Injured? We Fight for What You Deserve
You expect to be safe when you walk into a grocery store, visit a friend's apartment complex, or grab dinner at a restaurant. But property owners don't always keep their spaces as safe as they should, and when someone gets hurt because of broken stairs, wet floors, poor lighting, or other hazards, the consequences can be serious. At My Lawyer Manwel, we handle premises liability cases for people who were injured on someone else's property through no fault of their own. These claims can get complicated quickly because property owners and their insurance companies often try to argue they didn't know about the dangerous condition or that you should have been more careful. A premises liability lawyer in Los Angeles can help. Keep reading to learn what property owners are legally required to do, how to prove negligence, and what your case might actually be worth.
California law puts real responsibilities on property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions for the people who come onto their land. This duty of care isn't about making a property perfect or eliminating every possible risk, but it does mean owners need to inspect their premises regularly, fix known hazards within a reasonable time, and warn visitors about dangers that aren't obvious. The standard applies whether we're talking about a massive shopping center, a small retail shop, or a residential rental property. Business owners carry the heaviest burden because they're inviting the public onto their property for commercial purposes, so courts expect them to be proactive about safety. A landlord who owns an apartment building has to keep common areas like stairwells, parking lots, and hallways in good condition. Homeowners who have guests over need to address hazards they know about or should reasonably know about through basic upkeep. Courts look at what a prudent property owner would have done under similar circumstances, and they consider factors like how long the hazard existed, how difficult it would have been to discover, and what the cost of repair would have been compared to the risk of injury. When an owner falls short of this standard, and someone gets hurt as a result, that's when a premises liability claim comes into play.
One of the biggest hurdles in any premises liability case is showing that the property owner either knew about the hazard or should have known about it through reasonable inspection. This is where a lot of claims fall apart because owners will almost always say they had no idea the problem existed. You'll need evidence that proves otherwise. There are two types of knowledge that the law recognizes here. Actual knowledge means the owner was directly told about the problem or personally observed it, and you might prove this through maintenance logs, complaint records, employee testimony, or prior incident reports. Constructive knowledge is more common in lawsuits, and it means the hazard was present long enough that a reasonable owner doing proper inspections would have discovered it. Think about a puddle of spilled juice in a grocery store aisle. If that spill happened thirty seconds before you slipped, the store probably isn't liable because they didn't have a fair chance to find it and clean it up. But if there's evidence the puddle sat there for an hour with employees walking past it, now you've got a strong argument that the store should have known and failed to act. Witnesses who saw the condition before your accident can be invaluable. Security camera footage is even better. A premises liability attorney in Los Angeles knows how to request this evidence quickly before it gets recorded over or conveniently disappears.
People sometimes assume that if you fall on someone's property and get injured, you automatically have a winning case. The reality is much more complicated. Insurance companies and defense attorneys have spent decades developing strategies to defeat these claims, and they will look for every possible way to shift blame onto you. California follows a comparative negligence system, which means if you're found partially at fault for your own injury, your recovery gets reduced by that percentage. Were you looking at your phone when you tripped? Were you wearing inappropriate footwear? Did you ignore a wet floor sign? These questions will come up, and the other side will use them to argue that you bear some or all of the responsibility. The defense will also attack the severity of your injuries and claim they resulted from a preexisting condition rather than the fall. They'll hire their own medical experts to dispute your treatment needs. They'll argue the hazard was open and obvious, meaning you should have seen it and avoided it yourself. This is why documentation matters so much. Medical records showing your condition before and after the accident, photos of exactly what caused your fall, and witness statements all become critical pieces of the puzzle. Working with a premises liability law firm that understands these defense tactics can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Time is your enemy in premises liability cases because property owners will fix dangerous conditions quickly after an accident. They have every incentive to do so, both to prevent additional injuries and to eliminate the evidence that proves their negligence. You need to act fast. If you're able to do so after an injury, take photographs of the exact spot where you were hurt from multiple angles. Capture wide shots that show the surrounding area and close-up images that reveal the specific defect or hazard. Note the lighting conditions, any warning signs that were or were not present, and anything else that contributed to what happened. Get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed your fall or who saw the hazardous condition beforehand. Write down everything you remember while it's still fresh in your mind because details fade quickly. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and ask for a copy of any incident report they create. If the location has security cameras, you or your attorney should request that the footage be preserved immediately in writing. A premises liability attorney in Los Angeles can send a spoliation letter that puts the property owner on legal notice to preserve all evidence related to your accident. Once that hazard is repaired and there's no record of what it looked like before, proving your case becomes dramatically harder.
If you were injured on someone else's property, don't wait to get legal advice from a premises liability law firm. The evidence you need is disappearing every day, and the deadlines for filing a claim won't wait for you to figure things out on your own. Contact My Lawyer Manwel for a free consultation about your case. Our team has the experience and resources to take on insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.
