Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Whether you are at the grocery store, work, a park, a hotel or Airbnb, or an amusement park in California, you have the right to expect a reasonably safe premises. Unfortunately, property owners often shirk their responsibilities – leading to unsafe properties and serious or fatal premises liability accidents.
Slip and Fall Accidents
One of the most common types of premises liability cases filed in Los Angeles is the slip and fall claim. Falls are a leading cause of hospitalizations in California. A slip or trip and fall accident can occur due to a number of property hazards:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Dropped food or drinks
- A lack of warning signs posted
- Rain or weather conditions
- Faulty staircases
- Uneven curbs or sidewalks
- Loose floor mats
- Exposed cords
- Inadequate lighting
If the owner or controller of a property fails to detect and fix a slip and fall hazard within a reasonable amount of time, an injured accident victim may be eligible for financial compensation from the owner’s property insurance policy.
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Negligent Security
It is a property owner’s legal responsibility in California to ensure a proper degree of safety on his or her premises by taking reasonable security measures. This definition can vary based on the location and level of criminal activity in the area, but may include security cameras, guards, signs and lights. Negligent security by a property owner increases the odds of criminal attacks, assaults and robberies.
Escalator and Elevator Accidents
Faulty or defective elevators and escalators can cause catastrophic and fatal injuries to visitors. Malls, airports, amusement parks and other properties with escalators must ensure they are in proper working order at all times. Owners of elevators must also have them inspected and maintained frequently to prevent falls, entrapment and other disasters.
Child Injuries
Locations that offer childcare, such as schools and daycare centers, are held to high standards of care when it comes to ensuring child safety. If a child is exposed to hazardous conditions such as swimming pools, aggressive dogs or animals, hot objects or steam, open staircases, or abuse or neglect, the owner of the property can be held legally responsible.
Toxic Exposure
Being exposed to certain chemicals or substances in the workplace, your school or your home can lead to serious adverse health effects. Exposure to asbestos present in building materials, for example, can cause various cancers and lung diseases. If a property owner knew or should have known of the risks associated with a toxin on the premises, he or she could face liability for failing to prevent related toxic exposure events.
Do You Have a Premises Liability Claim?
In California, property owners have a legal responsibility or duty of care to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors (everyone except trespassers). Breaching or failing to meet this duty of care is a type of negligence that can expose the property owner to a premises liability claim filed by an injured victim.
A successful case against a negligent property owner could lead to compensation for your present and future hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. To discuss a potential premises liability case with a knowledgeable attorney, contact an injury lawyer in Los Angeles at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP for a free initial consultation.