Redding Premises Liability Attorneys

Helping You Recover Compensation for Injuries

When you visit a store, restaurant, or other business, you expect to be safe from harm. You also expect that the property owner has taken reasonable steps to ensure your safety. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, our Redding premises liability lawyer has more than 20 years of experience. We have helped countless clients recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. We are prepared to help you, too.

Call our firm today at (530) 491-4727 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our team.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible for certain injuries that occur on their property. In California, property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent injuries from occurring. When a property owner fails to do this, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result.

There are three main types of visitors that can be on a property:

• Invitees
• Licensees
• Trespassers

Invitees are people who are invited onto the property for the financial benefit of the property owner. This includes customers at a store or restaurant. Licensees are people who are invited onto the property for non-financial reasons. This includes social guests. Trespassers are people who are on the property without permission. In California, property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers. However, they cannot intentionally harm them.

The following elements are often considered in premises liability cases in California:

1. Duty of Care: The property owner or occupier must owe a duty of care to the injured party. This duty is often based on the person's legal status on the property, such as an invitee (someone invited onto the property for business purposes), licensee (someone allowed onto the property for non-business reasons, like social guests), or trespasser.
2. Breach of Duty: It must be shown that the property owner or occupier breached their duty of care. This could involve negligence, such as failing to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition or failing to warn of known hazards.
3. Causation: There must be a direct link between the property owner's breach of duty and the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. In other words, you need to establish that the property owner's negligence was a substantial factor in causing the harm.
4. Foreseeability: The property owner must have been able to reasonably foresee that their actions or failure to act could result in harm to others. If the hazard was not foreseeable, it might be more challenging to establish liability.
5. Notice: The plaintiff may need to show that the property owner had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. Actual notice means the owner knew about the hazard, while constructive notice implies that the owner should have known about it through reasonable inspection or maintenance procedures.
6. Injury or Damages: Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered actual harm or damages as a result of the property owner's negligence. This can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other related losses.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability cases can arise from a wide range of situations. In general, any situation where a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries can be the basis of a premises liability case.

Some of the most common types of premises liability cases include:

• Slip and Fall Accidents: Occur when a person slips, trips, or falls due to hazardous conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or debris.
• Staircase Accidents: Injuries that result from poorly maintained or defective stairs, lack of handrails, or inadequate lighting.
• Elevator and Escalator Accidents: Injuries caused by malfunctioning or poorly maintained elevators and escalators.
• Swimming Pool Accidents: Incidents involving drowning, injuries, or other accidents around swimming pools due to inadequate safety measures, such as lack of proper fencing or signage.
• Amusement Park Accidents: Injuries sustained in amusement parks due to ride malfunctions, poor maintenance, operator negligence, or insufficient safety measures.
• Exposure to Toxic Substances: Cases where individuals suffer harm due to exposure to hazardous substances such as lead paint, asbestos, or toxic chemicals on the premises.
• Insufficient Security: Injuries or assaults that occur on the property due to inadequate security measures, including poor lighting, broken locks, or lack of security personnel.
• Construction Site Accidents: Injuries sustained by workers or visitors at construction sites due to unsafe conditions, lack of warning signs, or failure to follow safety regulations.
• Negligent Maintenance: Injuries resulting from the property owner's failure to maintain the premises properly, leading to dangerous conditions.
• Dog Bites: Property owners, particularly dog owners, may be held responsible for injuries caused by their pets if they knew or should have known about the animal's aggressive tendencies.
• Retail Store Accidents: Injuries that occur in retail establishments due to hazards like spills, debris, or improperly maintained premises.
• Inadequate Lighting Accidents: Accidents that occur due to insufficient lighting, increasing the risk of slips, trips, and falls.

What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, it is important to take the right steps to protect your rights. This includes taking steps to document the accident and your injuries. It also includes seeking medical attention as soon as possible.

After a premises liability accident, you should:

• Report the accident to the property owner or manager
• Take pictures of the accident scene
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses
• Seek medical attention
• Keep a record of all medical treatment
• Follow your doctor’s orders
• Keep a record of all expenses related to the accident
• Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company
• Do not post about the accident on social media
• Call a premises liability lawyer in Redding

How Our Firm Can Help

After a premises liability accident, you may be contacted by the property owner’s insurance company. They may offer you a settlement. It is important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side. They are a for-profit company that is looking to pay you as little as possible. Before you accept any settlement offer, you should speak to a premises liability attorney in Redding.

At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, we can help you understand your rights and options. We can help you determine the true value of your claim. Our team can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If they are not willing to make a fair settlement offer, we are prepared to take your case to court.

Contact us today at (530) 491-4727 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Redding premises liability lawyers.