When you’re injured in a slip and fall or another accident on someone else’s property, one of the first questions that comes up is: Who is responsible—the property owner, the tenant, or both?

In Connecticut, liability often depends on who had control of the property at the time of the accident.

The General Rule in Connecticut

The party that controls and maintains the property is generally responsible for keeping it reasonably safe. This could be:

• A property owner
• A business tenant
• A landlord or property management company
• Or even multiple parties at the same time

Courts typically ask: Who had the power to prevent the dangerous condition?

When the Property Owner Is Responsible

Owners may be liable when they:

• Control the area where the accident occurred
• Fail to maintain common areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, or lobbies
• Know about a dangerous condition but do nothing to fix it

Example: If you trip on a broken stair in an apartment building lobby, the landlord or owner is usually responsible because tenants don’t control common spaces.

When the Tenant Is Responsible

Tenants, especially businesses, are usually responsible for their leased spaces.

Example: If you slip on a spilled drink inside a coffee shop, the tenant—not the landlord—is typically liable for failing to maintain safety inside their business.

When Both Owner and Tenant May Be Liable

Sometimes responsibility overlaps.

Example: A leaking pipe in a restaurant ceiling causes water to pool inside the restaurant and in a mall hallway. Both the tenant and the mall owner may share liability.

The Role of Property Management Companies

Many landlords hire management companies to oversee maintenance, snow removal, and inspections. If these companies fail to do their jobs properly, they can also be held responsible.

How Lawyers Identify the Right Party

Attorneys investigate to determine liability by reviewing:

• Lease agreements between owners and tenants
• Maintenance and snow removal contracts
• Property ownership records
• Accident and incident reports

This ensures all potentially responsible parties are included in the lawsuit.

Why Naming the Right Parties Matters

If you sue the wrong party, your claim could be delayed or dismissed. Naming all potentially liable parties:

• Maximizes your recovery chances
• Ensures no responsible party is overlooked
• Increases negotiation leverage with multiple insurers

Connecticut Example

If you slip on ice in a strip mall parking lot:

• The landlord may be responsible for the lot
• The property management company may be liable if they failed to supervise snow removal
• The snow removal contractor may be liable if the work was done improperly

A lawyer would likely pursue claims against all three, letting evidence determine fault.

Protect Yourself

In Connecticut, premises liability cases depend on who had control of the property. Sometimes it’s the owner, sometimes the tenant, and sometimes both—along with management companies or contractors.

If you’ve been injured in a premises liability accident, the attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP can help investigate, identify all responsible parties, and fight for your compensation.

Call us today at (203) 438-7450 for a free consultation, or visit catherinev2.sg-host.com to learn more about protecting your case.