Poor lighting is one of the most overlooked causes of serious fall accidents. A dim stairwell, a burned-out light in a parkade, a shadowed walkway outside a business, or a poorly lit apartment entrance can turn an ordinary step into a dangerous hazard. In British Columbia, including Vancouver, a fall caused by poor lighting may give rise to a personal injury claim, but property owners are not automatically responsible just because someone got hurt.
The legal question is usually whether the person or company responsible for the premises took reasonable care to keep visitors reasonably safe. In BC, that issue is governed primarily by the Occupiers Liability Act, which says an occupier must take reasonable care in all the circumstances to see that people on the premises will be reasonably safe. The duty applies not only to the physical condition of the property, but also to activities on the … Continue reading
