Premises Injuries

In Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties, the attorneys at Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP help victims of premises injuries recover compensation for the damages caused by an accident on another's dangerous, unsafe, or negligently-maintained premises. Not all slips or trips and falls cause serious injuries, but many do. Common risks include fractures of the ankles, wrist or hip, or head, neck, back and spinal injuries which can cause long-term or permanent debilitating conditions. We take every case seriously and fight to see that justice is done and negligent property owners are held accountable.

A Duty to Maintain Safe Premises

Property owners owe a duty to others coming onto their property to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. This duty includes being aware of the condition of the premises and making any necessary repairs or warnings, from mopping up food spills to repairing broken sidewalks to making sure adequate signage is in place. Responsible property owners include retail shops, grocery stores and restaurants, and government or public property, as well as landlords and homeowner associations who are responsible for upkeep and maintenance of certain areas.

Safety and Security

Property owners and property managers may also have a duty to their tenants and the public to take reasonable measures for safety and security. Stairwells, parking garages, and common areas should be adequately lit, with reasonable inspections made to replace burned-out light bulbs. Security cameras or security personnel may be warranted if the area is in an unsafe neighborhood, or if the property owner is on notice of criminal activity in the area. What is reasonable in any given situation depends on all the circumstances involved. A property owner who does not take reasonable measures for safety and security may be liable for an assault or battery that takes place because of the property owner's negligence.

Experienced Premises Liability Attorneys

Premises injury cases can be complicated, because it is often difficult to prove how long an unsafe condition was present and when the property owner knew or should have known of it. We handle personal injury cases arising out of accidents in shopping malls, restaurants and all manner or retail establishments. In one of our successes, we obtained $235,000 in a mediated settlement for a woman who slipped and fell on water at an auto dealership near a water fountain. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident on another's dangerous, unsafe, or negligently-maintained premises , contact Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP for a free consultation.