When people hear “premises liability,” they usually picture a wet floor and a fall. Yet property owners can cause serious harm in many other ways, from broken stair railings to poorly lit parking lots where assaults occur. If you suffered an injury on someone else’s property, a premises liability attorney Bakersfield families trust can help you understand who is responsible and what your claim may be worth.
What Property Owners Owe Visitors in California
Under Civil Code section 1714, everyone must use ordinary care to avoid injuring others. For those who own, lease, or manage property, that duty means inspecting for hazards, making reasonable repairs, and warning visitors about dangers they may not see.
Responsibility does not always rest with the owner alone. Tenants, property management companies, maintenance contractors, and businesses that lease space may all share liability, depending on who controlled the area where your injury occurred.
Common Premises Liability Claims Beyond Slip and Fall
Falls remain the most familiar type of claim, and our slip and fall page covers them in detail. However, Bakersfield residents also suffer injuries from many other property hazards:
- Broken stairs, missing handrails, and collapsing balconies.
- Falling merchandise in stores and warehouses.
- Unsecured swimming pools and hot tubs.
- Dog attacks on residential or commercial property.
- Assaults in poorly lit or unsecured parking lots and apartment complexes.
- Fires caused by faulty wiring or missing smoke detectors.
- Elevator and escalator malfunctions.
Each type of claim follows the same basic rule: the person in control of the property must act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm.
Negligent Security: When Crime Was Foreseeable
Property owners do not have to prevent every crime. Even so, owners of apartment complexes, hotels, shopping centers, and parking garages may bear responsibility when a prior pattern of crime made an attack foreseeable and they failed to take reasonable steps.
Reasonable security measures may include working locks and gates, adequate lighting, security cameras, and trained guards in high-risk areas. If you suffered an assault at a property with a history of similar incidents, you may have a claim against the owner in addition to the attacker. Our blog on hotel injury claims discusses related issues.
Swimming Pool and Drowning Injuries
Pools bring families joy during Bakersfield’s long, hot summers, but they also carry serious risk. According to the CDC, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than from any other cause.
Homeowners, HOAs, apartment managers, and hotels must maintain safe pool areas. Broken gates, missing barriers, slippery decks, and absent safety equipment can all support a claim. Learn more in our article on pool injury claims in California.
Dog Bites on Someone Else’s Property
California holds dog owners to a strict standard. Under Civil Code section 3342, an owner is liable when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggression before. Landlords and property managers may also bear responsibility in some situations. Visit our dog bite page for more information.
Injuries on Government Property
Different rules apply when a hazard exists on public property, such as a city sidewalk, county park, or state building. Under Government Code section 835, a public entity may be liable for a dangerous condition if its employee created the hazard or the entity had notice of it in time to fix it. You generally must file a written claim within six months, so prompt action is essential.
Evidence to Gather Before You Call a Premises Liability Attorney in Bakersfield
Strong evidence makes a strong claim. After an injury on someone else’s property, try to:
- Photograph the hazard and the surrounding area before anyone changes it.
- Report the incident to the owner or manager, and request a copy of any written report.
- Collect witness names and contact information.
- Keep damaged clothing, shoes, or personal items.
- Seek medical care right away and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Save receipts for medical bills, prescriptions, and other expenses.
Businesses often record over surveillance video within days. A prompt preservation letter from your attorney can help secure that footage.
How a Premises Liability Attorney in Bakersfield Builds Your Case
Property owners and their insurers frequently argue that a hazard was obvious or that they had no reason to know about it. Our team works to answer those arguments by:
- Investigating maintenance records, prior complaints, and past incidents at the property.
- Identifying every party with control over the property, including management companies and contractors.
- Consulting safety and building code experts when needed.
- Documenting your injuries, lost income, and emotional distress.
- Negotiating with insurers and, when necessary, presenting your case in court.
California’s comparative fault rule allows you to recover compensation even if you share some responsibility, although your award drops by your percentage of fault.
Deadlines to Discuss With a Premises Liability Attorney in Bakersfield
Most premises liability claims carry a two-year filing deadline under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Claims involving public property require notice within six months. Waiting also carries practical risks. Owners repair hazards, staff members change jobs, and records disappear. Contacting an attorney soon after your injury gives your legal team the best chance to document the conditions exactly as they existed on the day of your injury. When a property hazard takes a loved one’s life, our wrongful death team can help your family understand its options.
Talk With a Premises Liability Attorney Bakersfield Residents Trust
An unsafe property should never cost you your health or your livelihood. At Colvin Accident Lawyers, we listen with compassion and hold negligent owners accountable. Learn more about our Bakersfield premises liability lawyer services, or read what our clients say.
Call (661) 616-1177 or contact us online. We answer the phone 24/7.
