Having a customer injured on one of your business premises is a nightmare, especially if said customer decides to sue your business with the help of a personal injury and wrongful death attorney. However, while there is no way to prevent customers from trying to sue you, there are ways to make sure you're not liable for the damage they suffered.

This guide will go over how you can protect your business from a premises liability lawsuit. In the process, this guide will also help you make your business premises as safe as they can be.

Step #1 - Get a safety inspection

A good way to start limiting premises liability is by hiring a professional inspector. Your insurance company will likely have an inspector on staff, or they can recommend you someone. Said inspector can check your premises and give you point-by-point feedback on how you can make the place safer.

Hiring an inspector and implementing their suggestions achieves two goals. It will make the premises safer, of course, but it will also show that you put time and effort into taking reasonable measures to make your premises as safe as possible.

Proving an injury occurred isn't enough to win a premises liability lawsuit — the plaintiff has to prove the owner of the premises was negligent. And showing proof of the inspection and the changes implemented is a good way to defend yourself against claims of negligence.

Step #2 - Talk to a law firm

On top of getting an inspection, you can also consult with a law firm to learn more about reducing your liability. As the Law Office of Katherine R. Moore website shows, many law firms have experience defending businesses from personal injury claims.

An attorney can give you tips an inspector might not consider, such as what type of signage you should have to promote safety around the premises, what kind of documentation you should be keeping to help you build a defense later, etc.

Step #3 - Keep an eye on tripping hazards

Your business should, of course, have a regular cleaning schedule and a wet floor sign, and all the basics expected from a space that is open for public visitation. However, one thing that is harder to control is tripping hazards. From power cables to dropped merchandise and even items left behind by other customers — your employees should be trained to constantly scan for and remove objects that may cause trips or slips.

Remember: even if you are not liable, having a customer seriously injured on your premises is still terrible for PR. It's better to be safe than sorry.