If you suffered injuries on another person’s property, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. At OnderLaw , the Los Angeles personal injury legal team will dedicate the time and effort to your case to fight for the justice you deserve. You should not be forced to pay out of pocket for any of the costs you incurred if someone else’s actions were entirely to blame for the accident.

Premises liability law determines liability after an accident on commercial, residential, or government property. If the owner, occupier, or lessor was responsible for your injuries, they should be held liable for their negligent or careless actions. Even if you were partly to blame for the accident, you could still seek compensation to cover some of the losses you suffered.

Business owners and homeowners have a duty to prevent their guests from harm. That means they must regularly maintain their properties’ exterior and interior and remove hazards or repair damage. If they were negligent in their duties, they should be financially responsible for your treatment costs, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and other resulting expenses.

OnderLaw knows what it takes to meet our clients’ needs and legal goals. Our Los Angeles premises liability lawyers are available 24/7 to take your call and discuss your case. Do not hesitate to call us for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options and how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Property Owner/Manager Responsibility in California

Premises liability is a type of personal injury case involving the negligent actions of property owners or managers that can lead to injuries and illnesses for visitors to the property. It is the owner/manager’s job to perform routine maintenance to discover potential hazards and meet all building and safety codes. They must also perform prompt repairs on damage or defects that could cause harm to a visitor. If they fail in their duties, they could be liable for the injured party’s losses.

The individuals and companies often at fault for accidents include:

  • Landlords
  • Homeowners
  • Employees of the business or property
  • Parent companies
  • Maintenance workers
  • Governmental entities
  • Business owners
  • Property management companies
  • Third-party contractors
  • Repair companies
  • Construction workers

OnderLaw is familiar with state laws regarding premises liability cases. We know when an owner should be held accountable for the harm they caused and how to seek compensation for our clients. If you sustained injuries, you should not wait too long before reaching out to us. We will need to investigate the accident and locate crucial evidence to prove what happened. This process can take time, and we’ll need to complete all necessary steps before time runs out.

Places Where Premises Liability Claims Could Arise

Dangerous conditions can exist on any type of property. Whether you’re at a friend’s house or the grocery store, you could slip on a wet floor, get struck by an unsecured falling object, or be exposed to toxic substances. The injuries and illnesses resulting from a premises liability accident can be severe and debilitating. Some even lead to fatalities.

The most common places where premises liability accidents occur are:

  • Hotels
  • Retirement communities
  • Private homes
  • Airports
  • Stores
  • Amusement parks
  • Construction sites
  • Public parks and playgrounds
  • Shopping malls
  • Community swimming pools
  • Apartment complexes and buildings
  • Roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots
  • Golf courses
  • Office buildings

If you were injured on any of these properties, you likely required medical treatment to heal. Some injuries don’t leave lasting effects, while others result in a disabling condition that causes chronic pain and impairs physical or mental functioning. The most common injuries in premises liability accidents are:

  • Burns
  • Twisted or sprained ankle
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Concussion
  • Permanent scarring
  • Disfigurement
  • Broken bones
  • Torn ligaments or tendons
  • Pulled muscles
  • Dislocated joints
  • Paralysis
  • Internal bleeding
  • Electrocution
  • Bruises and cuts
  • Spinal cord or back injuries

An accident can happen on any poorly maintained property. If you suffered an injury on any of these or another type of commercial or residential property in Los Angeles, contact OnderLaw for your free consultation. We can review the circumstances of the accident and determine the available options for securing an adequate financial award.

Types of Premises Liability Accidents

Different factors could contribute to an accident. The scenario you find yourself in will depend on the type of property you’re visiting and what the owner did to cause your injuries. If there were dangerous conditions that the owner knew about or should have known about and didn’t do anything to fix it, they could be at fault for any injuries visitors sustain.

Negligence is often the reason accidents happen. Negligence is the failure of one party to use a reasonable degree of care to avoid causing harm to others. The most common types of negligence that can cause accidents on someone’s premises are:

  • Cracked sidewalks
  • Inexperienced or lack of security personnel
  • Poor lighting
  • Missing or damaged railings
  • Slippery floors
  • Fires
  • Faulty wiring
  • Malfunctioning windows or doors
  • Loose carpeting or rugs
  • Defective elevators or escalators
  • Potholes
  • Electrocution
  • Steep or narrow staircases
  • Uneven flooring
  • Exposed chemicals or flammable substances
  • Walkway obstructions
  • Failure to place warning signs near hazards
  • Unsteady objects on shelves

You might not see the reason for your injuries on this list. That doesn’t mean you don’t have a case OnderLaw can help you pursue. You should speak to us about the circumstances involved in the accident so we can advise you whether you’re entitled to compensation.

Compensation for Injuries on Private, Public, or Commercial Properties

There are typically two options for seeking compensation from the negligent property owner. You could file a claim with their liability insurance company and negotiate with the insurance company for a settlement. Or you could file a lawsuit. Which option is right for you will depend on various elements of your case. Some people can recover the maximum settlement they need to compensate for their losses, while others have their claim denied and have to move forward with a lawsuit.

The losses you might be able to pursue in your premises liability case are:

  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Damage to personal property
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

If you suffered injuries at a friend or family member’s home, the thought of seeking legal action against them might be overwhelming. You don’t want to ruin your relationship by suing them for the dangerous conditions on their property. However, you don’t necessarily have to file a lawsuit right away. If they have homeowner’s insurance, you could file a claim.

If you were on property that is open to the public, such as a hotel, grocery store, or community center swimming pool, you might be entitled to compensation from an insurance claim. Businesses typically carry liability insurance to compensate accident victims for their expenses. The amount of coverage you can pursue will depend on what’s listed on the policy. Most will cover your medical treatment, lost wages, personal property damage, and other losses.

Claims against the government are more complicated than other personal injury claims or lawsuits. If a government employee was negligent and caused the accident, you could hold the entity they work for liable for your losses. According to the California Tort Claims Act, you must file your claim with the specific municipality within six months of the accident date.

If the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to settle for a fair amount, you could initiate a civil lawsuit against the homeowner, business owner, or governmental entity. However, you must follow the state’s two-year statute of limitations. It’s a strict timeframe for pursuing legal action against another party. Once this deadline passes, you won’t be able to hold the at-fault owner liable.

In the case of government entities, you have a shorter time limit. Any lawsuit must be filed within six months of the date of the denial of the claim you submitted to that entity.

Speak to a Dedicated Los Angeles Premises Liability Lawyer

OnderLaw understands the financial implications of a serious accident. Even if you suffered minor injuries, you likely needed medical intervention to heal your wounds and manage any pain you experienced. This leads to various costs that you might not be able to afford.

We don’t want to add any additional burden when you’re already dealing with economic strain. That’s why we take all cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t charge upfront fees or costs when a client hires us. We won’t collect any of our legal fees unless we secure compensation in your case. If we lose, you will never owe us any money for our services.

At OnderLaw , our legal team fights for accident victims. We believe in providing personalized one-on-one attention and treating our clients as priorities. You will have a knowledgeable law firm on your side to be your advocate and help you hold the negligent party accountable for their misconduct. You can depend on us to explore all avenues to create a plan that reaches a favorable outcome.

If you were injured on someone else’s property in Los Angeles, call OnderLaw right now. One of our Los Angeles premises liability lawyers can meet with you for a free consultation to discuss what happened and help get you on the road to recovery.