Premises Liability Lawyers in Encino

Fighting to Hold Reckless Property Owners Accountable

No one starts their day expecting to suffer an injury. Even if you are safety-conscious and usually avoid mishaps, a property owner’s negligence can cause you to suffer a serious injury. It can be particularly distressing when a negligent property owner fails to maintain safe premises, causing you to sustain injuries.

If you’re legally present on the property owned by another party, you should be safe from harm. If the owners fail to ensure safe premises and you sustain injuries, a premises liability lawyer in Encino, CA, should evaluate your case immediately.

Your Right to Compensation: Do You Have a Claim?

At V&A Law Firm, our team of personal injury lawyers in Encino ensures that those we represent can achieve justice and full compensation for all damages. Whether you were injured when visiting an apartment building while grocery shopping or visiting a friend, you may have a valid legal claim. Our premises liability attorney can help you understand your rights and actions to proceed with your claim or lawsuit. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.

Common Types of Premises Liability Claims Encino

At V&A Law Firm, we handle a wide range of premises liability cases throughout Encino and surrounding areas. Common claims include:

Slip and Fall Accidents: These accidents can result from wet or slippery walking surfaces, uneven floors, lack of lighting, or a failure to post warnings when dangerous conditions exist.
Trip and Fall Hazards: Loose carpeting, broken tiles, uneven floors, items left in hallways or stairways, and broken sidewalks can cause a serious or deadly trip and fall accident.
Inadequate Security: Property owners may be liable if they fail to provide security to protect visitors to their property. A lack of security personnel at malls, sports venues, bars, parking lots, and other locations can put visitors at risk of an assault or worse.
Dog Bites: Dog owners are responsible for controlling their pets in the home, on the property, or in the neighborhood to ensure the dog does not harm visitors or those walking in the area.
Swimming Pool Accidents: When a pool does not have the required fencing, locking gates, or updated pool drain systems, it can lead to drowning or near-drowning with severe consequences, often involving children.
Elevator and Escalator Malfunctions: A mechanical failure on an elevator or escalator can lead to serious injuries to visitors to an office building, government facility, mall, or other location equipped with these systems.
Falling Objects: Heavy objects falling off retail outlet shelves, plummeting from a business’s ceilings, or falling on construction sites can lead to head or brain injuries that often bring long-term consequences.
Toxic Exposure: Visitors, residents, or employees exposed to harmful smoke, chemicals, gases, black mold, or other hazardous materials on a property can face long-term health issues.

Every premises liability claim has unique facts and circumstances. Our team of personal injury lawyers can perform a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties and file a claim or lawsuit to seek compensation.

What Are Premises Liability Laws in California?

Premises liability law states that property owners can be held liable for injuries or accidents on their premises. Private property owners could be held liable for injuries to friends, workers, or others legally present at a home or other private property. Commercial property owners must maintain safe premises, whether an office building, retail outlet, movie theater, or other venue. When they fail to keep visitors and patrons safe from harm, they can be held accountable by filing a claim or lawsuit.

In California, the law outlines the rules regarding property safety. The state laws are based on general negligence principles—the injured party will be required to prove a property owner acted negligently.

Who is Liable? The Elements of a Premises Liability Case in Encino

To succeed in a premises liability claim, the injured person must establish:

The defendant owned, leased, occupied, or controlled the property.
The defendant was negligent in the use or maintenance of the property.
The plaintiff suffered harm as a result.
The defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing that harm.

Under California law, property owners have a “duty of care.” They must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. They must either repair hazardous conditions or provide visitors or guests with adequate warnings.

This duty applies not only to guests (invitees) but also to people who enter the property for their own purposes (licensees) and, in some rare cases, even trespassers—particularly children under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. This doctrine is the legal concept that children are naturally attracted to certain features on a property, such as pools, trampolines, wood piles, sand piles, and other areas that attract children onto a property, even if they are trespassing.

Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases in Encino

Injuries caused by unsafe property conditions range from mild to life-altering, depending on the type of hazard encountered and the circumstances surrounding the accident. At V&A Law Firm, we regularly represent clients in Encino who have suffered serious harm due to property owner negligence. Common injuries in premises liability cases include:

Broken Bones: Often caused by slips, trips, or falls on uneven or poorly maintained walking surfaces.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A TBI can result from falling objects, a slip and fall, or striking the head in a fall. Unfortunately, a fall can result in long-term cognitive impairments, mobility problems, or worse.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the neck or back can damage the spinal cord, affecting mobility. In the most serious cases, these injuries can leave a victim facing a lifetime of challenges due to paralysis, either paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and torn ligaments may not be visible but may require many months of treatment to resolve and leave the victim with long-term pain.
Cuts and Lacerations: Sharp edges, broken glass, or other hazards can lead to deep wounds that leave permanent scars and require extensive medical intervention.
Burns or Electrical Injuries: Faulty wiring, exposed electrical components, or faulty heating systems could leave a victim with severe burns and scarring that may be challenging or impossible to resolve fully.
Drowning or Near-Drowning Incidents: These tragic cases can occur due to unsecured pools, broken gate latches, or poorly supervised swimming pools.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Cases of assaults due to inadequate security or other very traumatic accidents can result in long-term psychological damages.

Regardless of the type or severity of your injury, our team is here to help you pursue accountability and financial recovery.

Were You Injured on the Property Owned by Another Party?

