What is premises liability?
Individuals who own or manage property or buildings are obligated to maintain a safe environment for all guests, visitors, and residents who use or occupy the property. Failing to keep property safe for others can be considered negligence, and injured individuals have the opportunity to file a personal injury claim for damages.
This means that though accidents and injuries happen all the time for no reason, there is a chance that a property owner can be responsible for your slip and fall accident or a swimming pool injury.
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Frequently asked questions
What causes slip & fall accidents?
Slip and fall accidents are the most common premises liability case and occur when people slip or trip on someone’s property. Each year, around one million people have to go to the emergency room because of slip and fall accidents. Common causes of these accidents include:
- Wet surfaces: Countless slip and fall accidents happen on wet or slippery surfaces. Examples include spills that haven’t been cleaned up, recently waxed floors, or moisture collection.
- Uneven surfaces: Loose floorboards, torn or loose carpeting, parking lot potholes, and poorly constructed staircases are all examples of uneven surfaces that can easily cause a person to trip and fall. Property owners are responsible for updating their buildings and fixing these issues.
- Weather conditions: It’s impossible to control the weather, but property owners still have a responsibility to keep their sidewalks clear and stable after rainfall or snow. If they fail to do so, they can be found guilty of negligence.
- Poor lighting: Dim or defective lighting in a common area or parking lot can prevent a person from seeing where they’re walking, resulting in a slip and fall accident. Beyond slip and falls, poor lighting can also create a dangerous environment and result in an assault.
What are California’s dog bite laws?
Just as property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe, dog owners also have a responsibility. In California, dog owners can be held liable for injuries their dog inflicts, even if they didn’t know they would act aggressively. This is thanks to California’s strict-liability dog bite laws.
When a dog lashes out and bites or injures a person, whether out of fear, aggression, or playfulness, the dog’s owner can be responsible for damages. Many dog owners are covered under insurance policies. Under certain circumstances, however, the dog owner can evade liability if they can prove the victim provoked the dog.
Do doctors have to report dog bites in California?
In general, yes doctors are required to report dog bites in California. The main reasoning behind this is to ensure that no one has contracted rabies as a result of a dog bite. Reporting also allows local public health authority to track data and trends in dog bites to people.
Should you wait to get legal help?
Injured on someone’s property? Even if you’re unsure whether someone can be at fault for your injuries, it’s in your best interest to call a law firm that is ready to listen and help you. Lara Law Firm is just a phone call away. Our Alhambra premises liability attorney is able to meet with you in a one-on-one consultation to learn more about your accident and determine whether someone can be held liable for damages.
Lara Law Firm offers compassionate legal services to injured clients throughout Southern California. We can walk you step by step through the legal process and handle the details of your case so you can concentrate on healing from your injuries.
