In Riverside, California, accidents happen all the time. They can happen on a routine trip to the grocery store when you rush around to get that last ingredient for dinner and slip on a spill. Sometimes, they occur in an apartment complex after a long and stressful day of work when you want to be home and relaxed, but instead, you’re assaulted in the lobby of your own home because there’s no security. Or it could happen at a friend’s house after introducing you to their untrained, aggressive dog that bites you. Then, you’ll need the help of a Riverside premises liability lawyer.
At Dordick Law Corporation, we proudly represent victims of accidents like these and other accidents that stem from dangerous property conditions. As a Riverside County law firm, we have recovered millions for our clients and are committed to securing maximum compensation for those injured due to property hazards. Our team of dedicated Riverside premises liability attorneys serves clients throughout Riverside County, providing local expertise and aggressive representation.
As experienced premises liability lawyers in Riverside, we know how to fight the tactics of sneaky insurance companies that don’t want to pay claims, and we’ll aggressively pursue the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. We’ll provide you with support when you need it the most. Don’t let a property owner bully you out of fair compensation for their neglect. Let us help you. Call our office today at (310) 341-7176 for a free initial consultation. If you are scheduling a visit, find the best route using Google Maps.
Understanding Premises Liability in California
A premises liability lawyer represents people injured on someone’s property when unsafe conditions cause harm. Under california law, property owners and those responsible for a property must maintain safe premises in a reasonably safe condition, including residential and commercial property, and warn visitors about known hazards on the property. These conditions can look like:
- Slippery floors
- Uneven walkways
- Broken handrails
- Poor lighting in hallways
- Poor security measures leading to crime
- Hazardous conditions
- Dangerous condition
Code violations, such as building or fire code violations, can also create hazardous conditions that lead to liability under premises liability law.
When a property owner fails to maintain reasonable property safety standards, unsuspecting visitors are often the ones who suffer the consequences. Liability laws require property owners to address dangerous conditions on their properties, whether at a home or business, to help prevent injuries and legal consequences. Injuries from these conditions can include broken bones and brain injuries, and California law requires evidence of negligence for a claim.
Common Property Hazard Claims in Riverside
In Riverside, California, many accidents happen every day, but some common types of premises liability claims are more prevalent than others. These include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents in grocery stores or other public buildings
- Inadequate or negligent security at apartment complexes or parking garages
- Trips due to broken sidewalks or unseen obstacles
- Dog bites in private homes and even in public spaces
- Swimming pool accidents that result from missing fencing or a lack of supervision
- Construction accidents involving unsafe conditions on worksites
- Motorcycle accidents occurring on poorly maintained property
- Truck accidents caused by hazardous property conditions
- Burn injuries from fires or unsafe electrical systems
- Spinal cord injuries and spinal injuries resulting from falls or accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries and head injuries due to property hazards
Premises liability cases can also involve defective products and product liability claims when injuries are caused by unsafe products on the property.
In Riverside, building codes, safety standards, and legal requirements are placed on property owners, including the store owner, to maintain the public’s safety. Liability cases can arise when these standards are not met, leading to injuries on public or private property. If you have suffered injuries because a property owner is not following these rules, injured victims may recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses and lost wages.
Property owners can be held liable for any injury caused by hazardous conditions, and injured individuals have the right to pursue compensation.
Who Is Liable in a Premises Accident?
When trying to determine who is liable in a premises accident, you’ll find that many factors complicate the answer, including who controlled the party’s property where the incident happened. It isn’t always as straightforward as it feels like it should be. To figure out who is liable, there are a couple of key questions you should ask:
- Did the property owner know or reasonably should have known about the hazard?
- Did they fail to repair, warn you about, or restrict access to the hazard?
- Can you show the property owner breached their duty of care and that failure caused your injury?
If the answer is yes to all these questions, you likely have a case against the property owner. However, liability can extend to several other parties, and potential responsible parties can include property owners and managers, as well as:
- Landlords
- Business owners
- Property managers
- Government entities
In some cases, both the property owner and other responsible parties, such as security companies, may share liability for the unsafe conditions or injuries. Identifying the responsible party or liable party is essential to pursue compensation for your injuries and establish legal responsibility.
You can even share partial responsibility. Let’s say you were looking down at your phone and texting while you meandered through the grocery store aisle and slipped on a puddle of recently spilled juice. The property owner can blame you because you weren’t paying attention. This does not mean you aren’t eligible for compensation. You can still recover damages in California due to the comparative negligence law. California follows pure comparative negligence in injury claims, so your compensation will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault you are found to hold, but the property owner, or any other negligent party or liable party, can still be held liable. A liability claim can be filed against any party found responsible for the accident.
