When you visit a store, restaurant, hotel, or any other property, you have every right to expect a safe environment. In reality, however, property owners and managers don’t always fulfill their responsibility to maintain safe premises. From wet floors and crumbling stairs to inadequate security and poor lighting, dangerous conditions can lead to severe injuries that instantly disrupt every aspect of your life. Injured individuals often face substantial medical bills, lost income, and significant pain and suffering — all while property owners and their insurance companies scheme to shirk their legal and ethical responsibility to the victims.
At Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, our San Mateo premises liability lawyers understand how difficult life can become after being injured on someone else’s property. We have over four decades of protecting the rights of injured individuals throughout California. In that time, we have secured numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries for our clients while fighting to hold negligent property owners accountable. Our professional, aggressive, and knowledgeable attorneys will stand by your side during this challenging time.
Contact CHM Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options. You pay nothing unless we recover money for your injury claim.
Why You Should Hire a San Mateo Premises Liability Attorney
After suffering an injury on someone else’s property, you may wonder if you need an attorney or if you can handle the claim yourself. A San Mateo premises liability attorney from CHM Law Firm provides critical advantages that significantly impact your case’s outcome, such as the following:
- Immediately investigating and documenting dangerous conditions before they’re repaired or modified
- Working with safety experts, engineers, and medical professionals to establish causation and liability
- Using our sharp negotiation skills to counter insurance companies’ tactics designed to minimize your settlement
- Building your premises liability case as if it will go to trial, strengthening your position during settlement talks
- Connecting you with medical specialists and support services to facilitate your recovery
Our premises liability lawyer in San Mateo takes on a limited number of cases, which allows us to dedicate significant attention to your situation. This selective approach allows us to build stronger cases and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Pursue in a Premises Liability Case?
A successful premises liability claim can provide substantial compensation for both the specific and intangible losses you suffered due to the accident. Depending on the nature of your case, we may be able to help you recover money for the following
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation
- Lost income during recovery and diminished future earning capacity
- Physical pain and discomfort resulting from your injuries
- Emotional distress and psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries have diminished your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed
- Disfigurement, such as permanent scarring or other visible injuries
- Loss of consortium if the accident has had an adverse impact on your relationship with your spouse or partner
- Property damage, if any personal items were damaged in the accident
The premises liability compensation you will be eligible to recover depends on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, your age, your pre-injury occupation, and the clarity of liability. At CHM Law Firm, we have experience in maximizing recovery for accident victims who suffered injuries due to property owners’ and management companies’ negligence. Schedule a free consultation with us today to discover how our lawyers can demand the money you deserve.
Who Is Responsible for an Injury in a Premises Liability Case?
Identifying all responsible parties is crucial to maximizing your compensation. Potentially liable parties include the following people or entities:
- Property owners tend to be the primary party responsible for maintaining safe premises.
- Businesses that operate on the property may share responsibility.
- Property management companies may be contracted to maintain the property.
- Security companies might be liable in negligent security cases.
- Maintenance contractors can be at fault if they have been hired to address hazardous conditions.
- Government entities might bear responsibility for accidents on public property, but these claims are subject to special filing requirements.
Under California law, these parties have a duty of care to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. The specific standard of care varies based on the visitor’s status (invitee, licensee, or trespasser) but generally requires the following:
- Regular inspections to identify hazards
- Timely repairs of dangerous conditions
- Adequate warnings about known hazards that haven’t been repaired
- Proper security measures in areas with foreseeable criminal activity
Our dedicated attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to identify every party that may share responsibility for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in California?
In California, strict deadlines apply to premises liability claims. You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a premises liability lawsuit. Some cases, including those involving minor victims, may have extended deadlines. However, if your case involves a public entity, you must file a formal claim within six months.
Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover compensation through the court system, regardless of how strong your case may be. Additionally, evidence tends to disappear and witnesses’ memories fade over time, making prompt action essential to building a strong case.
What Are Common Types of Premises Liability?
The term “premises liability” encompasses a wide range of accidents and incidents, including:
- Slip-and-fall accidents caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor maintenance
- Dog bites that result when property owners fail to control dangerous animals
- Inadequate security that leads to assaults or other criminal acts that could have been prevented
- Swimming pool accidents, including drownings, falls, and diving injuries
- Elevator or escalator accidents that occur due to improper maintenance or malfunction
- Stairway falls resulting from broken steps, missing handrails, or poor lighting
- Ceiling or deck collapses from structural defects or overloading
- Fire and smoke injuries due to inadequate fire safety measures
- Toxic exposure to chemicals, mold, asbestos, or other harmful substances
- Uneven pavement that creates tripping hazards on walkways and parking lots
- Falling merchandise due to improper stacking in retail establishments
- Negligent security that fails to provide adequate protection in areas with known risks
- Assault, when property owners don’t address foreseeable criminal activity
Our firm has extensive experience handling all types of premises liability claims and can develop a strategy tailored to your specific situation.
What Are Common Places Where Premises Liability Accidents Occur?
Premises liability accidents can happen virtually anywhere, but some locations present higher risks:
- Grocery stores due to hazards like spilled liquids and fallen produce
- Restaurants because of kitchen spills, crowded dining areas, and dimly lit spaces
- Shopping malls due to high foot traffic and frequently changing displays
- Hotels because of unfamiliar surroundings, wet bathroom floors, and inadequate security
- Apartment complexes due to poor maintenance in common areas like stairways, hallways, and pools
- Office buildings because of torn carpeting, cords, and other obstacles that can cause trips and falls
- Parking lots and garages due to poor lighting, uneven surfaces, and criminal activity
- Swimming pools because of a lack of proper supervision and safety features
- Amusement parks due to multiple hazards, such as rides, attractions, and crowded walkways
- Nightclubs and bars because of crowded conditions, alcohol, and inadequate security
- Construction sites due to hazards such as falling objects and open excavations
Our attorneys understand the unique legal challenges associated with each of these environments and can build your case accordingly.
What Are Common Injuries Someone Can Sustain in a Premises Liability Accident?
Premises liability accidents can cause injuries such as:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (potentially resulting in paralysis)
- Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Burns from fires, hot surfaces, or chemicals
- Drowning and near-drowning injuries in pools
- Electrical injuries from faulty wiring or exposed electrical components
- Toxic exposure illnesses from chemicals or mold
- Psychological trauma (especially in cases involving assaults or witnessing traumatic events)
The severity of these injuries can often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and sometimes lifelong care. Our attorneys often work with medical experts to document the full extent of our clients’ injuries and how their lives are impacted.
