Premises Liability Explained

Premises liability refers to a property owner’s responsibility for certain injuries sustained on the property due to unsafe or dangerous conditions.

Common Types of Premises Liability:

• Slip and fall accidents due to wet floors, dim lighting, or uneven surfaces
• Dog bites
• Staircase accidents
• Torn carpeting leading to falls
• Failure to properly maintain property due to bad weather
• Fires
• Swimming pool accidents
• Insufficient building security
• Dangerous fumes or chemicals
• Construction activity on a property that creates hidden dangers
• Faulty machinery located on a property

Individuals who enter another person’s property have a reasonable expectation that they will not be injured. The property owner may be held liable if they are found to have been negligent in allowing a dangerous condition to exist that caused the injury.   

Falling on someone else’s property does not automatically entitle you to file a lawsuit. A slip and fall victim must generally be able to demonstrate the following elements in order to hold an individual liable for injuries sustained as a result of a slip and fall:

• That the defendant owned/leased/occupied/controlled the property
• That the defendant was negligent in the use or maintenance of the property
• That the victim was harmed
• That the defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing the victim’s harm

A property owner has an affirmative duty to exercise ordinary care to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition. California courts have determined that a property owner’s lack of knowledge about the dangerous condition is generally not a defense.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We will be happy to discuss your matter confidentially and provide you with a free consultation.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of a property owner, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Culver Law Firm for a free case evaluation.  Once retained, Culver Law Firm will immediately start working on your case including conducting an investigation, reviewing police reports and witness statements, as well as gathering the paperwork necessary to initiate your personal injury claim.  At Culver Law Firm, we will always provide you with timely case status updates and we are always available to answer any questions you may have about your case.