Sandin v. USD 500 Kansas City, Kansas

**Worker Injured at Workplace, But Landlord Not Responsible** This case involved a worker who was injured in a slip-and-fall accident at New Boulevard Baking Co. The accident happened because of a leaky roof that made the floor slippery and dangerous. Instead of suing only their employer, the injured worker also sued Hill Creek Farms, Inc., the company that owned the building where they worked. The court ruled in favor of the building owner, finding they were not responsible for the worker's injuries. The judge determined that the lease agreement between the building owner and New Boulevard Baking Co. clearly stated that the tenant (the baking company) was responsible for all building repairs and maintenance. Since the landlord had given up control of the property to the tenant, they couldn't be held liable for the dangerous conditions. **What this means for workers:** If you're injured at work due to unsafe building conditions, you may only be able to seek compensation from your employer, not the building owner. Property owners who lease buildings to employers can often avoid liability if their lease agreements place repair responsibilities on the tenant. This highlights the importance of workplace safety enforcement by employers.