Legal Question in Personal Injury in Texas

Are Business Owners Liable for Damages if they do not keep up their property

You have never had this one before.

My business has been burglarized six straight days.

It turns out the homeless ,living behind the auto parts

have been burglarizing me.

I got angry. I went to the auto parts store (a chain)

and asked them to run the homeless people out of their

parking lot behind their building.

My questions are:

1. Does the property owner- the auto parts store- have

liability for negligence ,for allowing the homeless

to squat on their property?

2. Are they liable for enabling the homeless

access to my property and stealing over $ 8,000

worth of food, cellular phone, bench seats to

a passenger van, clothes and computer printer?

3. Is it the obligation of the property owner to

prevent trespassers from living on their property?

I do not want to report the incident to my insurance.

I have filed police reports.

I have cleaned up their parking lot and monitor

the area for homeless.

The store manager said he can't get them to leave.

The Corporate Office ,''sympathizes'' with me, but

can't give me monetary compensation.

I say...I can sue.

Do I have grounds.

Jim Hairston


Asked on 10/07/02, 10:26 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Paul T. Hebda, Ph.D., J.D. The Hebda Law Firm

Re: Are Business Owners Liable for Damages if they do not keep up their property

It appears that the auto business has caused a nuisance to you and your property and would be liable for damages that you have suffered. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this matter further.

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Answered on 10/10/02, 8:59 am
Brandon Manus Manus Law Office

Re: Are Business Owners Liable for Damages if they do not keep up their property

I believe there is liability on the part of the auto parts store. If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, please feel free to call me.

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Answered on 10/09/02, 12:03 pm
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: Are Business Owners Liable for Damages if they do not keep up their property

The auto chain is liable for bringing a nuisance to your property causing you damages. Call me if you want my assistance in this matter.

Jim Grissom

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Answered on 10/08/02, 8:28 am


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