What is notice in premises liability cases?

Notice in premises liability determines whether property owners knew or should have known about dangerous conditions triggering remediation duties. Actual notice occurs through direct knowledge from reports, complaints, observations, or prior incidents involving similar hazards. Constructive notice applies when conditions exist long enough that reasonable inspection would discover them. Time requirements vary by hazard type with liquid spills requiring quicker discovery than structural defects. Recurring conditions from business operations may create presumed notice without proving specific knowledge. Prior incidents demonstrate notice of dangerous patterns requiring preventive action. Employee knowledge imputes to owners through agency principles. Written documentation including maintenance logs and incident reports provides powerful notice evidence. Video surveillance may establish how long hazards existed before accidents. Weather conditions affect reasonable response times for natural accumulations. Mode of operation liability recognizes some business methods inherently create recurring hazards. Temporary conditions require less notice time than permanent hazards. Understanding notice requirements helps prove owners had opportunity to prevent injuries.