The TopGolf verdict is a prime example of negligent design in a premise liability case.
Golfing with children, safety first.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is the body of law that holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe or defective conditions.
Common examples include:
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Slip and fall accidents from unmarked hazards.
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Negligent security leading to assaults.
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Unsafe design or failure to maintain equipment at recreational venues.
To succeed, injured parties usually must show:
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The property owner owed a duty of care.
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The owner breached that duty by failing to maintain safe conditions or warn about dangers.
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The breach directly caused injury.
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The injured party suffered damages.
The Topgolf verdict is a textbook example—jurors decided that relying on painted lines rather than barriers was an unreasonable design choice that directly led to a child’s injury.
