Premises liability comes into play when a person suffers a personal injury on the property of another party because that party was negligent or somehow caused the accident or injury.
If you or your loved one was injured on someone else’s premises, an experienced El Cajon premises liability lawyer can help you seek compensation. Contact an experienced liability attorney for help today with your case.
Duties of Premises Owners in El Cajon
Property owners in California have a duty to keep and maintain their property in safe working condition so that their customers, visitors, and guests are not exposed to unreasonable hazards. They are also responsible for inspecting their property regularly for potential hazards.
If a property owner becomes aware of a hazard or potential danger on their premises, they should take steps to fix the problem, as well as warn anyone they expect to encounter the hazard. One common example of this is a wet floor sign displayed after mopping a commercial location.
Invitees and Licensees
Some states distinguish between invitees, meaning invited guests, and licensees, who may enter the property legally even though they have not been expressly invited. For instance, utility workers are one example of licensees, because they are not expressly invited guests but may still enter a property to perform their duties. El Cajon, California requires property owners to put forth at least a reasonable duty of care to both invitees and licensees.
Comparative Negligence in Premises Liability Cases
California laws tend to be generous towards victims seeking compensation for injuries that occurred on another party’s premises. Premises liability law in El Cajon follows what is known as the comparative negligence doctrine, which allows those injured on another party’s property to seek personal injury damages. However, the damage award may be reduced by the percentage of fault the victim had in bringing about the injury.
Under the comparative negligence doctrine, victims are prohibited from seeking compensation, even if they had a hand in contributing to their own injury. Unlike some other locations, in El Cajon compensation is still available even if a court determines the plaintiff’s own negligence was responsible for a majority of the fault in bringing about the injury or accident.
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Common Premises Liability Scenarios
There are many scenarios that could lead to premises liability claims against a property owner. Any type of injury suffered on the property could potentially land the property owner in court or in settlement negotiations. Some common examples of premises liability circumstances include:
- Wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting or debris that can lead to slip and fall accidents
- Poor security that makes the premises vulnerable
- Potholes and road hazards
- Fires, explosions, electrocution, toxin exposure and burns
- Swimming pool accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Elevator and escalator injuries
Consult an El Cajon Premises Liability Attorney Today
Regardless of how serious your injuries may be, or whether you believe you are partially at fault, an experienced El Cajon personal injury attorney could help analyze whether you have a claim and help advise you on how to seek compensation. Call today to get started.