PREMISES LIABILITY RISKS FOR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
Allowing individuals to inhabit your property exposes you to several liabilities, many of which vary in severity depending on state and local laws. Consider the following, and work with INSURICA to develop an appropriate risk management plan.
Habitability
In many cases, and especially if you are receiving public funding, you are responsible for maintaining certain standards of habitability for those staying on your property. It is important to be familiar with all local codes, including fire codes, health codes, tax codes and electrical codes. Requirements may include the following:
- Structurally sound buildings
- Sanitary conditions
- Clean water supply
- Adequate air quality
- Sufficient space and security for each occupant
- Lack of lead-based paint hazards
- A certain number of smoke detectors
Premises Liability
If a visitor to your shelter suffers harm from unsafe or unhealthy conditions, and subsequently decides to sue you, you could be held negligent and be responsible for damages. As a property owner, you are legally responsible for preventing visitors from being injured or sickened on your property—this is called reasonable care. When someone is injured on your property as a result of your failure to repair or warn him or her about a danger on the property, you are liable for damages. The extent to which you are liable depends on case history in each state.
Protecting your organization from this exposure could comprise a variety of actions:
- Proper warning. For some hazards, a simple posting can satisfy your legal duty.
- If you are able to predict something that could cause sickness or injuries—for example, a bad water heater, a faulty furnace or other hazards—prevent those problems from hurting those staying on your property by fixing problems immediately and maintaining the facility properly.
- Taking precautions against careless or criminal conduct on the part of a third party. This may include hiring security or installing security systems, gates or fences.
Work with Us
Examine your organization, and determine which preventive measures are appropriate to protect against liability. It is important to remember that the degree to which you could be held liable is largely dependent on your jurisdiction and the outcome of past cases.
In addition to taking necessary preventive steps, work with INSURICA to ensure that you have purchased sufficient liability insurance that will cover you in the event of a claim.
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
Trump Administration Reshapes Health Plan Oversight
The Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders aimed at recalibrating federal oversight of employer-sponsored health plans. These directives target unpublished rules and agency enforcement priorities, signaling a shift toward deregulation and increased flexibility for plan sponsors.
Compliance Update: Gag Clause Attestations, Contraceptive Coverage Ruling, and SF Ordinance Impacts
As Q4 begins, benefits managers face a trio of compliance developments with implications for plan design, documentation, and year-end filings. Two are federal in scope, while one local ordinance continues to affect employers nationwide.
Benefits Administration Update: MLR Rebates, Texas SB 1332, and Year-End Priorities
As the final quarter of 2025 begins, several developments in benefits administration are reshaping how employers manage compliance, coverage, and communications. From rebate distribution rules to state-level legislation, benefits managers should take note of key updates that may affect plan operations and documentation heading into year-end.