Los Angeles Premises Liability Lawyer
An injury on someone else’s property can leave you scared, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn, but you don’t have to face it alone. For more than 50 years, our Los Angeles premises liability lawyers have fought for Los Angeles victims and taken on the legal battle so they can focus on healing.
- 50+ years helping LA accident victims
- Over $2 billion recovered for clients in personal injury matters*
- Availability to answer questions
Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
*Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Your Advocates in a Time of Crisis
Since 1972, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker has represented injured individuals across Los Angeles. With a team recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers, we bring experience handling a wide range of injury cases.
We have represented thousands of injured clients across Los Angeles, and our cases have been covered by major media outlets. Our bilingual support team is available to assist clients and answer questions when they arise.
Getting injured on someone else’s property, especially in public, can be unsettling. You might feel embarrassed, confused, or unsure of what just happened while dealing with sudden pain and conflicting advice from people around you. Then the reality may set in: medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next.
A premises liability lawyer can help review what happened, communicate with insurers or property owners, and guide you through the legal process while you focus on recovery.
What to Do After a Premises Accident in Los Angeles
Take a breath, stay as calm as you can, and consider the following steps:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
Your health should always be your first priority. Even if you think you’re okay, some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. A doctor can evaluate you, treat hidden injuries, and document the connection between your condition and the accident. - Report the Accident: Tell the property owner, manager, or landlord what happened as soon as possible. If the injury is serious, you may contact the Los Angeles police so an official report can be created.
- Document Everything: Use your phone to take photos or videos of the exact spot where you were hurt, including the hazard that caused the accident. Photograph your injuries and collect contact information from anyone who saw what happened.
- Be Careful When Speaking with Insurance Adjusters: Insurance companies may request statements or offer early settlements. It may be helpful to understand your legal options before agreeing to anything.
- Contact a Los Angeles Premises Liability Lawyer: Speaking with an attorney early can help preserve evidence and clarify your legal rights while the facts surrounding the accident are still fresh.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents in Los Angeles
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injuries among adults aged 65 and older? In California alone, there were 2,347 deaths from falls in 2021.
In a fast-paced city like Los Angeles, hazardous conditions on properties can occur in many settings. High-traffic areas like The Grove or the Third Street Promenade may become unsafe when spills or debris are not cleaned up. Older buildings in neighborhoods such as Koreatown and Hollywood can sometimes have issues like poor lighting, broken stairs, or uneven floors, which may increase the risk of accidents.
Our firm handles a wide range of premises liability cases, including:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Wet floors, spilled liquids, freshly waxed surfaces, or missing warning signs in stores, restaurants, and malls.
- Trip and Fall Accidents: Broken sidewalks, uneven pavement, torn carpeting, poor lighting in stairwells, and cluttered walkways.
- Negligent Security: Incidents that may occur due to inadequate lighting, broken locks, missing cameras, or a lack of security personnel in apartments, parking structures, and hotels.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Drownings or near-drownings that may occur due to broken gates, insufficient barriers, or lack of supervision.
- Fires and Explosions: Injuries associated with faulty wiring, gas leaks, or fire code violations.
- Elevator and Escalator Incidents: Malfunctions that may lead to sudden stops, falls, or entrapment.
- Amusement Park Injuries: Ride malfunctions or unsafe conditions at theme parks throughout the LA area.
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: Situations where property owners may fail to properly restrain or control animals.
Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases
An accident on unsafe property can cause a wide spectrum of injuries, ranging from relatively minor to more serious conditions. Premises liability claims may involve injuries such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Broken Bones and Fractures
- Neck and Back Injuries
- Burns and Electrical Shocks
- Soft Tissue Damage (Sprains and Strains)
- Internal Organ Damage
- Lacerations and Scarring
When Can I File a Premises Liability Claim in Los Angeles?
You may be able to file a premises liability claim if a dangerous condition on someone else’s property contributed to your injury. Situations may include slipping on an unmarked wet floor, tripping on a broken stair, or being injured because a property owner failed to address a known hazard.
