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WildfiresSanta Monica Premises Liability Attorney
An ordinary day in Santa Monica can change in a single moment. A slip on an unmarked wet floor at a cafe along the Third Street Promenade, a trip over a cracked sidewalk on Wilshire Boulevard, or a fall in a poorly lit parking garage stairwell can leave you facing serious injuries and a mountain of medical bills.
When your injury is the result of a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe environment, you may be left feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. The law, however, provides a path to hold negligent property owners accountable. A trusted Santa Monica premises liability attorney from Olan Law can help you navigate this process and fight for the resources you need to recover.
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Key Takeaways for Santa Monica Premises Liability Lawyer
Property owners in California have a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition to prevent harm to visitors.- Premises liability cases can arise from various incidents, including slip and falls, inadequate security, dog bites, and swimming pool accidents.
- Determining who is at fault can be complex and may involve property owners, managers, tenants, or other third parties.
- Individuals injured due to a property owner’s negligence may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Specific legal elements must be proven to establish a successful premises liability claim, including the owner’s knowledge of the hazard and their failure to act.
- The type of visitor (invitee, licensee, or trespasser) can affect the specific duties owed by a property owner, though California law emphasizes a general duty of reasonable care for all.
Why Choose Olan Law for Your Premises Liability Claim?
When you are recovering from an injury, choosing a legal team to stand by your side is a significant decision. At Olan Law, we understand the trust you place in us, and we honor it with unwavering dedication and compassionate guidance. For over 25 years, our firm has served the Southern California community, helping clients navigate the complexities of personal injury claims with clarity and strength. As a boutique firm, we provide the direct and personal attention that your case deserves. You are not just a case number to us; you are a neighbor in need of support.
Our approach combines personal service with a determined pursuit of justice. We are prepared to meet a challenge head-on, advocating for your interests at every turn. Here are a few reasons why families in Santa Monica and Long Beach trust Olan Law:
- Decades of Focused Experience: Our team brings a deep understanding of California personal injury law, honed over more than two decades of representing clients.
- Direct Attorney Access: We prioritize communication. You will have a direct line to your attorney and our support staff, ensuring you are informed and involved in all key decisions.
- A Record of Results: Our history of securing significant settlements and verdicts demonstrates our ability to build strong cases and fight effectively for our clients.
We believe that every client deserves a team that is not only skilled in the courtroom but also genuinely cares about their well-being.
What is Premises Liability?
You may have heard the term “slip and fall,” but that is just one small part of a broader legal area known as premises liability. Premises liability is the legal concept that holds property owners and managers responsible for injuries that happen on their property due to an unsafe or defective condition. This principle is based on the idea that property owners have a “duty of care,” which is a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe for others.
When a property owner fails to meet this duty of care, their actions (or lack of action) are often considered negligence. Negligence simply means carelessness. If this carelessness causes someone to get hurt, the negligent property owner can be held financially responsible for the resulting damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain. This applies to all kinds of properties, from private homes in the Sunset Park neighborhood to large retail centers like Santa Monica Place.
Past Case Results
Settlement
$405,000
SETTLEMENT in a premises liability case for the family of a little girl who drowned in a swimming pool.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Unsafe conditions can exist anywhere and take many forms. A hazard that seems minor to a property owner can cause a life-altering injury to an unsuspecting visitor. Our firm handles a wide range of cases stemming from a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe environment.
Some common examples of premises liability claims include:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Caused by wet floors, spilled liquids, freshly waxed surfaces, or weather-related hazards like ice or rain tracked indoors without proper mats.
- Trip and Fall Incidents: Resulting from broken pavement, uneven sidewalks, torn carpeting, clutter in walkways, or poor lighting.
- Inadequate Security: Injuries caused by criminal acts (like assaults or robberies) that could have been prevented with proper security measures, such as working locks, adequate lighting in parking garages, or security personnel.
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: Owners are often held responsible when their pet injures someone, whether on their property or off.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: These can involve drownings or other serious injuries due to a lack of proper fencing, broken gates, or failure to supervise.
- Elevator and Escalator Malfunctions: Poorly maintained elevators or escalators can cause sudden stops, falls, or other accidents.
- Fires or Flooding: Injuries resulting from building code violations, faulty wiring, or a failure to maintain plumbing systems.
These are just a few examples, and many other dangerous conditions can lead to a valid premises liability claim.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Santa Monica, CA Premises Liability Case?
