Fontana Premises Liability Lawyer

Fontana Premises Liability Attorney

Fontana, California, property owners have a responsibility to ensure their properties are safe for visitors. Failure to use proper signage when floors are wet or fix tripping, structural, or chemical exposure hazards can lead to potentially life-changing injuries for unsuspecting visitors. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, call a Fontana premises liability lawyer after seeking medical attention.

Choose Amendt Law

With more than 24 years of experience focusing on personal injury law in California, our attorneys at Amendt Law have helped many residents of San Bernardino County and Southern California hold the responsible party accountable for their negligent actions. We’ve represented clients in all types of premises liability cases, even securing over $200,000 in a recent case.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability refers to any injuries a person may receive when on someone else’s property due to negligence on the part of the property owner or manager.

Under California’s premises liability laws, there is an expectation that property owners will do whatever they can to fix any potential hazards on their property that could potentially harm someone. These types of properties include:

• Commercial properties like stores, restaurants, and supermarkets
• Entertainment properties, including hotels and amusement parks
• Public properties, such as parks, schools, and government buildings
• Residential properties, including houses, apartments, condominiums, and rental properties.

Some of the most common types of premises liability cases include: 

• Falls due to slipping on an unmarked wet floor, tripping on a broken sidewalk, or poor lighting. In 2023, more than 871,000 Californians had to receive emergency treatment for falls.
• Crime-related injuries due to insufficient security or lighting, such as in a parking lot
• Injuries from structural issues, like a collapsing ceiling or a broken handrail on stairs
• Falling objects, such as ceiling fixtures or store merchandise
• Trauma caused by unsafe or exposed wiring
• Exposure to toxic chemicals and substances, such as black mold or carbon monoxide
• Injuries due to unsafe elevators or escalators
• Bites or attacks from unrestrained animals
• Defective rides or unsafe food handling at an amusement park
• Injuries from an unsupervised or unsafe pool area

Why You Should Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer in Fontana

When filing a premises liability claim, having a Fontana premises liability attorney by your side who fully understands California’s premises liability laws can be a major benefit to your case for several reasons, including:

• Proving negligence. Showing that a property owner was willingly or knowingly irresponsible, resulting in an injury, can be very hard to do. Your lawyer will have experience building a strong case that can show the property owner’s negligence.
• Collecting evidence. Another important part of building a robust case is gathering all the evidence needed, which includes photos of the accident site, surveillance footage, and witness statements. Gathering this evidence can be hard to do on your own.
• Calculating damages. Your premises liability attorney can help you understand the full extent of your damages to include in your claim, including economic and non-economic damages.
• Knowledge of deadlines. In addition to helping fill out your claim paperwork correctly, your lawyer can inform you of important deadlines. For example, under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you have up to two years from the date of the accident to file most premises liability claims. Failing to meet that deadline may result in your case being thrown out.
• Legal representation in court. If your case goes to trial, your lawyer can use their experience working with the Superior Court of San Bernardino to represent you and your interests.

FAQs About Premises Liability

Are Premises Liability Cases Hard to Win in San Bernardino County?

Just like any type of personal injury claim, premises liability cases can be challenging to win. What makes the difference is having an experienced Fontana premises liability attorney in your corner who can build you a solid case to show negligence on the side of the property owner and collect all the necessary evidence to do so.

Can a Trespasser File for Premises Liability in California?

Yes, in California, a trespasser – someone not invited or authorized to be on a property – can file for premises liability. However, it is much harder for a trespasser to win their case. Under California law, a property owner could be held liable if they knew the trespasser was there, or commonly trespassed there, and didn’t warn them of any dangerous hazards.

What Is the “Open and Obvious” Defense in California Premises Liability?

In California, a property owner can defend against a premises liability claim by arguing the hazard was “open and obvious” under Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions #1004. In other words, the issue was so evident, such as an easily-spotted hole or large crack in the sidewalk, that the visitor should have noticed it without issue and could have avoided it. This defense could potentially harm your premises liability claim.

How Long Does a Premises Liability Case Take?

Because every case is different, it’s hard to say exactly how long a premises liability case will take. Some cases can take as little as a few months to resolve, while others may take years. It all depends on the complexity of the case and whether it needs to go to court. Your Fontana premises liability lawyer can provide you with a time estimate once they have an understanding of your case.

Call Our Experienced Fontana Premises Liability Attorneys Today

Injuries caused by someone’s carelessness or irresponsibility can be distressing and have a profound and long-lasting impact on your health and ability to live your life.

Accidents caused by an unsafe property can cause minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises, and more traumatic injuries, including broken bones, concussions, and spinal cord damage. These injuries can lead to extended medical care, surgeries, and physical therapy, with quickly piling medical bills. If time off work is necessary or you can no longer work, this financial strain can add to your damages.

If you need to hire a premises liability lawyer in Fontana, reach out to our legal team at Amendt Law.