Premises liability, also known as "slip and fall" cases, pertains to incidents involving slips, trips, and falls on property owned or occupied by someone else that result in injury. This also encompasses prior conditions on the property that could have caused harm, such as flawed equipment or a failure to warn of hazardous circumstances.

Premises liability claims are a form of negligence lawsuit, so it is the responsibility of the plaintiff to demonstrate that the defendant was negligent. This is typically done by demonstrating that the defendant was the owner or occupier of the property, the plaintiff was present on the property, and the defendant had a duty of care towards the plaintiff.

 When making a premises liability claim, it is important to understand the definition of “duty of care.” Duty of care is generally easier to prove than negligence. A duty of care is not a difficult concept to understand. A person, or a business, that owns the property must use reasonable care to make sure that the property is safe.

Reasonable care refers to the actions taken to avoid harm to others. If a person is aware of a dangerous situation or is responsible for creating it, they have failed to take reasonable care. This means that if you are aware of a hazard, it is your responsibility to warn others of the danger. If you are the cause of a hazardous condition, you must repair or fix it.

 Today, we will discuss some of the most common misconceptions about premises liability claims to help you better understand your responsibilities and how to protect yourself. Here's what you need to know:

 "Premises Liability Cases are Frivolous."

 Annually, a significant number of individuals sustain injuries on property owned by others and are compelled to take legal action to seek compensation for their injuries. As they may be prevented from returning to work, they cannot solely rely on the worker's compensation program and are forced to file a civil lawsuit to seek justice.

 Is not the fact that thousands of people have been injured on someone else's property enough to prove that these cases are not frivolous? It should be.

 Premises liability suits make up the most significant civil cases filed every year. In addition, these cases are becoming more common with an increasing number of people being injured at work or in their own homes.

 "It is My Fault for Falling."

 In most cases, even if an injured person contributes to their fall somehow, it does not relieve the owner of a property of their liability. In these cases, the injured person can still recover from the property owner.

 The fact is that the premises owner must use reasonable care for the safety of its guests. This means that the owner must warn the guest of any dangerous conditions, correct those conditions and make sure that the guest is not left alone in unsafe conditions. This can be difficult to prove. It is important to remember that it is generally easier to prove that a person owed a duty of care and failed to take reasonable care than to prove that they were negligent.

 "It Would Be Better to Wait and See if My Injuries Get Better."

 One of the most common misconceptions about premises liability claims is that doing nothing is better than filing a claim. However, while it is true that some people may be able to recover with time, most people will not get better. Some people will develop further injuries that further limit their ability to work.

It is better to settle as soon as possible before your case becomes more complicated in most cases. It is usually best to recover quickly rather than waiting and hoping your injuries will get better.

‍"Property Owners are the Only Ones Legally Responsible in Premises Liability Cases."

 Owners of property are the most common defendants in premises liability cases. However, property owners are not the only ones who can be liable. There is a legal doctrine called the ‘landowner liability rule.’ Under this rule, anyone with control over the property, including employers and contractors, can be liable for an injury.

 Suppose the injury suffered by an employee is covered by an employer's workers' compensation policy. In that case, the employer's workers' compensation insurance company is most likely responsible for ensuring that the injured employee receives a reasonable settlement. However, this is not always the case.

 Unfortunately, most insurance companies are reluctant to settle cases. They often wait to see how severe your injuries are and how much your medical expenses will be before they decide to pay you anything.

 "I Can't Recover My Injuries Because I'm Partially at Fault."

 In most premises liability cases, the defendant will try to blame the injured person for their injuries.

 The defendant might try to convince you that your injuries are not as bad as they seem or that you caused your injuries. However, you should know that you should not be punished for being injured.

 You have to show the judge, jury, or arbitrator that you have been injured and that no one must protect you. In the case of a slip and fall accident, you have to prove that the property owner knew or should have known that a hazardous condition existed and failed to correct it within a reasonable time after it was discovered.

 "Slip and Fall are the Only Types of Premises Liability Cases."

 In most cases, a slip and fall claim does not require filing a lawsuit. However, if a person is injured because of dangerous conditions on the property, the injured person can file a premises liability claim against the property owner. However, this is not limited to slip and fall accidents.

 You can also file a premises liability claim if you were injured by something else, such as a defective product or a hazard that you were unaware of. For example, you can file a premises liability claim if you are injured because you do not see a hole in the ground. The same applies in cases where a flat-screen TV is left on and damages the person who comes in contact with it.

 The Bottom Line

If you sustain an injury while on another person's property, you may be eligible for compensation. Typically, this doesn't require the involvement of a legal representative. You simply have to prove that the injury occurred on the property in question and that the property owner did not exercise a sufficient level of caution to guarantee your safety.

 If you are looking for an accident lawyer in Los Angeles, we can help you. Here at Mendez and Sanchez Law, you will only find the best. Our attorneys and team members are here to help you through the difficult legal landscape as we pursue the compensation you deserve. Please contact us for your injury, auto accident, workers' compensation, and other legal needs today!