Figuring out who is legally responsible for an injury on a property can be more complicated than it seems. While the property owner is often the responsible party, they are not the only one. Multiple people or entities could share the blame, depending on the circumstances.
For instance, if you are injured at a retail store on the Third Street Promenade, several parties could be liable. The business that rents the space has a duty to keep its store safe for customers. At the same time, the owner of the building itself has a responsibility to maintain common areas like stairwells, parking lots, and elevators. In some cases, a third-party company, like a cleaning service or a security firm, could also be at fault if their negligence contributed to the accident.
Potential at-fault parties in a Santa Monica premises liability case can include:
- Homeowners
- Landlords or property owners
- Business owners or tenants
- Property management companies
- Parent corporations
- Contractors or maintenance crews
An experienced premises liability attorney in Santa Monica can investigate the incident thoroughly to identify all potentially liable parties, which is a crucial step in ensuring you can pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to.
Hear From Our Clients
Compensation Available in a Premises Liability Lawsuit
An injury can create significant financial and personal hardships. A premises liability lawsuit aims to help you recover compensation, legally known as “damages,” for these losses. The goal is to make you “whole” again, at least from a financial standpoint. In California, you may be able to recover compensation for two main types of damages.
The first type is economic damages. These are the tangible, out-of-pocket financial losses you have suffered because of your injury. They are straightforward to calculate and can be proven with bills, receipts, and pay stubs.
Economic damages may include:
- Medical Bills: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit and ambulance ride to hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care you may need.
- Lost Wages: If your injury forced you to miss work, you can be compensated for the income you lost during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injury is severe enough to permanently affect your ability to work or force you into a lower-paying job, you can seek compensation for this loss of future income.
The second type is non-economic damages. These are intangible losses that do not have a specific price tag but are just as real and devastating. They are meant to compensate you for the human cost of your injury.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort you have endured.
- Emotional Distress: This can include anxiety, depression, fear, and other psychological impacts of the trauma.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury prevents you from participating in hobbies, activities, or relationships that you once enjoyed.
Our legal team works carefully to document the full scope of your losses to build a comprehensive claim that reflects the true impact the injury has had on your life.
Contact Our Trusted Santa Monica Premises Liability Attorneys Today
After suffering a serious injury due to a property owner’s negligence, you should not have to face powerful insurance companies and complex legal procedures on your own. At Olan Law, we are here to lift that burden from your shoulders. We will stand by your side, handle the legal details, and fight for the resources you need to heal and move forward. Our commitment is to provide you with the professional, compassionate, and results-focused representation you deserve.
When you work with our firm, we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to gather evidence and identify all liable parties.
- Manage all communications with insurance companies and opposing counsel on your behalf.
- Work with you to calculate the full extent of your damages, including future needs.
- Build a strong, persuasive case designed to achieve a fair settlement or verdict.
You will be involved in all key decisions, but we will do the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else’s property in Santa Monica or Long Beach, contact Olan Law today at (310) 566-0010 or through our online form. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and explain your legal options. Let us help you seek justice and accountability.
Settlement
$8 Million +
SETTLEMENT in a product liability case against a tire manufacturer for defective tires which caused a blowout and against an automobile manufacturer for seat belt failure to restrain a passenger in a sports utility vehicle.
Settllement
$3 Million +
SETTLEMENT in a product liability case against a pharmaceutical company for the defective diet pill Phen Fen.
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Santa Monica Premises Liability FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions we receive about premises liability claims in Santa Monica.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including premises liability, is generally two years from the date of the injury. If you do not file a lawsuit within this time frame, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation. There are some exceptions, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What if I am partially at fault for my accident?
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for your accident. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 20%.
What kind of evidence is important in a premises liability case?
Strong evidence is crucial. Important items include photographs or videos of the hazardous condition and your injuries, contact information for any witnesses, a copy of the incident report if one was filed, and all of your medical records and bills. It is also helpful to keep a journal detailing your pain levels and how the injury is affecting your daily life.
Do I have to go to court for a premises liability claim?
Most personal injury cases, including premises liability claims, are settled out of court through negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney must be prepared to take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What if I was injured at a public park like Palisades Park?
Suing a government entity, such as the City of Santa Monica, involves different rules and much shorter deadlines. You typically must file a formal notice of claim with the government agency within six months of the injury. Failing to meet this strict deadline can prevent you from ever filing a lawsuit. These cases are complex, and guidance from an attorney is highly recommended.