In California, the rights of an injury victim will reflect the individual’s status on a property:

Invitees: When someone is on a property for a public or business purpose, property owners owe them a high level of care. For instance, a store owner must provide safe conditions for their customers.
Licensees: If someone enters a property for non-business or social purposes, they’re considered a licensee. These parties include friends and guests. Property owners also owe a duty of care to these individuals.
Trespassers: If someone is on a property without permission, they’re considered a trespasser. Property owners owe the lowest level of care to these individuals. Trespassers could still be liable for injuries if conditions were present geared to cause harm to a trespasser.

Premises liability cases can be very complex to resolve. The insurance company for the property owner could claim the injured party was not invited to the premises, that the victim’s actions contributed to the accident, that the injuries sustained were less severe than is claimed, or that the individual had a pre-existing condition. Speak with a premises liability lawyer in Encino, CA, today to find out if your injury case could allow you to recover financial compensation for all losses.

What Damages Could Be Paid in a Premises Liability Accident?

Our team of premises liability attorneys in Encino, CA, will fight for every penny you deserve. It can be risky to negotiate with an insurance company on your own—you may not be aware of all the damages you are entitled to pursue. If you’ve been injured due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. In a California premises liability claim, damages are in three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic Damages:

Medical Expenses: Current and future medical costs, including hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medications.
Lost Wages: Income lost due to time away from work, as well as loss of future earning capacity if the injury results in long-term impairments.
Out-of-Pocket Costs: Expenses related to transportation, medical equipment, or home modifications necessary because of the injury.

Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and impact on quality of life.
Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, or psychological trauma resulting from the accident.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed due to the injury.

Punitive Damages:

In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded when a property owner engages in conduct that poses a serious risk to visitors, employees, or guests. Punitive damages are rarely paid, but in cases in which a property owner knowingly allowed a severe threat to human health to exist and tried to hide it or allow it to continue, it may be possible to seek these damages.

At V&A Law Firm, we work to accurately calculate the full extent of your damages and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.

FAQ: Premises Liability Claims in Encino

How do I know if I have a valid premises liability claim?

If you were injured on someone else’s property due to a hazardous condition that the owner knew about, or should have known about, you may have a valid claim. Our team can evaluate your case in a free 15-minute case evaluation.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

California has a comparative negligence rule, allowing injured victims to recover compensation even when they are partially responsible. The total amount paid in damages is reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to you.

How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in California?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. When a property is owned by a government entity, you have as little as six months to take legal action. In either case, it is crucial to act fast.

What should I do after a premises liability accident?

Ensure you have a medical evaluation immediately and follow all medical advice regarding treatment. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and, if possible, document the scene with photos and gather eyewitness contact information. Do not engage in conversations with an insurance adjuster until you’ve consulted with an attorney. Your words could be used against you in a claim.

Do I need a lawyer to handle my claim?

While you can technically file a claim without legal representation, property owners and insurance companies can push back hard. A skilled attorney can protect your rights, gather evidence, and pursue the maximum compensation for you.

How much does it cost to hire V&A Law Firm?

We work on a contingency fee basis—no legal fees unless we win compensation for you. We aim to make high-quality legal representation accessible to everyone from every walk of the Encino community.

The V&A Law Firm Difference: Why Choose Us?

At V&A Law Firm, we bring experience, strategy, and dedication to every premises liability case we take on. Our personal injury attorneys have seen the physical, emotional, and financial toll inflicted on innocent people. We are committed to helping our clients recover all the monetary compensation they are entitled to under California law.

Personalized Representation: We never approach premises liability claims with a fast, impersonal, one-size-fits-all approach. Our lawyers take all the time needed to understand the details of the case, the extent of the injuries and the impact on your life, and the financial losses suffered as a result of the accident.
Thorough Investigation: From reviewing surveillance footage to interviewing eyewitnesses and calling on safety experts, we build a strong case supported by solid evidence.
Aggressive Negotiations: We handle all communications with the insurance company for the property owner and fight for a settlement that reflects the actual, true value of the premises liability case.
Trial-Ready Advocacy: If a fair settlement is not forthcoming within a reasonable time frame, we are fully prepared to bring a lawsuit to advocate for your right to fair compensation to a jury in civil court.
Local Insight: As a firm based in Encino, we understand the nuances of local property standards, building codes, and the local environment and court personnel that could impact the outcome of a claim.
Languages: We offer legal counsel in English, Spanish, and Farsi.

When you work with V&A Law Firm, you’re not just getting legal representation—you’re gaining a team that genuinely cares about helping you rebuild your life. Contact V&A Law Firm today to discuss your case and determine how to move forward best.

Contact Our Premises Liability Lawyers in Encino Today

Settlement negotiations can allow for a faster resolution. Some premises liability cases will require filing a lawsuit to achieve justice and fair compensation for an injury or a case of wrongful death. Having an experienced legal professional on your side is essential. Questions of who’s at fault (e.g., property owners vs. tenants), levels of culpability, visitor status, and other concerns could complicate these matters. Don’t try to navigate these complex issues on your own.

At V&A Law Firm, our California personal injury attorneys are here to help. We’ve seen what can happen when public and private property owners engage in negligent or wrongful acts. Such reckless behavior could lead to permanent injuries, and even when harm is relatively minor, it can still create significant disruption to a person’s life. Contact us today by calling 818-369-3270 to schedule your free consultation. Our premises liability lawyers in Encino, CA, will review your case and help you understand all your options.