Premises Liability Attorney
You may be eligible for compensation if you have been injured as the result of negligence from a premises liability. Call us for a free case evaluation today.
Los Angeles Premises Liability Attorneys
When you head out into the world to do your shopping, run your errands, go to work, or do just about everything else, the owners and managers of those commercial properties you enter owe you a duty of care that translates to maintaining their premises in the reasonably safe condition that is necessary to allow for you and their other guest’s safe passage. When a property owner or manager fails to uphold this duty of care, dangerous accidents can happen, and premises liability law applies. If you’ve been injured by a property owner’s negligence, turn to an experienced California premises liability attorney today.
The Elements of Premises Liability in California
In the State of California, four distinct elements make up successful premises liability claims, including:
- The property owner or manager owed you a duty of care, such as a restaurant manager owes you when you are a guest in his or her restaurant.
- The property owner or manager failed to uphold this duty of care, such as if the restaurant manager allowed a spill on the floor of his or her restaurant to go unattended.
- This breach of duty caused you – at least in part – to be injured in an accident, such as if the spill in the restaurant caused you to slip and fall.
- The accident caused you to suffer actual damages, such as medical costs, lost earnings, or pain and suffering.
When all these parts are present, it sets the stage for a viable premises liability claim.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Claims
The causes behind premises liability claims are nearly limitless, but there are several that are most common.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are one of the most common and most dangerous forms of premises liability accidents, and the following are some of the most common causes:
- Spills that are left unchecked
- Torn, buckled, frayed, ripped, uneven, or otherwise worn floor coverings
- Tripping hazards in walkways
- Hazardous steps, staircases, platforms, elevators, or escalators
Attractive Nuisances
Attractive nuisances refer to attractions, such as swimming pools, that may draw in people who pose a danger (due to lack of adequate safety measures), such as children.
Dog Bites
Dogs are great – until they unexpectedly bite. Dog bites can do an excessive amount of damage, and they tend to be terrifying to boot.
Inadequate Property Security
Inadequate property security plays an especially significant role in parking lots, parking ramps, and other unsecured areas where customers and guests are required to walk – and where inadequate security makes dangerous crimes more likely.
Your Physical, Financial, and Emotional Damages
The physical, financial, and emotional damages relevant to your premises liability claim can be immense.
Your Medical Expenses
The medical costs you experience can include all of the following:
- Emergency services
- Surgery and follow-up care
- The services of doctors and specialists
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Pain management
- Adaptive physical devices
- Home health care
When it comes to your medical costs, it’s important to recognize that a serious injury can easily require ongoing care into your future and that it may lead to secondary health concerns. As such, you may not be fully aware of the extent of your medical costs for some time to come.
Lost Earnings
A serious injury tends to mean lost wages, and the more serious the injury, the more significant your loss in earnings is likely to be. If your injuries affect your ability to return to your job, you could also be facing an altered career course and a diminished earning potential.
Pain and Suffering
The physical and emotional pain and suffering you experience can be overwhelming. Some of the common emotional side effects include:
- Sleep disturbances
- Severe mood swings
- Increased anxiety
- Bouts of depression
- Crying jags
- Self-isolation
- Emotional lability
- Memory lapses
- Changes in personality
One of the most difficult aspects of these effects is that they tend to push your support system away when you could use their help the most.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are so closely associated with premises liability claims and are so dangerous that it’s worth taking a closer look. Consider the following statistics forwarded by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI):
- Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits, and they account for a full 21.3 percent of said visits.
- Five percent of all people who slip and fall suffer a fracture.
- Floors and flooring materials play a direct role in more than 2 million injury-causing falls each year.
- 22 percent of all slip and falls lead to more than 31 days off the job.
Slip and fall accidents are as common as they are serious.
Common Injuries Sustained
While the injuries sustained in premises liability accidents can take virtually any form, several types are most closely associated.
Fractures
Fractures are serious injuries that are as slow to heal as they are physically painful. Further, if it is a compound fracture, it can lead to serious complications that can end in chronic pain – or even a permanent disability.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A blow to the head typically causes traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and they are exceptionally serious injuries that can be life-altering. Because your brain houses your personality and what it is that makes you, a TBI can irreparably shift the way you interact with the world.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury is usually caused by an impact to the shoulders, back, or neck, and even a relatively minor spinal cord injury can be exceptionally painful and can lead to severe limitations in range of motion. If your spinal cord is severed, it means permanent paralysis, which can seriously limit your independence and irrevocably alter the life you lead.
Don’t Wait to Consult with an Experienced California Premises Liability Attorney
The resourceful premises liability attorneys at Los Angeles City Law, have reserves of impressive experience guiding cases like yours toward positive resolutions. For more information about what we can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 866-522-4895 today.
