Beverly Hills is known for its luxury, celebrity culture, and exclusivity. Yet, accidents can occur even in this city’s most well-maintained and luxurious properties. They could happen while visiting a boutique, dining at a fine restaurant, or in the lobby of your apartment. You can slip and fall anywhere, and this seemingly minor accident can lead to life-altering injuries. When a property owner fails to maintain safety standards on their premises, you should not be the one paying for the consequences. You have legal options: you can hire a Beverly Hills premises liability lawyer from our firm.
At Dordick Law Corporation, we are a team of experienced Beverly Hills premises liability attorneys. We know how to aggressively represent you in negotiations and litigation to fight for your deserved compensation. We understand this community’s laws and know how to hold property owners accountable when they fail to uphold their legal responsibilities. Our local knowledge of Beverly Hills courts, judges, and the legal landscape gives us a distinct advantage in effectively handling your case.
Our team has extensive experience handling a wide range of liability cases in Beverly Hills, including those involving premises liability and property owner negligence. We are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal proceedings, reducing your stress and ensuring the best possible outcome for your case. To plan your route, find our law firm on Google Maps.
What Is Premises Liability and Why It Matters
Premises liability is a legal term used to describe the responsibility of a property owner for the injuries sustained on their premises when those injuries result from unsafe property conditions or hazardous conditions. These laws are set in place to allow injured people to obtain compensation from the party upon whose property they were harmed by a hazardous condition. It doesn’t matter if the property is commercial or residential. An owner who fails to address known risks may be held liable for injuries that result from those risks.
Liability in a premises accident can be challenging to determine. Liability depends on factors such as the property owner’s actions, the visitor’s legal status, and the specific circumstances of the accident.
Common examples of property hazard claims in Beverly Hills are:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven or broken flooring
- Inadequate security
- Poor lighting in hallways or stairwells
- Loose railings
- Cracked sidewalks
- Failure to provide adequate warning for temporary hazards, such as wet floors or construction areas
Legal Obligations of an Owner
Property owners have a legal obligation to conduct reasonable inspections to identify and address unsafe or hazardous conditions on their premises.
This law is critical in enforcing high property standards. If a property owner knows about a risk on their property and willfully ignores correcting that issue, everyone who uses the property is put at risk. The property owner is the only person who has the right to attend to the hazards on their premises. Therefore, they are the ones with the responsibility to ensure they’ve been addressed as well.
Property owners owe a duty of care to visitors, and this duty is affected by the visitor’s status. Invitees and licensees have the property owner’s implied permission to be on the property, which impacts the duty of care owed to them.
Property owners must take steps to address unsafe or hazardous conditions to prevent injuries and potential liability.
Accidents Can Happen Anywhere
Beverly Hills is known for luxury and expense, but no matter how elegant a space is, oversight and neglect are not only possible but common. Some of the most common accidents in upscale environments like this city are:
- Slipping on polished marble lobby floors in a luxury condominium
- Falling down poorly lit staircases in a historic hotel
- Being assaulted in a parking garage because a wrongdoer entered the property through broken security gates
- Tripping over ripped carpet at a private estate event
- Fall accidents in retail stores due to a store owner’s failure to clean up a spill, highlighting the store owner’s responsibility to address hazards promptly
- Injuries caused by hazards at a construction site, where the property owner must ensure safety and address temporary dangers to prevent liability claims
- Accidents occurring on someone else’s property, where it is crucial to document the incident and understand the property owner’s duty of care
A clear failure in each of these situations shows negligence in property maintenance. Premises liability accidents can happen in a variety of settings, including stores, construction sites, and private properties. When these things happen, injury, medical bills, and trauma usually follow. Premises liability law allows you to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation if your accident results in injury.
Who Is Liable in a Premises Accident?
Liability in a premises accident can be challenging to determine. The circumstances surrounding the incident are crucial in evaluating a liability claim, as the specific details of how the injury occurred can significantly impact the outcome. It depends first on the relationship between the victim and the property owner, and also on the property’s condition. In California, the law provides that landlords, store managers, property management companies, and anyone responsible for maintaining a property owe a duty of care to the guests who use their respective facilities. This means the property owner will primarily be held responsible unless the victim is a trespasser.
Once it’s determined whether the victim is a guest or a trespasser, it’s critical to examine a few more elements of the accident to determine who is liable for the accident. Courts will look at:
- Whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard
- Whether they failed to repair, warn, or restrict access to the area
- Whether their negligence directly caused the injury
The courts will further examine the details of the accident to determine how much fault each party has. Different types of liability claims and premises liability cases may arise from unsafe property conditions, including those involving slip and falls, inadequate security, or safety code violations. California uses a comparative fault system, meaning that if the victim is found partially at fault, their compensation can be reduced by the amount of fault they hold. This can happen if, for instance, the victim was texting while they walked past a hazard and, therefore, was not paying attention to where they were walking. Liability cases often involve complex legal and factual issues that require careful analysis.
The Role of Negligence When Property Owners Fail
Beverly Hills expects its property owners to maintain high standards of safety for the residents and visitors in the city. When a property owner, manager, or tenant neglects that duty, consequences are severe. Negligence comes in many forms, but when it comes to premises liability, it can look like:
- Failing to fix a loose step despite previous complaints
- Ignoring broken security cameras
- Not posting warning signs near recent spills
- Letting pathways become cluttered
- Allowing injuries to occur due to inadequate maintenance of the property, such as failing to repair damaged flooring or address structural hazards
A property owner’s negligence in fulfilling their legal obligation to maintain safe premises can lead to serious injuries.
