Campus Parking Lots: Common But Risky Locations

All members of your campus community routinely use parking lots, exposing themselves to hazards that could exist daily. This report reviews lessons United Educators (UE) has learned from our many years handling parking lot-related claims.  

• Slips, trips, and falls; assaults; and vehicle damage are among the types of claims stemming from incidents in parking lots.
• Your institution has a duty of care, defined by state law, to safely maintain campus parking lots and promptly respond to known hazards and incidents.
• Routine inspection and maintenance can help avoid hazardous conditions and reduce the number of claims arising from parking lot usage.
• Many parking lot claims arise from snow and ice accumulation; prompt removal of these hazards is key to reducing liability.