Under CACI 1000, California’s jury instruction for premises liability, the following elements are generally considered:
- The defendant owned, leased, occupied, or controlled the property
- The property was in a dangerous condition
- The defendant knew or reasonably should have known about the condition
- The defendant failed to repair the condition or provide a warning
- That failure was a substantial factor in causing your injury
You may have grounds for a claim if:
- You were injured by hazards such as wet floors, uneven pavement, loose handrails, poor lighting, or broken steps
- A business, landlord, or property owner ignored maintenance problems or failed to address maintenance issues or provide warnings
- Inadequate security contributed to an assault, robbery, or similar incident
- A property owner failed to provide reasonably safe walkways, proper lighting, or adequate supervision
- The injury occurred in places such as stairwells, parking lots, shopping centers, apartment complexes, or public venues
Premises liability laws in California are intended to promote reasonably safe conditions on properties and provide a legal framework for addressing injuries related to unsafe conditions. Speaking with a premises liability lawyer can help clarify your legal options and the next steps available to you.
Who May Be Liable for Your Injuries?
Determining who is at fault is a critical step in any premises liability claim. Liability is not always straightforward and can extend to multiple parties. Potential defendants include:
- Property Owners: Individuals, corporations, or landlords who own the property where the injury occurred have a primary duty to keep it reasonably safe.
- Business Owners/Tenants: A business leasing a space is often responsible for maintaining safe conditions within its operational area.
- Property Management Companies: Companies hired to manage and maintain a property can be responsible for addressing hazards.
- Government Agencies: If your injury occurred on public property, such as a cracked public sidewalk, a poorly maintained park, or a government building, the city, county, or state may be involved.
- Third-Party Contractors: Landscaping, cleaning, or maintenance companies may share responsibility if their work created or failed to address a hazard.
- Manufacturers: If a defective product on the property contributed to the injury (for example, a malfunctioning escalator), the product manufacturer could also be involved.
Damages You Can Recover in a Premises Liability Claim
Victims of premises liability accidents may seek compensation for the losses associated with their injuries. California law generally allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These are the measurable financial losses related to the accident:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for past and future medical care, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Earnings: Wages, salary, or benefits lost while unable to work due to the injury.
- Future Lost Earning Capacity: If injuries affect a person’s ability to return to the same type of work or earn income in the future.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace personal property damaged in the incident.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Other expenses related to the injury, such as transportation to medical appointments.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages relate to personal losses that are not strictly financial.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort associated with the injury.
- Emotional Distress: Psychological effects such as anxiety, stress, or depression related to the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Reduced ability to participate in activities or hobbies previously enjoyed.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation related to permanent physical changes caused by the injury.
- Loss of Consortium: Impact the injury may have on a marital relationship.
Understanding California’s Statute of Limitations
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. However, if your claim involves a government entity, the timeline is typically shorter. In many cases, a formal claim must be filed within six months.
Because these deadlines are strict, speaking with a premises liability attorney early can help ensure filing requirements are met and evidence is preserved.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Premises Liability Claim
When you’re hurt on someone else’s property, the confusion and stress can arrive quickly. You may be in pain, unsure how you’ll pay your medical bills, and worried about missing work. The last thing you may want to deal with is negotiating with an insurance company while trying to recover.
A premises liability lawyer can help guide you through the legal process and protect your interests during a challenging time. Many people are unfamiliar with the steps involved in investigating an accident, documenting damages, and communicating with insurers.
When you have legal representation, a lawyer may:
- Safeguard evidence before it is lost or altered
- Work with medical and safety experts to evaluate how the injury occurred
- Help assess long-term costs, including treatment and daily limitations
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Pursue appropriate compensation based on the facts of the case
While you focus on healing, your legal team can assist with the investigation and claims process.
How Our Law Firm Builds Your Case
Our approach is strategic and thorough, focusing on gathering the information needed to evaluate and pursue a premises liability claim.
- Case Evaluation: We begin with a consultation to listen to your story, assess your claim, and explain your legal options.
