Were you or a loved one injured on the property of a business or another person in Hermosa Beach, CA? Property owners have an obligation to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe. If you were injured because the property owner or their employee failed to do so, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses.
An experienced Hermosa Beach premises liability lawyer can handle your case and help you navigate the legal process.
The attorneys at The Simon Law Group have the experience you can rely on in Hermosa Beach, California. Contact our office at (424) 722-3209 to speak with one of our Hermosa Beach premises liability attorneys. Your first consultation with a member of our team is free of charge.
How The Simon Law Group Can Help After a Premises Liability Accident In Hermosa Beach, CA
We have over 250 years of combined experience in personal injury law and have recovered over $600 million on behalf of our injured clients.
When you hire a Hermosa Beach personal injury attorney from The Simon Law Group, we’ll manage your case from start to finish.
We’ll take the following steps in your case in Hermosa Beach, CA :
- Investigate the accident
- Identify the at-fault parties
- Explain your rights
- Develop a case strategy
- Gather evidence to support your claims
- Assess the extent of your damages
- Contact the insurance company to negotiate a settlement
- Take your case to trial if a favorable settlement can’t be reached
To learn more about how our Hermosa Beach premises liability lawyer can help you reach out to our office today.
How Common Are Premises Liability Accidents in Hermosa Beach, CA?
It’s difficult to find data on all premises liability accidents, as many of these claims are resolved through private settlements. However, the data regarding slip and fall accidents, a type of premises liability claim, is telling.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip and falls account for over one million emergency room visits per year. One out of every three people over the age of 65 will experience a fall.
What Are the Causes of Premises Liability Accidents?
There can be any number of causes for a premises liability accident, including the following:
- Slip and fall caused by a slippery floor
- Uneven surface or sidewalk
- Broken stair railing
- Dog bites or other animal attacks
- Falling objects
- Fire
- Escalator or elevator injury
- Parking lot accidents, such as falling in a pothole
- Negligent security
If you were injured due to any unsafe condition on someone else’s property, you may have a premises liability claim. Our attorneys are prepared to handle your premises liability claim. Reach out to our office today to discuss your case.
What Is My Hermosa Beach Premises Liability Case Worth?
To estimate the value of your premises liability claim, an attorney should review all the variables that will impact the value of your case, including:
- The extent of your physical injuries
- The extent of your other damages, including pain and suffering, disability, and more
- Whether you were partly at fault for your injuries
- Your relationship with the property owner, such as business-client
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claims
- The insurance policy limit
Your attorney will review your case and explain how these variables may influence the value of your case.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Premises Liability Victims in Hermosa Beach?
The main remedy available in premises liability claims is compensatory damages. Damages are a legal remedy available in personal injury cases for a victim’s injuries and losses. They can be divided into two primary categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial costs a victim suffers or will suffer because of the accident or injury.
Economic damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
Usually, economic damages are straightforward to calculate and can be proved with things like medical bills, treatment plans, and invoices. However, future medical expenses or loss of earning capacity may be more difficult to assess and might require an expert witness. An experienced premises liability attorney can be particularly helpful if you have these types of damages.
Non-economic Damages
In contrast to economic damages, non-economic damages relate to the other, often emotional or intangible, consequences of the accident or injury.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Deformity
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
Non-economic damages can be more difficult to quantify than economic damages because they relate to the victim’s subjective experience after an accident. A knowledgeable premises liability lawyer will assess all of your damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer?
Premises liability attorneys typically operate on a contingent fee basis. This means that they only receive payment if they successfully obtain compensation for their clients. The fee, usually a percentage of the final financial recovery, is collected at the end of the case. The percentage is usually between 33% and 40%.
Contingent fees benefit clients in a couple of ways. First, there’s no need to pay any attorney fees upfront, which allows anyone access to representation regardless of their financial situation. Second, since the attorney’s payment is contingent on the client’s success, there’s no risk of being burdened with hefty legal bills in the event of an unsuccessful case.
However, keep in mind that there may be other costs, such as court filing fees, for which you may be responsible. Your attorney will explain whether you are responsible for these costs at the beginning of their representation of you.
Our Hermosa Beach Premises Liability Lawyers Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Many different injuries may occur on someone else’s property, including the following:
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Lacerations
- Bruising
- Paralysis
- Broken hips
We’ll fight for you to receive compensation for all of your injuries.
What if I’m Being Blamed for the Premises Liability Accident?
California is a pure comparative negligence state. You can recover damages even if you’re partially at fault. However, your compensation is reduced in proportion to the amount of your fault. An attorney can help you combat allegations of comparative fault so that you can recover full compensation.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Premises Liability Injury in California?
You will probably need to show that the property owner was negligent to succeed in your premises liability claim. To establish negligence in California, you must prove the following four elements:
Duty of Care
You must show that the property owner owed you a duty of care. Property owners often have a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe, fix unsafe conditions, and warn visitors of known hazards.
Breach
You must then show that the other party breached the duty of care. For instance, failing to put up a sign to mark a slippery floor or uneven sidewalk.
Damages
You must also show that you suffered injuries or another type of loss because of the property owner’s breach.
Causation
You must prove that the defendant’s breach was the actual and proximate cause of your injuries. To be the actual cause means that the accident would not have occurred without the defendant’s actions. To be the proximate cause means that your injuries were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the breach or unsafe condition.
You must prove each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence. This means the evidence must convince the jury or factfinder that your claims against the defendant are more likely than not true.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Premises Liability Injury in California?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a premises liability lawsuit in California. While many personal injury cases settle before a lawsuit is filed, the potential to file a lawsuit can be an important strategic tool for negotiating a settlement. It’s important that you are aware of the deadline for filing your case.
Contact Our Hermosa Beach Premises Liability Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured while visiting a business or another person’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Navigating the legal process can be daunting, but an experienced Hermosa Beach premises liability attorney can guide you through it.
To schedule a free consultation with a member of our team, contact our office in Hermosa Beach, CA.
