Commercial Landlord Liability for Personal Injury Expanded In Massachusetts
By David White
In a case of first impression, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled today that the provisions of G.L. c. 186, § 19 apply to commercial leases, and accordingly, a commercial property owner may be liable for personal injuries on the premises after receiving notice of a defect of proper repairs are not made. The property owner may be liable even if the tenant is in possession of the entire premises, if the injury is not in a common area, and if the tenant is responsible for repairs under the lease.
The plaintiff operated a tanning salon in a single-story building which she leased from the defendant real estate trust. In 2000, the plaintiff sent a certified letter to the trustees complaining of leaks and cracks in the ceilings around the skylights. She was injured when she was struck in the eye by falling plaster; she fell and suffered injuries.
At the close of the evidence in the trial the Superior Court judge granted the defendant’s motion for a directed verdict. The judge ruled that G.L. c. 186, § 19 only applied to residential leases; that the plaintiff had not contracted for repairs; and that there was no gross negligence in the previous gratuitous repairs of the roof. The plaintiff appealed.
The SJC reversed. The court found § 19 did apply to commercial premises, provided the landlord has received written notice of the unsafe condition.
The case is Bishop v. TES Realty Trust, SJC-10696 (March 1, 2011).
To read more about this case, please see our the article on our website: Commercial Liability Expanded by Recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Ruling.
Premises Liability Claims in Massachusetts
Premises Liability Claims in Massachusetts
The attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck, PC are experienced in handling premises liability cases arising from accidents on commercial and residential properties. If you would like to discuss a personal injury or premises liability case you may have, the initial consultation is free. Please call us at 800-379-1244. We look forward to helping you.