Southern California Premises Liability Attorneys

Dog Bite Injury Cases

Another common type of premises liability case is a dog bite injury case. Most dog bites and animal attacks happen on a person’s private property. Therefore, if their pet hurts someone who is visiting the property, then the dog owner can be held liable.

California has a strict liability rule for dog bite cases, too. Under this rule, a dog owner can be held liable for the injuries caused by their pet, even if that pet has never shown signs of aggression before.

Negligent Security Issues

Certain property owners are required to provide adequate security to their guests and visitors. It varies depending on what type of property is in question and where it is located. For example, a nightclub in an area of town known for a high violent crime rate might be required to hire a bouncer or another form of onsite security to protect patrons.

If you were hurt by a criminal but onsite security should have helped prevent the crime, then a premises liability claim for negligent security could be in order. Our attorneys know how to handle these complicated and sensitive cases that are usually challenged immediately by the defendants.

Invitee vs. Licensee vs. Trespasser

Your relation to the property owner matters for the validity of your premises liability claim, perhaps more than you realize. In premises liability law, there are several types of guests and visitors, each who are owed different duties of care from a property owner.

The three main types of visitors under the law are:

• Invitee: If you were invited to the property for business purposes or the sole benefit of the proprietor, then you were an invitee. Property owners owe the greatest duty of care to invitees. Customers in retail stores and grocers are perhaps the most common type of invitee.
• Licensee: If you were invited to the property for social purposes or your mutual benefit, then you were a licensee. Property owners owe a moderate duty of care to licensees. For example, you are a licensee if you are visiting a friend’s home for recreation.
• Trespasser: If you were on the property without permission and were breaking the law because of your presence, then you were a trespasser. Property owners owe little to no duty of care to trespassers, so filing a claim as an injured trespasser will be highly difficult.