Understanding California Premises Liability Law

If a person suffers serious injuries or is killed because of a dangerous condition on another party’s property, the victim or his or her beneficiaries may be able to file a premises liability claim against the negligent property owner. The most common kind of premises liability claim involves so-called “slip and fall” accidents, but people may be hurt as the result of any number of other hazards including falling objects, mechanical malfunctions, or inadequate security.

If you sustained severe injuries or your loved one was killed as the result of a dangerous property condition, it is in your best interest to quickly retain legal counsel before speaking to any insurance company. The Los Angeles Injury Group assists clients all over the greater Los Angeles area with premises liability claims and fights to get them the compensation they need and deserve.

Basic Elements of a Premises Liability Claim in California

The California Civil Jury Instructions make clear that a person claiming that he or she suffered an injury because of a property owner’s negligence will be required to prove four things:

• The defendant owned the property — When property owners invite guests, they have a duty of care to all parties invited onto the premises to maintain a reasonably safe environment and warn them of any possible dangers;
• The defendant was negligent in the use or maintenance of that property — The property owner somehow breached that duty of care by failing to take the necessary actions to protect an innocent person’s well-being;
• The plaintiff was injured — A victim must demonstrate he or she suffered actual injuries while on the defendant’s property; and
• The defendant’s negligence was a significant cause of the plaintiff’s injuries — The victim must connect his or her injuries to the negligence of the property owner.

Steps To Take in California Premises Liability Cases

Many premises liability claims stem from visits victims make to places of business. In such cases, a person should always be certain to immediately file a report with the manager on duty or some other company employee and ask for a copy of the report.

Regardless of whether a person believes he or she was hurt, any victim should also make sure to immediately seek medical attention. In addition to having a medical professional ensure no serious injuries with delayed symptoms were sustained, it is also extremely important to have records created of prompt medical care following these types of accidents.

If victims are able, they should photograph as much of the accident scene as possible. When a person is unable to do this because of medical care or some other issue, he or she should try to have a friend or family member take these steps for him or her.

Finally, the most important thing to do after any kind of premises liability accident is to seek legal representation.

Find a Premises Liability Lawyer in Los Angeles

Did you suffer serious injuries or was your loved one killed because of a property owner’s negligence in Southern California? You will want to immediately contact the Los Angeles Injury Group.

Our firm represents individuals all over the greater Los Angeles area. You can have our Los Angeles personal injury attorney review your case and help you understand all of your legal options when you call (310) 954-7248 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.