To prove negligence, you need documentation and evidence that are often brought to light through investigation. Working with an experienced premises liability attorney in Beverly Hills is critical because they will know how to obtain the necessary evidence to build a strong case. It is also important to document ongoing medical care to ensure all future costs and rehabilitation needs are considered in your claim.
Your Legal Rights After a Property Accident
After you sustain an injury as a result of a property owner’s negligence, you likely have pain, medical bills, hospital bills, and trauma. You also have legal rights. Under California law, you have the right to pursue compensation for:
- Any medical expenses, including emergency, ongoing, and past medical expenses, as well as hospital bills
- Loss of income or loss of earning capacity, including lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Seeking maximum compensation is especially important if you have suffered serious injuries or ongoing losses that impact your life.
Typically, you can receive this compensation through two avenues. The first is an insurance claim against the property owner’s insurer. The second is filing a premises liability lawsuit, usually when the insurance company lowballs you or denies your claim. Filing a premises liability claim is the first step to recover compensation for your losses. Premises liability cases can involve complex legal and factual issues, especially when serious injuries are involved.
However, it’s important to note that in California, the statute of limitations for these claims allows you to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party within two years of the accident date. There are some exceptions, so it’s important not to wait. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible and let them handle the deadlines and exceptions, as acting quickly is essential to recover compensation for lost income and other damages.
Typical Causes of Premises Liability Injuries
Common injuries resulting from premises liability accidents include broken bones, sprains, head injuries, and other serious harm. These injuries often occur due to unsafe conditions or hazardous conditions on the property.
The most common type of premises liability accident is a slip-and-fall accident. We immediately picture a spill in a grocery store or a trip over a broken step. However, there are many other common causes, such as:
- Negligent security can result in assaults, theft, or harm that can often be prevented with lighting, guards, or locks.
- Elevator or escalator malfunctions are common in office buildings and hotels, and usually can be prevented with proper maintenance.
- Dog bites or animal attacks are more common in private homes or events, and can be prevented with proper training or restraint.
- Structural failures like collapsing balconies or defective stairs are likely the results of lengthy neglect in maintenance.
- Toxic exposure can cause long-term health difficulties. These usually result from mold, cleaning chemicals, or asbestos in poorly ventilated areas.
- Traumatic brain injuries can result from slip and fall accidents, especially when the victim strikes their head.
- Swimming pool accidents can lead to serious injuries or drowning, especially when pools are not properly secured or maintained.
In many of these cases, unsafe conditions and hazardous conditions are often the root cause of the incident.
In any of these cases, liability can be hard to determine. More than one party can often be involved, which only adds to the difficulty of the legal battle. This is why it’s vital to have a Beverly Hills premises liability lawyer guide you through the process. Premises liability claims are a specific category of personal injury cases.
Filing a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Beverly Hills
Filing a premises liability lawsuit involves a detailed legal process, from investigation to litigation, and having a skilled legal team on your side is crucial for navigating these steps and protecting your rights. The hardest part is gathering the evidence. That’s why it’s essential to have a personal injury attorney. They’ll be able to gather evidence you cannot get, such as maintenance records and surveillance footage, as well as consult experts and discover all liable parties. Then, they’ll file the premises liability lawsuit within the statutory deadline.
Typically, working with an attorney to file your lawsuit will involve the benefits of legal representation by experienced premises liability attorneys or liability attorneys, who can build a strong case and maximize your outcome:
- An Initial Consultation or Free Consultation: This is where your lawyer evaluates your claim, and you discuss your options to move forward. Most premises liability attorneys offer this initial consultation with no upfront costs due to contingency fee arrangements.
- Evidence Gathering: Your lawyer will collect photos, witness statements, medical records, and more.
- Claim Submission: This can be insurance demands or legal filings.
- Negotiation: In this stage, your lawyer will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
- Litigation: Your lawyer will take the case to court if the insurance company does not provide a fair settlement.
It’s vital to choose a lawyer who knows the law in California and will be able to fight for you in a way you feel comfortable. A premises liability attorney in Beverly Hills can provide the legal representation you need to recover compensation for your injuries. Don’t fight your case alone.
Why Choose Our Beverly Hills Premises Liability Lawyers?
At Dordick Law Corporation, our personal injury lawyers in Beverly Hills provide the experience of a major law firm without the hassle. Our premises liability attorneys in Beverly Hills know the unique demands of Beverly Hills clients, such as privacy, discretion, and results. We’re here to deliver.
Our team has extensive experience handling premises liability claims and premises liability accidents, including cases involving inadequate security leading to criminal acts on a property. We understand the importance of property owners’ duty to provide adequate security measures to prevent serious injuries and criminal acts. Failing to provide adequate security measures can result in liability for property owners when visitors are harmed.
With us, you’ll receive:
- Personalized attention from the start
- Decades of combined experience in premises liability law
- Track record of high-value verdicts and settlements
- Local insight into Beverly Hills properties, owners, and insurance providers
When you work with our law firm, you’re not just another case. You’re a client with a life to rebuild, and your recovery is our priority. Injuries can be taxing, both physically and emotionally. We’ll help you pursue compensation for all the aspects of your loss and suffering so that you have the time and space to focus on healing. If you are involved in an accident, always seek medical attention promptly to protect your health and strengthen your legal rights. Our team will:
- Handle all legal communications
- Manage documents
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Fight aggressively for your compensation
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t pay us anything until we win your case. Don’t hesitate. Contact us at (310) 736-2866 to schedule your free personal injury case consultation.
