California Premises Liability Lawyers

Property owners and businesses in California have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors, guests, customers, and others who are lawfully on the property. When they fail to fix hazards, provide adequate warnings, or take reasonable safety measures, people get hurt in preventable accidents. The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez represents injured people throughout California in premises liability claims involving unsafe property conditions.

Premises liability cases include more than slip and fall accidents. They can involve unsafe flooring, broken stairs, poor lighting, inadequate security, falling objects, dangerous walkways, defective railings, and other conditions that create an unreasonable risk of harm. This page explains how California premises liability claims work, what must be proven, what evidence matters most, and what steps help protect your rights.

The video below explains premises liability in plain language, including the duty of property owners, how notice of a dangerous condition is proven, and what to do after an injury on someone else’s property. If you are unsure whether you have a claim, this overview is a helpful starting point.

What Is Premises Liability in California?

Premises liability is a type of personal injury claim based on unsafe property conditions. In general, a property owner, operator, manager, or business must take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe. When a dangerous condition exists and someone is injured as a result, the responsible parties may be liable for the harm caused.

These cases often come down to a few key questions: What was the dangerous condition? Who was responsible for maintaining or controlling the area? Did the responsible party know or should they have known about the hazard? And did the hazard cause the injury and resulting damages?

Common Premises Liability Hazards

Unsafe conditions can exist in stores, restaurants, hotels, apartments, parking lots, stairwells, sidewalks, and private homes. Common hazards include:

• Wet or slippery floors without adequate warnings
• Uneven surfaces, potholes, broken sidewalks, and defective walkways
• Loose carpeting, torn flooring, and trip hazards
• Broken stairs, missing handrails, and unstable railings
• Poor lighting in hallways, stairwells, and parking areas
• Falling merchandise or objects from shelves and displays
• Unsafe entryways, thresholds, and transitions between surfaces
• Hazards created by ongoing repairs, construction, or poor maintenance
• Inadequate security in areas where crime is foreseeable

What Must Be Proven in a Premises Liability Claim?

In many cases, the injured person must show that a dangerous condition existed and that the responsible party failed to take reasonable steps to fix it or warn about it. Evidence often focuses on how long the hazard existed, whether it was foreseeable, and whether inspections and maintenance were reasonable under the circumstances.

Important evidence can include incident reports, surveillance video, witness statements, photographs, measurements, maintenance records, inspection logs, prior complaints, and medical documentation. Acting quickly can help preserve evidence before it is repaired, cleaned up, or deleted.

Who Can Be Liable?

Liability is not always limited to the property owner. Depending on the facts, potentially responsible parties may include:

• Property owners and landlords
• Businesses and commercial tenants
• Property management companies
• Maintenance and cleaning contractors
• Security companies and personnel
• Homeowners and associations (HOAs)

Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases

Property-related accidents can cause serious injuries, especially when a fall occurs on a hard surface or from stairs. Common injuries include:

• Fractures and broken bones (wrist, ankle, hip)
• Back and neck injuries, herniated discs, and nerve damage
• Head injuries, concussion, and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Knee and shoulder injuries, including tears and joint damage
• Deep bruising, lacerations, and scarring

Compensation Available

The value of a premises liability claim depends on the severity of injury, medical treatment, future care needs, lost income, and how the injury affects daily life. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and future medical care
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and reduced quality of life
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability, scarring, or impairment

What to Do After an Injury on Someone Else’s Property

• Report the incident to management or the property owner immediately
• Request that an incident report be completed
• Take photos or video of the hazard and surrounding area
• Collect witness names and contact information
• Preserve shoes and clothing worn at the time of the incident
• Get medical evaluation promptly
• Avoid recorded statements or signing releases before legal advice

Frequently Asked Questions About Premises Liability

Is a slip and fall the same as premises liability?

Slip and fall cases are a common type of premises liability claim, but premises liability also includes many other unsafe property conditions such as broken stairs, poor lighting, falling objects, and negligent security.

Do I have to prove the property owner had notice of the hazard?

In many cases, yes. Notice can be shown by evidence that the owner knew about the hazard, was told about it, created it, or should have discovered it through reasonable inspections.

What if the hazard was “open and obvious”?

A property owner may still be responsible even if a condition is visible, especially if it creates an unreasonable risk of harm or if people are likely to encounter it while using the property as intended.

What if I was partially at fault?

California uses comparative fault. You may still recover damages even if you share some fault, although compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

How long do I have to bring a claim?

Deadlines depend on the facts and who is involved. Waiting can also cause evidence to disappear. The safest approach is to seek legal guidance as soon as possible.

Why Choose The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez?

Premises liability cases often require quick evidence preservation and a careful investigation. Our firm focuses on identifying all responsible parties, documenting the unsafe condition, preserving proof before it is repaired or deleted, and pursuing fair compensation. You will work directly with an attorney. There are no upfront fees—you pay nothing unless we win.

Free Consultation – California Premises Liability Lawyer

If you were injured because a property owner or business failed to keep the premises safe, do not wait to get help. Evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies often move fast to minimize claims. Early legal guidance can help preserve proof and put you in the strongest position to recover fair compensation.

The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez represents injured people throughout California in premises liability cases, including slip and fall, trip and fall, hotel and motel injuries, apartment and condo injuries, and negligent security claims. Call today for a free consultation. There are no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Free Consultation – California Premises Liability Lawyer

If you were injured because a property owner or business failed to keep the premises safe, do not wait to get help. Evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies often move fast to minimize claims. Early legal guidance can help preserve proof and put you in the strongest position to recover fair compensation.

The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez represents injured people throughout California in premises liability cases, including slip and fall, trip and fall, hotel and motel injuries, apartment and condo injuries, and negligent security claims. Call today for a free consultation. There are no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.