Accidents can happen in everyday places, like apartment complexes, stores, or workplaces. But, injuries can be preventable. When dangerous conditions are left unaddressed, the consequences may be serious for those who are hurt. In such cases, California law provides a pathway for injured individuals to seek compensation for any losses incurred.

Premises liability claims may be filed when property owners fail to properly maintain their territory, allowing a dangerous environment to persist. Whether the situation consisted of a slip and fall, tripping hazard, or other unsafe conditions, victims may be entitled to take legal action to recover damages.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced Glendale premises liability attorneys bring over two decades of personal injury practice and more than $1.7 billion dollars in successful recoveries, ensuring your case is handled with skill and diligence. By establishing a personalized approach, we will make sure your legal needs are taken care of and your case is given the attention it deserves.

We represent clients on a contingency-fee basis, meaning no upfront fees are required and payment is only due if we obtain a recovery. To get started with your case, you can reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick online contact form.

Why Do Clients Rely on Us?

Our firm is determined to protect your best interests and help you seek full compensation when property owners neglect their responsibilities. If an owner did not maintain a safe environment and the hazards on the premises caused you to sustain an injury, we will step in to look into your legal options under premises liability law to ensure you are given the justice you deserve.

What Is a Premises Liability Claim?

When a property owner fails to ensure their premises are safe and a guest is injured as a result, a premises liability claim may be filed. Owners have a duty to warn visitors of known hazardous conditions. If a property owner did not alert guests to a known risk or remedy an unsafe environment, you could have legal grounds to recover damages for injuries resulting from their negligence.

What Are Common Premise Liability Claims?

Premises liability claims are initiated when a person is hurt on someone else’s property because of unsafe conditions. Some of the most common types of claims include: slip and falls, dog bites, unsafe property conditions, negligent security, and swimming pool accidents.

Slip and Falls

Certain factors can contribute to a slip and fall case, such as:

• Wet floors
• Uneven surfaces
• Loose carpeting
• Broken stairs
• Poor lighting

Tripping hazards, like exposed cords and cracks in walkways, are other contributing factors.
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, like broken bones, sprains, or head trauma. Even seemingly minor hazards have the ability to inflict bodily harm, especially for older adults or those with limited mobility.

Dog Bite

Property owners who own pets have a legal duty to protect guests from known dangers posed by animals on their territory. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent a dog from attacking someone, like installing proper fencing, leashing, or supervision. Having little to no care to fulfill such legal obligations can lead to liability when a person is bitten even if the dog has no prior history of aggression. In Glendale, strict liability rules may apply, meaning that owners will be held liable for injuries caused by their pets.

Unsafe Conditions

Premises liability claims may be filed if a person is injured after encountering unsafe conditions a property owner failed to address properly. Such an environment can occur in various settings, including:

• Construction sites
• Parking lots
• Apartment complexes
• Office buildings in downtown Glendale
• Shopping centers, like the Glendale Galleria or the Americana at Brand

In each area, property owners are given a legal duty to maintain their premises and take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. If they are unable to fulfill these obligations, injured individuals may be entitled to pursue fair compensation for the losses they suffered from the incident.

Negligent Security

This type of issue normally occurs in business buildings and apartments. If security personnel are not carefully observing what is going on inside or outside the building, dangerous situations may occur. This includes robbery, assault, or unwanted guests entering the facility.

Swimming Pool Accident

Pool owners must maintain their property and ensure it is safely enclosed to prevent accidents. Certain hazards can trigger serious injuries. For instance, missing warnings or slippery surfaces. Even though California does not strictly follow the traditional ‘attractive nuisance’ doctrine, courts may hold property owners responsible when these conditions inflict harm.

Common Injuries in Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability accidents can result in bodily harm, which can range from minor to life-altering injuries. Common outcomes may include:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries
• Illness caused by chemicals or toxic fumes
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck injuries
• Electrocution

These premises liability injuries may result in either temporary or permanent bodily damage. To get a proper diagnosis of your condition, it is encouraged to seek immediate medical attention at a local medical facility, like Adventist Health Glendale, Glendale Memorial Hospital, or USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. You may undergo exams or procedures that will determine the extent of your injuries. The physician will follow up with a medical care plan to help with your recovery process.

Are You Liable for Injuries on Your Property?

Property owners may be held legally responsible for injuries on their premises when they neglect to exercise reasonable care, such as correcting hazards and maintaining a safe environment for visitors.

Under California Civil Code § 1714, property owners have a duty to take care of their premises and to avoid exposing others to foreseeable harm. This includes the obligation to routinely inspect the property for hazards and to warn guests of dangers that are not so obvious. When these responsibilities are ignored and an injured party sustains harm as a result, you may be held liable for damages.

Liability arises depending on the specific circumstances presented, including the nature of the hazard, how long it existed on your property, and whether you took reasonable steps to have it corrected or notified to others. If you do not properly inspect the premises or neglect to give visitors a heads up about the affected area, those failures will form the basis of a premises liability claim.

How to Prove Negligence in a Premises Liability Case

Proving negligence in a premises liability case will require you to show how a property owner failed to take reasonable steps to keep the area safe for visitors. You will need to demonstrate how the property owner was in control of the territory and had the responsibility of correcting hazards in a timely manner. When dangerous conditions exist and immediate action is not taken, negligence may be considered based on what a reasonable property owner would have done under similar circumstances.

Another notable factor is whether the property owner knew (or should have known) about the unsafe environment. Evidence, like maintenance records or prior complaints, can be used to show that the condition was not new or unavoidable. If the hazard could have been detected through ordinary care, the failure to have it addressed may establish negligence.

You must also need to link the hazardous condition with the injury you sustained. This connection is made through medical documentation, photographs of the scene, and witness statements. And lastly, proving negligence will require you to show the actual harm you suffered. such as medical care, lost income, and other financial losses.

What Damages Can I Receive in Premises Liability Cases?

In premises liability cases, you may be eligible to receive economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages may include tangible, measurable losses, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate for intangible losses that are not easily quantified in monetary terms, like emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.

In circumstances where the property owner presented egregious behavior, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. To help you understand your potential recovery, you can use our personal injury settlement calculator to get an estimate of your losses.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Premises Liability Case?

Although it is possible to handle a premises liability case on your own, dealing with a property owner or their insurance company can be stressful. Without legal guidance, it will be difficult to recover compensation. A Glendale premises liability lawyer can navigate you through the process, ensure necessary documentation is collected, and consider all of your losses.

They will negotiate on your behalf, helping you avoid mistakes that could affect your chances of getting favorable results. With an attorney, you will increase your likelihood of holding the responsible party accountable while also getting the justice you deserve.

Injured On Someone Else’s Property? West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you sustained injuries because of a property owner’s negligence, the consequences can be immediate and long-lasting. What may start off as a single incident can result in ongoing medical care, lost income from taking time off of work to recover, and disruptions to daily life. When such injuries are caused by conditions that were not properly addressed, California law will provide victims the opportunity to pursue accountability and financial recovery.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Glendale premises liability lawyers will step in to advocate on your behalf, ensuring you are given the compensation and justice you deserve. We will approach the matter with thorough preparation and dedication, working to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Reach out to our law firm today to schedule a FREE consultation by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our easy online contact form.