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If a hazard on someone else’s property caused your injury, you may have a premises liability claim. A local premises liability lawyer helps you protect your rights, coordinate care, and pursue compensation under California law. Our law firm represents clients across the Inland Empire—San Bernardino County and Riverside County—handling unsafe walkways, poor lighting, broken stairs/handrails, parking lot assaults (negligent security), sidewalk defects, unsafe swimming pools, and more.
Unlike a traffic collision, premises cases focus on the owner’s duty of care, duty to warn, and whether the standard of care was met. Before you give a statement to an insurer or sign an insurance policy release, get clear legal advice about fault, legal liability, the statute of limitations, and what evidence to save. Prefer phone, text, or email? Use the telephone number below or send a quick message—a local attorney or paralegal will respond fast.
What Is Premises Liability & Common Case Types in the Inland Empire
Premises liability holds owners/occupiers responsible when unsafe conditions cause injuries to an invitee or licensee (different rules may apply to a trespasser). Frequent scenarios include:
Dangerous property in stores and shopping malls (grocery store spills, cluttered aisles, torn carpet).
Parking lot/sidewalk defects (potholes, uplifted slabs, poor lighting).
Stairs, broken handrails, code‑violating elevator/escalators.
Swimming pool/drowning, water‑feature flood or slip hazards.
Playground, amusement park, or construction site hazards.
Negligent security at apartments, convenience stores, casinos, ATMs, or venues where violent crime (robbery, assault, battery, theft) was foreseeable. We pursue the owner, management company, or real estate entity responsible for inspection, maintenance, or security.
Negligent Security & “Dangerous Property” Claims in the Inland Empire
When a location’s crime pattern makes harm foreseeable, the owner may have a responsibility to protect patrons with reasonable measures: better lighting, cameras/surveillance, controlled access, trained security guard/bouncer staff, and warning signs. We investigate prior incidents, police calls, and whether the business followed its own written policies. Negligent security cases often arise in parking lots, multifamily apartment complexes, grocery store and convenience store lots, shopping malls, and nightlife venues. We analyze crime maps, security staffing, and maintenance records to establish proximate cause and causation.
Duties, Status & Defenses (Invitee/Licensee/Trespass)
Owners owe a duty of care to keep premises reasonably safe, fix hazards, and duty to warn of dangers they knew or should have known about. Status matters: invitee, licensee, or trespass. Defenses can include comparative negligence, assumption of risk, or compliance with building code standards. Even if a plaintiff is partially at fault, recovery is reduced by percentage—not barred—under California law.
Evidence to Save & How We Prove Liability
Scene documentation: photos/video of the hazard (wet floor, broken step, exposed electrical wiring, missing fence around a pool), incident report, and witness info.
Maintenance & security records: inspection logs, cleanup schedules, prior‑incident data, camera footage, and staffing rosters.
Expert support: engineers, human‑factors specialists, standard of care and duty to warn experts, and security‑industry professionals.
Medical proof: ER notes, therapy plans (physical therapy/therapy), medical bills, imaging, and limits on activities that affect income and quality of life. We pair this with public sources (crime stats, safety guidance) to explain mechanisms of harm to an adjuster—or a jury at trial.
Injuries & Medical Issues (Head, Spine, Soft Tissue)
Premises injuries range from soft tissue sprain/strain and fractures (bone) to spinal cord trauma, concussion/brain injury, disfigurement, bleeding, and long‑term pain, anxiety, or insomnia (documented mental distress). We help coordinate health care and therapy, navigate health insurance approvals, and track expenses and wage loss. Where medical device complications arise (separate from premises facts), that falls under product liability—we’ll flag if relevant.
Damages You Can Pursue (Economic & Non‑Economic)
Recoverable damages include medical bills, future care, lost wage/income, property damage (glasses, phone), and out‑of‑pocket costs with financial compensation for losses. Non‑economic harms include pain and suffering, emotional suffering, loss of activities, and loss of consortium. In rare cases of extreme misconduct, punitive damages may apply. After a fatal incident, families may bring a wrongful death claim (sometimes requiring probate to appoint a representative).
Insurance, Claims & Negotiation
We identify liability insurance held by the owner, manager, or contractor and review any med‑pay or umbrella policy. Our team prepares your claim/claims, manages communication with the insurance carrier, and leads negotiation toward a fair settlement. If the carrier delays or denies, we may evaluate insurance bad faith and file a lawsuit. We work on a contingent fee (contingency fee)—no upfront payment; our law offices only collect a fee if we recover for you.
Statutes, Public Entities & Special Issues
Strict statute of limitations rules apply in California; shorter notice rules can apply to public entities (parks, sidewalks) with limited sovereign immunity exceptions. We track every statute and preserve rights while you treat. Child‑injury cases may involve the attractive nuisance doctrine (unguarded pools, trampolines). We also address assumption of risk defenses and issues unique to venues (e.g., work accident on third‑party premises). While headlines in Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco may differ, the same principles protect visitors here in Southern California.
Our Process: From Claim to Court
Free evaluation with an attorney—we explain your rights and options.
Investigation: scene inspection, records requests, and preservation of surveillance and maintenance documentation.
Liability analysis: apply premises liability and security standards to establish breach, proximate cause, and legal liability.
Demand & negotiation: present damages with exhibits and citations to law.
Lawsuit if needed: file the complaint, the defendant answers, and we proceed through discovery, motions, trial in court, and—if necessary—verdict.
Resolution: settlement or judgment; we explain liens so your net recovery is clear.
Local Patterns & Safety Resources in the Inland Empire
Regional incidents often involve retail centers, office parks, and multifamily real estate in cities like Ontario, Riverside, and San Bernardino. Recurring hazards include poor lighting, broken pavement, and inadequate security response. For safety information and fall/violence statistics across the United States, consult the National Safety Council and public‑agency guidance. We also monitor bar association ethics and advertising rules to keep this page informative and compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have a case if there was a warning sign?
Possibly. A sign doesn’t excuse an unreasonably dangerous condition. Under comparative negligence and assumption of risk, facts matter—get legal advice.
Who can be held liable?
Owners, tenants, property managers, security contractors, and sometimes a corporation that controls policy. Some cases also involve product liability (e.g., escalator defects).
What if I was the victim of an assault in a parking lot?
We investigate prior crime, security staffing, lighting, security guard response, and whether duty to warn/responsibility to protect standards were met.
How long do I have to file?
The statute of limitations varies, and public‑entity claims have special deadlines. Call quickly so we can protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire you?
We work on a contingent fee—no upfront cost. We only collect a fee if we obtain compensation at settlement or verdict..
Talk With an Inland Empire Premises Liability Lawyer Today
If unsafe premises caused injury, medical expenses, or time away from work, get answers now. We’ll assess liability, coverage, and next steps—then handle the legal burden while you focus on recovery. Call 909‑915‑0181 (Redlands) or 760‑835‑9353 (Palm Springs). Prefer digital? Send an email with your email address, text our telephone number, or leave a telephone voicemail—we’ll return your call promptly.
Attorney disclaimer/advertising: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Deadlines vary; contact a lawyer promptly.
