Sacramento Premises Liability Lawyers

Comprehensive Legal Support for Premises Liability Cases in California 

California property owners are responsible for ensuring that their premises are properly maintained and reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to address, repair, or warn of dangerous conditions, innocent victims can get seriously hurt. When this happens, victims are entitled to seek financial compensation for damages due to the property owner’s negligence. This is known as a premises liability claim, and filing one can help you secure compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages.

If you slipped and fell, were attacked by a dog, or otherwise harmed due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, public or private, the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley can help. Our Sacramento premises liability attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and are prepared to fight tirelessly for you and your recovery. 

Call the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley today at (530) 413-0245
or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our premises liability attorney in Sacramento! 

What Is a Dangerous Condition? 

A “dangerous condition” is any condition that poses a foreseeable threat to others, meaning one could reasonably expect someone else to become injured by the condition or because of its existence.

Examples of dangerous property conditions include:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Icy ground/floors
• Uneven or crumbling stairs
• Unmarked steps
• Uneven floors
• Torn or ripped carpeting
• Cluttered aisles/walkways
• Un-fenced swimming pools
• Loose dogs
• Potholes
• Lack of handrails
• Inadequate lighting
• Improper signage
• Defective awnings and overhangs
• Poor property maintenance 

This is not an exhaustive list; there are many other examples of defective, dangerous, and unsafe property conditions, all of which can cause serious bodily injury or even death.

Proving a Premises Liability Case

To bring a claim against a property owner, you must be able to show that the property owner was somehow negligent and that this led to your injuries/damages. This can be tricky, depending on the situation. While commercial business owners and those who own and maintain public spaces, such as parks, owe a duty of care to the general public, private property owners and residential land owners only owe a duty to those lawfully on the property. That being said, California attractive nuisance laws require property owners to take reasonable measures to fix foreseeable hazards that could harm anyone who enters the property, whether they are trespassing. 

To establish that a property owner was negligent, you must prove that they knew of or reasonably should have known of the dangerous condition but did not take proper, reasonable steps to repair or address it. Failure to maintain a property is also a form of negligence. You must then show that you were injured and suffered measurable damages due to the property owner’s failure to repair/address the dangerous condition.

Recoverable Damages in Premises Liability Cases

If you've been injured due to unsafe property conditions, you may be entitled to different types of compensation. These damages are meant to cover financial losses and your injury's emotional impact.

• Monetary Damages: These cover direct financial costs, such as:
  • Medical Costs: This includes doctor visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any future treatments needed.
  • Lost Income: If your injury caused you to miss work or affects your earning ability moving forward, you can claim for lost wages.
  • Property Damage: If personal items (like electronics, clothing, or a vehicle) were damaged during the accident, you may seek reimbursement for repairs or replacements.
• Non-Monetary Damages: These cover more abstract losses, including:
  • Pain and Suffering: This compensation addresses the physical discomfort and ongoing pain caused by the injury.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury limits your ability to engage in hobbies or activities you previously enjoyed.
  • Emotional Trauma: Anxiety, depression, or other emotional struggles resulting from the accident.

In rare cases, punitive damages may also be available if the property owner’s actions were especially reckless or egregious.

Time Limits for Filing Premises Liability Claims in California

In California, the law typically gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a premises liability claim. If you don't take legal action within this period, you may lose the right to seek compensation for your injuries.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule:  

• Delayed Discovery: In situations where the injury isn’t immediately noticeable, the two-year period may start when you discover the harm caused by the unsafe condition.
• Claims Against Government Entities: If your injury occurred on public property or land owned by a government agency, you may have a shorter window—typically six months—to file a claim.

Beginning your legal claim as soon as possible is crucial to ensure you don’t miss important deadlines. Our Sacramento premises liability attorneys can help you understand the time limits and guide you through filing your claim. Reach out to us today for more information.

Contact Our Sacramento Premises Liability Attorney Today

If you slipped and fell on a wet floor in a retail store, tripped on broken stairs and were injured at an apartment complex, were bitten by a loose dog, or were otherwise injured as a result of a property owner’s negligence, contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley today for a free consultation with one of our Sacramento premises liability lawyers. We can help you understand your legal options and fight for the full recovery you are owed.  

Contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley today to schedule a meeting with our premises liability lawyer in Sacramento!