Dallas weather can shift quickly. Sudden rainstorms, heavy downpours, and slick entryways are common throughout the year. While wet conditions may seem unavoidable, property owners still have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to protect visitors.
When businesses fail to address rain-related hazards properly, serious slip and fall injuries can occur. Under Texas premises liability law, injured individuals may have the right to pursue compensation if negligence played a role.
Are Property Owners Responsible for Rainwater?
One of the most common defenses in weather-related cases is that rainwater is a “natural condition.” However, property owners are not automatically shielded from liability simply because it was raining.
Courts typically examine whether the property owner took reasonable steps to reduce foreseeable risks, such as:
- Placing absorbent floor mats near entrances
- Using caution signs
- Mopping entryways regularly
- Ensuring proper drainage
- Installing slip-resistant flooring
If management ignored obvious hazards created by heavy foot traffic during a storm, liability may arise.
High-Risk Areas During Rainstorms
Rain-related accidents often occur in predictable locations.
Store Entrances
Retail stores, grocery markets, and shopping centers frequently experience water accumulation near doorways. Without adequate mats or timely cleaning, these areas can become dangerously slick.
Office Building Lobbies
Polished marble or tile floors in commercial buildings can become extremely slippery when wet. Building management should increase inspection frequency during inclement weather.
Apartment Complex Walkways
Exterior staircases, uncovered sidewalks, and breezeways can become hazardous during storms, especially if drainage systems are inadequate.
Parking Garages
Standing water, oil residue, and poor lighting in parking garages may create dangerous conditions during rainy weather.
Proving a Weather-Related Premises Liability Claim
To recover compensation, an injured person generally must establish:
- A dangerous condition existed.
- The property owner knew or should have known about it.
- Reasonable steps were not taken to address the hazard.
- The condition caused the injury.
In rain-related cases, foreseeability is often clear. Dallas businesses know that storms lead to water being tracked indoors. The key issue becomes whether they responded reasonably under the circumstances.
Surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and cleaning schedules may serve as important evidence.
The Role of Notice
Even during storms, property owners are not expected to eliminate every drop of water instantly. However, they are expected to monitor conditions and respond appropriately.
If a wet entryway remained unattended for an extended period without warning signs or cleanup, that may strengthen a claim.
Comparative Fault in Texas
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If an injured person is partially responsible—such as by ignoring visible warning signs—their compensation may be reduced proportionally. If they are more than 50% at fault, recovery may be barred.
Property owners often argue that wet conditions were obvious during rain. However, obviousness alone does not always eliminate liability, particularly if reasonable safety measures were lacking.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Rain-Related Falls
Slip and fall accidents during wet weather can lead to significant injuries, including:
- Fractured wrists or hips
- Torn ligaments
- Spinal injuries
- Concussions
- Shoulder damage
For older adults, falls can result in long-term mobility issues or extended rehabilitation.
Steps to Take After a Rain-Related Fall
If you are injured on someone else’s property during rainy conditions, consider:
- Seeking immediate medical care
- Reporting the incident to management
- Requesting a written incident report
- Photographing the wet area and surrounding conditions
- Identifying witnesses
Because businesses may clean the area quickly after an accident, early documentation is critical.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Weather-related premises liability cases often involve disputes about what constitutes “reasonable” action during a storm. Insurance companies may argue that rainwater is unavoidable and that the injured person assumed the risk.
A knowledgeable Dallas Premises Liability Attorney can evaluate whether the property owner implemented appropriate safety measures, preserved surveillance footage, and followed established inspection protocols.
Encouraging Safer Practices During Inclement Weather
Rainstorms are a predictable part of life in Dallas. Businesses and property owners who invite the public inside must anticipate weather-related hazards and respond accordingly.
When preventable injuries occur due to inadequate safety measures, accountability helps reinforce higher standards of care. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident during rainy weather, consulting a Dallas Premises Liability Attorney can help you understand your legal rights and determine your next steps.