Premises Liability

The personal injury and civil litigation experience at Aaron & Wilson, LLP extends to cases involving premises liability on public, private, and commercial property throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Reasonably Safe Premises

Property owners have a duty to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This duty exists whether the injured person was invited onto the property as a guest or customer of the property owner, or entered for a commercial purpose, such as selling, or to fulfill a business duty such as delivering mail or checking a meter.

Keeping premises in a safe condition may include making regular inspections of the property. Certainly, if any dangerous condition is known or discovered, it should either be repaired promptly, or adequate signs should be posted warning of the danger. When a personal injury does occur, there may be many questions to consider, such as whether the property owner knew or should have known of the unsafe condition, whether the condition was open and obvious so that the injured person should have known to avoid it, whether the property owner had a reasonable amount of time to correct the situation before the accident occurred, and whether any signs or warnings posted were clear and conspicuous and easy to understand.

Workplace Injuries and Third Party Liability

On-the-job injuries at construction sites and other premises are generally handled through California's workers' compensation system. However, there are many cases where an independent contractor or third party is responsible for causing the injury. In these cases, the injured party may seek civil damages from the third party in addition to any workers' compensation claim that may be filed. From compliance with OSHA standards to third party liability, we work to ensure that liability for workplace injuries is not unfairly placed on the wrong party.

Governmental Liability versus Private Claims

City streets and public sidewalks can be dangerous due to slippery conditions from rain or sleet, or from falling into disrepair, allowing bumps and cracks in the surface to pose a significant risk of a trip and fall. Depending upon the locality and other factors, it may be the adjacent property owner or the municipality which is responsible for maintaining a sidewalk in good repair and free from icy conditions. It is important to know who may be at fault and proceed accordingly, because the procedures and timelines for filing a claim with the city versus a civil lawsuit or private insurance claim are vastly different.

Legal Experience in Every Setting

Our firm has handled premises liability cases in every kind of setting, from private homes and city streets to commercial buildings, shopping malls, and construction sites. For assistance with a Bay Area premises liability claim, contact Aaron & Wilson, LLP.