Property Hazards and Proving Negligence
There may be a hole in the floor, a slippery spill, or a dangerously loose fixture overhead. If a property owner knew of these hazards and didn’t bother to fix them and then you get injured, you have the right to seek damages. Talking to a local attorney might be an important first step. An attorney can be a great help in collecting evidence for the immediate task of proving negligence on the part of the owner. According to California law, an owner is held to a “duty of care” standard to ensure a visitor's safety. Negligence of these duties can be demonstrated if any of these factors can be proven:- The property owner created a hazardous condition.
- The property owner or manager knew about the hazardous condition or should have known about the hazardous condition.
- The property owner or manager failed to remedy a known hazardous condition.
- The property owner or manager failed to warn visitors of a possibly hazardous condition.
- The hazardous condition caused your injury.
Typical Premises Liability Accidents
The hazards at any location can extend well beyond a misstep or a stubbed toe. Negligence on the part of an owner can lead to life-altering pain and injury. Some of the most common premises liability claims include the following:- Slips and falls (water, oil or other liquid on floor; snow or ice buildup, etc.)
- Trips and falls (Debris on the floor/in the parking lot, rug or floor damage, a lack of handrails or warnings, etc.)
- Dog bites (A property owner may know that a dog is aggressive and dangerous)
- Swimming pool accidents (lack of proper barrier, fencing or sign warning against diving, etc.)
- Amusement park and Water park accidents (Rides get inspected, but can still injure park guests)
- Burns and electrocution (faulty wiring, hot liquids, fires, etc.)
- Security Lapses (if you are assaulted or robbed due to poor security measures)
- Falling merchandise (improper stacking or shelving, etc.)