What Negligence in Property Maintenance Looks Like
Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep the premises safe for visitors and guests. If a property owner has done all they can to provide a safe place for their visitors, then negligence likely hasn’t happened. However, accidents are often a result of negligence in property maintenance, which could include:
- Ignoring broken lights, doors, steps, or other fixtures
- Failing to remove ice and obstacles
- Failure to clean spills or warn visitors of their presence
- Delaying repairs for hazards
- Failing to implement proper security measures
All of these failures can lead to preventable accidents. If you’re a victim of one of these accidents, don’t let the property owner get away with it. Get the compensation you deserve and hold the property owner accountable for their failures. Property owner’s negligence is a key factor in premises liability claims, and a lawyer can investigate the owner’s conduct on your behalf and help prove negligence to pursue your case effectively. If your injury required medical treatment or involved a serious injury, consulting an experienced premises liability attorney is especially important.
Your Legal Rights After a Property Accident in Riverside
Your case starts with filing a personal injury claim. This claim can help you become financially whole again and relieve the stress of the piling bills. You could get compensation for:
- Emergency medical care
- Ongoing medical treatments
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
To recover the full extent of your damages, including medical bills and non-economic losses, you may need to pursue a premises liability claim or file a personal injury lawsuit if the circumstances warrant it.
You can also file an insurance claim if the owner has a liability policy. However, it’s worth noting that insurance companies often undervalue the claims they receive. Seeking prompt medical attention after an accident is crucial for your liability claim, as it helps document your injuries and supports your case. Documenting the accident scene can also strengthen your claim. Evidence may include surveillance footage, maintenance records, and incident reports. They tend to downplay your injuries and argue that there is more fault on your side than there is on the property owner’s. This way, they can get away with a lowball offer or outright denial. This is one of the reasons it’s so important to have an experienced personal injury attorney in Riverside. An experienced attorney will know how to fight back, including countering arguments that blame the injured person for the accident, so you’re not exploited.
Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims
In California premises liability cases, California’s statute of limitations states that you have two years from the accident date to file a premises liability lawsuit, and California allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in standard non-government cases. However, there are exceptions. For instance, if the accident happened on public property or government property, such as a city park or government building, claims against government entities require an administrative claim within six months before a lawsuit can proceed under the California Government Claims Act.
On the other hand, some exceptions can benefit you. For instance, if you are a minor, the time you have to file may not start until you turn eighteen. Under the discovery rule, you may also be eligible for a longer time limit if your injury isn’t discovered until well after the accident. As long as a link can be established from the injury to the accident, your time limit might start at the date of discovery instead of the date of injury.
It’s vital to remember that missing any of these deadlines can result in the courts dismissing your claim, and deadlines differ for public or private property claims. It’s best not to rely on an exception or to wait to act for any reason. Start your claim as soon as possible so you don’t risk losing your right to seek compensation.
Filing a Premises Liability Lawsuit
You may want to wait to file a premises liability lawsuit because it can be overwhelming and complicated. However, it’s best to start your claim immediately, since quick action in a premises liability accident can help preserve evidence and protect your opportunity to seek justice. Because the legal process is complicated, your best option is to seek a lawyer immediately. Our legal team of experienced premises liability attorneys in Riverside will guide you through every step of the process, with the understanding of local laws and procedures that matters in California premises liability cases, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. Once you have one on your side, you can let them handle the legal matters, including meeting any deadlines. Hiring a lawyer can result in:
- A Free Case Review: First, your lawyer will listen to your story and take notes of the unique details. They will review medical records, assess liability, and explain your legal options as they devise a strategy to move forward.
- An Investigation: The second step of working with a lawyer includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, inspecting the scene, and working with expert witnesses where needed. Your lawyer will do the investigation so you can focus on healing. Just be prepared to answer questions if they need your knowledge.
- A Claim Filing: After your lawyer has made their discoveries through an investigation, they will file a formal insurance claim, a legal complaint, or both.
- A Negotiation: In this step, your lawyer will seek a fair settlement with the insurance company for your injuries. You need a lawyer at this point to protect you from accepting a lowball offer without realizing it.
- Litigation: If necessary, your lawyer will represent you in court to secure fair compensation.
The best part about having a lawyer involved in your case is that you don’t have to worry about these steps. It’s their job to know what comes next and complete the necessary steps. It’s your job to heal.
Legal Help for Premises Accident Injuries in Riverside
An injury from an accident on someone else’s property can be life-altering. Whether it’s a small broken bone from a fall or an attack due to a lack of security, you need a team of lawyers who will fight for the compensation you deserve so you can recover from your injuries.
At Dordick Law Corporation, our Riverside personal injury attorneys provide compassionate legal representation for accident victims in Riverside. Our law firm:
- Knows the local court system and property laws
- Works with medical and safety experts to strengthen your claim
- Fights aggressively for full compensation
- Has a proven track record
Plus, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay unless we win money for you. There’s no reason to wait. Contact us now at (310) 341-7176 to schedule your free consultation.
