Office buildings across Dallas house corporate headquarters, medical practices, law firms, co-working spaces, and government agencies. Every day, employees, clients, vendors, and visitors move through lobbies, elevators, stairwells, and parking structures.
While these buildings are designed for professional use, they are not immune to safety hazards. When property owners or managers fail to maintain safe conditions, serious injuries can occur. In such cases, Texas premises liability law may provide a path to compensation.
Who Is Responsible for Office Building Safety?
Office properties often involve layered management structures. Responsibility may rest with:
- The building owner
- A property management company
- Maintenance contractors
- Security providers
- Individual commercial tenants
Determining who controlled the area where the injury occurred is a key step in evaluating liability. For example, a fall in a shared lobby may fall under building management, while a hazard inside a leased office suite may involve the tenant.
Common Hazards in Office Buildings
Although office environments appear low-risk, several recurring issues lead to injury claims.
Lobby and Hallway Slip Hazards
Polished floors, tracked-in rainwater, recently mopped surfaces, and loose mats can create slipping dangers—particularly during storms common in North Texas.
Elevator and Escalator Malfunctions
Office towers rely heavily on elevators. Sudden drops, leveling issues, door malfunctions, or maintenance failures can cause serious injuries. In some cases, maintenance companies may share responsibility.
Stairwell Dangers
Broken handrails, inadequate lighting, uneven steps, and cluttered emergency exits can increase the risk of falls. Stairwells must be properly maintained and well lit.
Parking Garage Risks
Many Dallas office buildings include structured parking. Poor lighting, deteriorating concrete, and malfunctioning security systems may create hazardous conditions.
Inadequate Security
In high-traffic commercial areas, security is a serious consideration. If there is a history of criminal activity and management fails to implement reasonable safety measures, injured victims may have grounds for a negligent security claim.
The Legal Standard Under Texas Law
To establish a premises liability claim, an injured individual generally must prove:
- A dangerous condition existed on the property.
- The responsible party knew or should have known about it.
- Reasonable steps were not taken to fix or warn about the hazard.
- The condition directly caused the injury.
Notice is often a central issue. Maintenance logs, cleaning schedules, inspection reports, and surveillance footage may help demonstrate whether management acted reasonably.
Office Employees vs. Visitors
When an employee is injured in a common area of an office building, the legal analysis can become more complex. Workers’ compensation coverage may apply if the employer subscribes to it. However, if a third party—such as a building owner or contractor—was responsible for the hazard, a separate premises liability claim may be possible.
Visitors who are not employees are typically treated as invitees and may pursue claims directly against the responsible property owner or manager.
Comparative Fault in Texas
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If the injured person is partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced proportionally. If they are more than 50% responsible, recovery may be barred.
Property managers often argue that hazards were open and obvious. Evaluating whether that defense applies requires careful examination of the facts.
Types of Compensation Available
Office building injuries can result in significant losses, especially if the injured person cannot return to work immediately.
Potential compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairment
Serious injuries such as fractures, back injuries, or traumatic brain injuries may require long-term care.
Steps to Take After an Office Building Injury
If you are injured in a Dallas office building, consider taking the following actions:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Report the incident to building management
- Request a written incident report
- Photograph the hazard if possible
- Gather witness contact information
Surveillance footage is often critical in commercial buildings, but it may not be retained indefinitely. Prompt action can help preserve important evidence.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Office building injury cases frequently involve commercial insurance policies and corporate defense teams. Identifying the correct defendant and establishing control over the hazardous area can be legally complex.
A knowledgeable Dallas Premises Liability Attorney can:
- Investigate ownership and management structures
- Preserve surveillance footage
- Review maintenance records
- Identify all liable parties
- Evaluate the full scope of damages
Early involvement often strengthens a claim and prevents avoidable mistakes.
Accountability in Commercial Spaces
Office buildings are designed to accommodate large numbers of people safely. When maintenance is neglected or security risks are ignored, preventable injuries occur.
Holding property owners accountable reinforces the importance of proper inspections, timely repairs, and proactive safety measures. If you have suffered harm due to unsafe conditions in an office building, consulting a Dallas Premises Liability Attorney can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action.