At My Lawyer Manwel, we fight for your rights in personal injury and employment law. See what our clients say about working with us.
I contacted My Lawyer Manwel for help with an employment dispute, and I’m very pleased with the service I received. He was knowledgeable, honest, and supportive throughout the entire process. Manwel kept me informed and handled negotiations with confidence and professionalism. He made a difficult situation much easier to manage and achieved a positive resolution. I would not hesitate to recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing experienced and reliable legal representation.
My Lawyer Manwel was incredibly helpful during my personal injury case. After my accident, I felt stressed and unsure of what to expect. Manwel explained everything in simple terms and was always available to answer my questions. He handled the legal details with professionalism and care, allowing me to focus on recovery. The settlement he secured helped cover my medical expenses and eased my financial worries. I truly appreciate his dedication and highly recommend his services.
I had a great experience working with My Lawyer Manwel on an employment law matter. He listened carefully to my concerns and provided clear, honest advice. Manwel was always responsive and made sure I understood every step of the process. He handled my case professionally and worked hard to protect my rights. The outcome was fair and allowed me to move forward with confidence. I’m very grateful for his help and would recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone facing workplace legal issues.
My Lawyer Manwel provided excellent support during my personal injury case. From the beginning, he was professional, patient, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain my rights and the legal process clearly, which made me feel confident and informed. Manwel handled all communication with the insurance company and kept me updated throughout the case. His dedication and attention to detail truly stood out. Thanks to his hard work, my case had a positive outcome. I highly recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing a trustworthy personal injury attorney.
Don't sign without carefully reviewing all of the terms, including release of claims, non-disparagement clauses, and confidentiality provisions. You usually have the right to consult with an attorney who can negotiate better terms on your behalf.
Enforceability varies dramatically by state, with some banning them entirely and others enforcing them when reasonable in scope and duration. Recent legal trends have moved toward limiting these agreements. Having an attorney review your specific agreement is essential.
Most discrimination claims must first be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state's equivalent agency before pursuing a lawsuit. Strict deadlines apply, often within one hundred eighty to three hundred days of the discriminatory act.
Misclassification occurs when employers label workers as contractors to avoid providing benefits owed to employees. The determination depends on factors like company control over your work, schedule flexibility, and who provides tools and equipment.
Numerous federal and state laws protect employees who report illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud from employer retaliation. Whistleblowers may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and other remedies if they face adverse employment actions.
Generally speaking, employers have some flexibility to modify duties and compensation, but they can't make any changes that violate contracts, discriminate, or constitute retaliation. Sudden changes following a complaint or protected activity may raise legal concerns.
A hostile work environment exists when unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic is pervasive or severe enough to create an intimidating or abusive workplace. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and must materially affect your ability to do your job.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the majority of employees working more than forty hours per week must receive overtime pay at one and a half times their regular rate. However, certain exemptions apply based on salary level and job duties, which employers sometimes misapply.
Wrongful termination happens if an employee is fired in a way that violates federal or state laws, employment contracts, or public policy. Examples include being fired due to discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing, or refusing to engage in illegal activities.
Federal and state law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report illegal conduct or file discrimination complaints. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, or creating a hostile environment. If you experience retaliation, you may have an additional legal claim.
Document every incident in detail. That includes dates, times, witnesses, and what occurred. Report the harassment through your company's internal complaint process and keep copies of all communications. If internal channels don't resolve the issue, consulting with an attorney is an important next step.
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats someone unfavorably because of a protected characteristic like race, gender, age, religion, disability, or national origin. This can include hiring and firing decisions, promotions, pay, job assignments, and harassment.
If your health insurance paid for any treatment that's related to your injury, they may have a right to reimbursement from any settlement through a process called subrogation. Your attorney can often negotiate these liens down to maximize what you keep.
A settlement is an agreement that is reached outside of the court, where the at-fault party agrees to pay compensation in exchange for releasing liability. A verdict is a decision that's made by a judge or jury after a trial determines the outcome.
While you can represent yourself, insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented claimants with lowball settlements. Studies show that injured individuals who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation even after paying legal fees.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of injuries, and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simpler cases may resolve in a few months, while complex litigation can take several years.
You may still have options, including your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the incident involved a vehicle. An experienced attorney can identify all of the potential sources of compensation available to you.
Fault is normally established by examining evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Your attorney will investigate the circumstances to build a compelling case. In some states, you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.
First, get medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Document everything, including photos of the scene and witness contact information, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to an attorney.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Victims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain, and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer.
Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, typically ranging from one to four years depending on where you live. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation, so consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
A personal injury case is when someone suffers harm because another party was negligent, reckless, or engaged in intentional misconduct. A few examples include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. If someone else's actions led to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.