03 Jul The Legal Consequences of Ignoring a Broken Door

A squeaky hinge. A cracked frame. A door that doesn’t close quite right. It’s easy to ignore these small issues—until someone gets hurt.

What many property owners don’t realize is that a broken or poorly maintained door isn’t just an inconvenience—it can be a serious safety hazard. If an injury occurs because of that faulty door, the property owner could face a personal injury lawsuit under premises liability law.

Let’s explore how something as ordinary as a broken door can lead to legal consequences—and how you can prevent it.

What Can Go Wrong with a Broken Door?

A door in poor condition can cause injuries in several ways:

• Slamming shut unexpectedly due to broken hinges or misaligned frames
• Falling off its hinges if it’s loose or not properly mounted
• Tripping hazards from warped thresholds or uneven doorways
• Pinched fingers in cracked or splintered frames
• Cuts or lacerations from broken glass panes or sharp edges
• Failure to open during emergencies, leading to entrapment

In both residential and commercial spaces, these issues can be the source of preventable accidents.

Premises Liability: When Property Owners Are Held Responsible

Under premises liability law, property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. If a guest, tenant, employee, or customer is injured due to a hazard the property owner knew about—or should have known about—and failed to fix, they may be held liable.

If someone is injured by a door that was obviously broken or hazardous, and the owner did nothing to address it, that can be considered negligence.

This applies to:

• Homeowners

• Landlords and property managers

• Business owners and commercial property operators

Real-World Example

A landlord receives a maintenance request from a tenant about a loose balcony door that doesn’t latch properly. The repair is delayed. A week later, the door slams shut in high wind, injuring the tenant’s hand. The result? A premises liability claim—and potential compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Common Legal Consequences for Ignoring a Door Hazard

If a court determines that a property owner’s inaction caused or contributed to the injury, consequences may include:

• Medical expense reimbursement
• Lost wage compensation
• Pain and suffering damages
• Legal fees and court costs
• Increased insurance premiums
• Code violation penalties (if the property was non-compliant)

In rental or commercial properties, failure to address a door hazard can also lead to code enforcement action or tenant legal complaints.

How to Prevent a Broken Door From Becoming a Lawsuit

• Inspect doors regularly for signs of wear, misalignment, or hardware failure
• Address complaints quickly, especially from tenants or staff
• Use quality materials—doors, frames, and hardware should be durable and up to code
• Hire licensed professionals for installation and repairs
• Upgrade glass doors with tempered or laminated safety glass
• Maintain emergency exits and fire-rated doors to ensure they operate properly

Proactive door maintenance is far more affordable than dealing with a lawsuit after an injury.

Ignoring a broken door may seem harmless—until it causes harm. Whether you own a home, manage a rental, or operate a business, keeping entryways in safe condition is part of your legal duty.

Don’t wait until an injury occurs to take action.
A quick repair today could save you from major legal and financial consequences tomorrow.

Safe doors protect people—and they protect you from liability.