Premises liability refers to the duty that a property owner has towards those who enter the property. A duty arises when a person is injured because of something hazardous on or near the property, such as an uneven sidewalk leading to a broken ankle or excessive ice and snow around buildings which lead to slips and falls. Property owners have a duty to exercise reasonable care in administering their premises so that visitors are not injured by unsafe conditions.
The basic rule of premises liability is “you break it, you buy it.” This means that if someone gets hurt on your property then you’re going to be responsible for paying damages unless you can prove they were at fault for the accident. So, when you are injured on another individual’s property, you better hire a Los Angeles premises liability attorney to prove that you were not at fault and that the owner is to blame.
What are the Most Common Types of Premises Liability Cases in Los Angeles?
1. Slip and fall
One of the most common and simplest premises liability cases occurs when a guest or visitor trips and falls. If a property owner knows of a dangerous condition at the time of the accident and neglects to warn the individual, then that owner could be found liable in a premises liability claim. Typical examples include wet floors, uneven sidewalks, snow and ice on stairs or steps, holes in walkways, broken handrails on staircases, and floor mats with missing or dislodged pads.
2. Dog bites
When a person is attacked by a neighbor’s dog, the property owner could be liable because they knew the dog had vicious tendencies but failed to take action. Dogs are considered personal property so the owner will not be held liable for injuries if the victim was trespassing or was not on the owner’s premises.
3. Insufficient security
When a property owner fails to protect their visitors from injury by providing adequate security measures, the owner may be held liable. A landlord has a duty to uphold the standard of keeping their premises safe. For example, they must employ security guards at a business or hire a well-lit parking lot with a security gate at night.
4. Defective stairs and railings
An individual may become injured while walking down a stairway or passing through a dark corridor if the stairs, railings, floorboards, or other obstacles are defective. In addition, property owners must provide adequate lighting in order to make it safe for visitors and employees to navigate the facilities.
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