805-962-1930 Premises Liability Attorney in Santa Barbara
A sudden fall can cause debilitating injuries that last a lifetime. However, if you fell because of a hidden hazard on someone’s property, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The attorneys at Maho Prentice, LLP, are premises liability attorneys with 50 years of experience. If you’ve sustained serious harm, such as a concussion or brain injury, spinal cord injury, disc trauma, bone fracture or ligament damage, we will deliver professional representation and compassionate client service. If you were the victim of an assault that happened due to poor lighting or a lack of safety or security features, call us.
Premises Liability Basics
In California, property owners and business proprietors have a duty to maintain their premises. They must use reasonable care to protect visitors and patrons from dangerous or defective conditions. Property owners must provide adequate warnings for known dangers they cannot immediately remedy. Property owners who breach this duty may be liable for any injuries that result. Common hazards that cause slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents include:
- Broken stairs and railings
- Dark passages and stairwells
- Debris
- Loose tiles
- Wet or slippery floors
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
The hazard cannot be obvious to the victim. If you know a floor is wet and run down the hallway, a court might decide your own negligence caused your fall.
The Two Difficulties In Proving A Case
There are two major difficulties in proving premises liability that victims must take action to overcome:
- Proving the existence of a hazard
- Proving injury
Very often, property owners correct a hazard after an accident, destroying evidence that could be crucial to a case. If you slip and fall or trip and fall you should take pictures of the hazard that caused your fall. Many victims try to “walk it off” and only discover a day or two later they’ve suffered joint, ligament or disc damage or even a concussion. Seek medical assistance immediately after any fall where you hit your head or twist your back so that a defendant cannot claim an intervening event was the actual cause.
Proven Results For Injury Victims
At Maho Prentice, LLP, we have the skill and experience to build compelling cases for premises liability. If you are injured in the Santa Barbara area, call us 24/7 at 805-962-1930 or contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Santa Barbara personal injury lawyer. Phone calls are taken in English or Spanish. If you’re unable to visit our office, we can visit your home or hospital room. Weekend and evening appointments are always available.