Who Can File a Premises Liability Lawsuit?
When evaluating a potential personal injury claim based on an incident on someone’s property, the legal status of the injured visitor is critical. In San Francisco, as throughout the rest of the state, not all visitors are treated equally. There are three classifications of visitors in California and they are as follows:
- Invitees: Invitees are owed the highest duty of care. These are individuals who are invited onto a premises for the benefit of the property owner. Customers invited by company, even implicitly, into a place of business are the most common example of invitees.
- Licensees: Licensees are individuals that are allowed on a property, but it is not necessarily for the property owner’s gain. Social guests, family members, and delivery workers are a few common examples of licensees. Property owners do have a duty to keep their premises safe for licensees and to warn of any hazardous conditions. However, the duty of care does not rise to the high level owed to invitees.
- Trespassers: Trespassers are individuals who do not have the owner’s consent to be on a property. Property owners do not owe any duty of care to trespassers. Still, property owners are not allowed to intentionally harm trespassers or they could be found liable for paying damages.
Navigating premises liability claims, especially when dealing with the nuanced duties owed to different classes of visitors, can be highly complex, and for legal advice on your specific situation, you should consult a San Francisco premises liability lawyer.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents
There are a number of ways individuals become hurt on other people’s property. The most common of these are as follows:
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Defective stairways
- Fires
- Toxic fumes and chemical spills
- Negligent security
- Insufficient maintenance
- Inadequate lighting
- Ceiling collapses
- Cluttered walkways
- Dog bites
- Wet floors
- Falling objects
Where Do Premises Liability Accidents Happen?
Accidents can happen anywhere and so, whenever you are on someone else’s property, you may run the risk of being hurt. Some of the most common areas where premises liability accidents occur are as follows:
- Parking lots and garages, including ramps
- Apartment buildings
- Amusement parks
- Stadiums
- Hotels and motels
- Shopping malls
- Restaurants and bars
- Private homes
- Grocery stores
- Movie theaters
- Schools
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals
Regardless of where you sustained your injuries, it is important to speak to a San Francisco premises liability lawyer. An attorney can review the facts of your case, determine who is liable, and help you through the appropriate process.
Call Our Premises Liability Lawyers in San Francisco for a Consultation
If you have been hurt on someone else’s property, you may deserve compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and more. At Venardi Zurada, our San Francisco premises liability lawyers can help you obtain the full settlement you are entitled to and ensure your rights are always protected. Call us today at (833) 893-6763 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get more information about your legal options.
