Bakersfield Commercial Property Premises Liability Lawyer

Donald Colvin, Esq

Similar to homeowners being legally bound to keep their property safe for visitors, business owners must protect people who come to their establishment. When people are lawfully at a business, hotel, or other property, they have a reasonable expectation of safety. Failure to do so is considered negligent.

You can hold the landlord or management accountable if you have been hurt in a poorly kept commercial location. Injured people must present a strong argument and compelling evidence to receive compensation for their wounds. A well-versed premises liability attorney is trained to do so. Do not hesitate to consult with a Bakersfield commercial property premises liability lawyer to explore your options today.

What to Know About Your Case

In commercial property premises liability cases, the owner is held responsible for the damages of someone hurt on their grounds. Some common situations that are the foundation of these catastrophic cases are:

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

These can occur when an individual falls in an establishment due to a defect. Some frequently seen causes include unmarked wet floors, icy sidewalks, missing railings, uneven floors, and improper signage.

Inadequate Security

Some places, like retailers, offices, bars, clubs, and hotels, keep customers safe by hiring security. Without security, visitors can be exposed to dangerous conditions, including theft, assault, or sexual assault. When businesses choose not to invest in these protections for their guests, and someone is harmed and knows of the potential harm, they are negligent.

Swimming Pool Drownings

Swimming pools that are poorly maintained can present enhanced risks.

Inadequate Maintenance of the Grounds

Many unsafe conditions result from the owner’s inadequate grounds maintenance, like repairs that are delayed or never happen. If unsafe conditions cause visitors harm, they can sue. This could also include poorly maintained walkways, stairways, and sidewalks.

Mislabeled Equipment

Wrongly labeled equipment can be dangerous to people unaware of the error.

Business owners who do not take preventative measures to avoid possible mishaps could face a lawsuit. A Bakersfield attorney can help a hurt person determine how to hold a commercial property owner liable for damages.

Establishing Fault in Your Liability Case

To win a lawsuit, the injured person must show that the defendant’s negligence caused them to sustain harm. Negligence is when someone’s actions fall below the standard level of care that a reasonable person should have used.

A complainant must show that a defendant is liable by proving four factors:

  • The business owed the injured person a genuine duty of care
  • The business violated that duty
  • The business conduct caused the person’s injuries
  • The person endured legally recognized injuries

In commercial property premises liability cases, a lawyer must show that the proprietor owed a duty of care to protect legally permitted visitors on their grounds and that their conduct or lack of conduct directly caused them pain. An example in these cases is when a grocery store fails to put a caution sign on a puddle caused by a leaking roof that management was aware of, resulting in the person slipping and sustaining a broken hip.

Comparative Negligence

California follows a pure comparative fault model. That allows a hurt person to recover compensation even if they are primarily at fault for the accident. That means that only if it is determined that the complainant is guilty of the accident, they cannot recover any damages. When a Bakersfield attorney proves that the other side was more at fault, a hurt person is more likely to receive considerable damages in their commercial property premises liability case.

Call a Bakersfield Lawyer About Your Possible Commercial Property Premises Liability Claim Today

You and your loved ones should not have to sustain harm due to another person’s failure to maintain their business. Negligent companies will often fight to blame you for what happened. However, the law protects your rights and ensures you can recover financially from the injuries you sustained while visiting someone’s establishment.

The details matter to our experienced attorneys. Call our Bakersfield commercial property premises liability lawyers for a consultation today.