1 The Homeowner
A homeowner has a duty to ensure that the premises is safe before inviting visitors by eliminating obvious hazards. Part of this duty includes making sure that the deck was not in a state of disrepair, or was sturdy enough to handle all the people that were going to be on it.
2 A Builder
A builder can be held liable for injuries if the deck did not comply with building codes or it was incorrectly constructed.
3 A Property Management Association
The managing company of an apartment complex or another building may be held liable for lapses in maintenance that caused a deck to collapse.
4 A Local Authority
If decks at a public housing complex or a civic building collapse, a local authority could bear the responsibility.