultation—our premises liability attorneys will preserve evidence, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
Third‑Party & Contractor Liability — Uncovering Every Responsible Party
In many premises liability cases, the blame doesn’t end with the landowner or landlord. Our investigation often reveals that a third‑party contractor created—or failed to correct—the unsafe conditions that led to your injury. Holding all wrongdoers accountable dramatically increases the pool of insurance coverage and the size of your potential recovery.
- Snow & Ice‑Removal Companies
Missed salting routes, incomplete shoveling, or late‑night plow jobs that leave ridges of refrozen ice can shift liability from the property owner to the snow contractor—and its million‑dollar policy. - Janitorial & Floor‑Care Services
Custodians who ignore wet floor spills, skip caution cones, or leave mops dripping in store aisles are prime defendants in fall accidents. - Security Vendors & Alarm Companies
Broken cameras, unlocked doors, or false‑alarm shutdowns can make security firms liable for assaults, thefts, or negligent security cases. - Maintenance & Elevator Contractors
Lax inspection of elevators, escalators, HVAC systems, and lighting creates hazardous conditions that injure guests daily. - Landscaping & Construction Crews
Uncovered trenches, falling debris, or poorly stacked materials put passers‑by at risk—and place liability squarely on subcontractors and general contractors.
By naming every responsible party—and every relevant insurance company—Gavagan Law maximizes your leverage for a full, fair settlement. We subpoena service contracts, work orders, and maintenance logs to prove each defendant’s role and build the strong case you need for financial compensation.
Common Premises Liability Injuries
- Sprains, fractures, and dislocations
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal‑cord damage and herniated discs, nerve damage
- Severe burns and electrical shock injuries
- Scarring, disfigurement, and wrongful death claims
Compensation You Can Seek
- Medical bills & future treatment
- Lost wages & reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, emotional distress
- Property damage
- Wrongful‑death benefits for surviving family
What to Do After an Accident
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report the incident to the owner, property manager, or insurance company rep.
- Photograph the dangerous condition and gather witness info.
- Preserve any evidence surrounding the accident
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Gavagan Law for a free legal consultation.
Massachusetts Statute of Limitations
- 3 years to file most personal injury cases.
- 2 years presentment if a city, town, or the MBTA is involved.
Missing a deadline can bar your legal action—act quickly.
Why Choose Gavagan Law for your Premises Liability Accident?
- Years of experience handling complex premises liability cases statewide
- Strong case strategies backed by engineers and safety experts
- Contingency fee basis—no cost unless we win
- Local knowledge of courts in Boston and throughout massachusetts
- Personalized service—call, text, or use our contact form for an initial consultation
Massachusetts Premises Liability Lawyer — Areas We Serve
- Greater Boston & Suffolk County
- Boston (Back Bay, South End, Roxbury, Dorchester), Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, Brookline
- North Shore & Essex County
- Salem, Lynn, Lawrence, Haverhill, Beverly
- Metro West & Middlesex County
- Framingham, Natick, Marlborough, Waltham
- South Shore & Plymouth County
- Brockton, Plymouth, Hingham, Hanover
- Cape Cod, Fall River & Beyond
Request Your Free Consultation Today
Call or fill out our secure contact form to speak with a dedicated premises liability lawyer about your rights. We’ll explain the legal process, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.