Personal injury laws differ among the states, although most require that property, home and business owners take responsibility for maintaining a reasonable level of safety on their property or premises. Most states recognize the act of negligence, which can be an act of omission, such as failing to remove ice from a pathway, or an act of commission, such as blocking a walkway in such a way as to cause a danger. Negligence is often defined as the lack of a reasonable amount of care. In cases in which a personal injury is caused by negligence, the victim can generally claim damages from the negligent party, often the home, property or business owner. These damages often include medical expenses and compensation for loss of income and for pain and suffering. Many homeowners and most business owners carry liability insurance to protect them in the event that an injury occurs on their property. The laws concerning the time that is allowed to pass between the occurrence of an injury and the filing of a personal injury claim differ among the states.
