Premises Liability : Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Under the law, what is considered as Premises Liability?

A: Simply put, premises liability refers to the law holds the owner of a property responsible for any injuries that are inflicted upon any other individuals while they are on that property. When a property owner is negligent and an injury occurs, a premises liability lawsuit may result.

Q: How do I know if I have a potential Premises Liability lawsuit?

A: If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else's property because of lack of security, poor lighting or failure to follow other proper safety precautions (for example, a super market failing to clean up a broken jar, resulting in a slip and fall) you may have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit.

Q: In a premises liability case, what does "causation" mean?

A: Causation means that the injured individual must have a direct connection established between the property owner and any injuries that are claimed.

Q: What are economic damages?

A: These are things that compensation can replace. For example, loss of wages and medical expenses are examples of economic damages.

Q: What are non-economic damages?

A: These are losses that cannot be brought back with any dollar amount. For example, disability as well as pain and suffering are some examples of non-economic damages.

Q: In a premises liability case, can punitive damages be recovered?

A: These types of damages are allowed for the purpose of punishing the defendant. Most of the time, this would usually require some type of proof.

Q: When proving a premises liability case, is it necessary to have expert witnesses?

A: In certain cases, certain expert witnesses - such as economists or medical experts - may be necessary.

Q: Are the owners of buildings required to have proper safety features to protect visitors from harm? For example, in case of a fire?

A: Yes.

Q: What happens if a trespassor is injured while on someone else's property?

A: This would depend on the exact situation. If this is your current situation, contact one of our lawyers to see what can be done, if anything.

Q: I was injured while on governnment owned property. What do I do?

A: The laws differ when an individual is injured on government owned property. For example, the statute of limitations may be very short, which means you will have to act much quicker in order in order to have a valid premises liability lawsuit.

If you have anymore questions regarding Premises Liability, contact our Los Angeles Premises Liability Attorney today!