- Thorough Investigation: Our team gathers evidence such as accident reports, photographs, witness statements, and available security footage.
- Working with Experts: In some cases, we collaborate with medical specialists, engineers, or safety experts to better understand the circumstances of the accident and the extent of the injuries.
- Calculating Damages: We review documentation related to medical care, lost income, and other damages connected to the injury.
- Negotiation: Our attorneys communicate and negotiate with insurance companies regarding the claim.
- Trial Preparation: While many cases resolve through settlement, some may proceed to litigation. We prepare each case accordingly.
- Securing Your Settlement or Verdict: Cases may conclude through settlement negotiations or a court decision, depending on the circumstances.
Why Choose Us to Represent You in Los Angeles?
When choosing legal representation, many clients look for a firm with experience handling personal injury cases and familiarity with the Los Angeles legal system.
- Over 50 Years Serving LA: Our firm has represented injured individuals in Los Angeles since 1972.
- Multilingual Team: Our team includes staff who speak multiple languages to support communication with clients from diverse communities.
- Neighborhood Familiarity: We are familiar with Los Angeles courts and local procedures.
- Case Results: Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for clients in personal injury matters.*
- Full-Service Support: We assist clients with documentation, communication, and coordination related to their claims.
- Personalized Attention: We aim to provide responsive and attentive legal support throughout the case.
We aim to provide responsive and attentive legal support throughout the case.
*Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What Our Clients Say
Learn more about our past results from our client testimonials.*
“I am very happy with the work Ron Beck has put into my case and for his educating me on minors’ compromise. If I ever get into an accident again, I will make sure to give them a call.” – Tabatha H.
*Client testimonials describe individual experiences and should not be interpreted as guarantees of future results.
If you would like to learn more about your legal options, you may call 800-333-0000 to schedule a consultation.
Premises Liability Attorney Near Me
We represent clients throughout Los Angeles County, including Downtown LA, West LA, the San Fernando Valley, the South Bay, East Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.
Central Los Angeles & Core Business Hubs
- Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)
- Century City
- Mid-Wilshire / Miracle Mile
- Koreatown
Westside & The “Silicon Beach” Corridor
- Beverly Hills
- Santa Monica
- Culver City
- Playa Vista
- Westwood
- Malibu
San Fernando Valley (The Valley) & North County
- Burbank
- Studio City / Sherman Oaks
- Woodland Hills / Warner Center
- Santa Clarita
South Bay & Harbor Area
- Torrance
- El Segundo / LAX Corridor
- Long Beach
- Inglewood
- San Pedro
San Gabriel Valley (SGV) & Northeast
- Pasadena
- Glendale
- Alhambra / Monterey Park
- East Los Angeles (Unincorporated Area Focus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I were partially at fault for the accident?
California follows a “comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your award would typically be reduced by 20%.
Do I need a police report to file a claim?
While a police or incident report is valuable evidence, it is not strictly required to file a claim. However, having an official report can significantly strengthen your case.
What if the accident happened at a friend’s home?
You can still pursue a claim. In many situations, the claim is handled through a homeowner’s insurance policy rather than the individual’s personal finances.
What if the property owner fixed the hazard after my accident?
You may still pursue a claim. Repairs made after an accident may help demonstrate that a hazardous condition existed and required correction.
Can I still bring a claim if I wasn’t supposed to be on the property?
Possibly. Property owners owe different duties depending on whether someone is a guest, customer, or trespasser. The specific circumstances of the incident can affect whether a claim is available.
Can I still file a claim if my symptoms appeared days after the accident?
Yes. Some injuries, particularly soft-tissue injuries or certain head injuries, may not show symptoms immediately. Seeking medical attention and documenting symptoms as soon as possible is important.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Fee arrangements and costs are discussed during the consultation so you can understand how representation works before moving forward.
Get the Justice You Deserve Today
You don’t have to face this situation alone. A premises liability lawyer can review what happened and explain the legal options that may be available to you.
- Free Initial Consultation
- 24/7 Availability
You may contact us today at 562-620-5912 or complete our online form to learn more about your options.
