Most people don’t think about getting hurt when they visit a store, walk through a parking lot, or head to a neighbor’s house. But it happens more often than you’d expect. A slippery floor. A broken step. Poor lighting. These small things can lead to serious injuries.
If you’re dealing with something like this right now, you probably have a lot on your mind. The pain, the bills, the missed time from work it all adds up fast. You might be wondering if the property owner is responsible, or if you’ll be stuck paying for it all yourself.
That’s where the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti can help. We’re not just another personal injury lawyer in North Hollywood. We know how to stand up for people who get hurt because someone didn’t take care of their property. We listen. We explain things in person. And we make sure you know your rights from day one.
If you’ve been searching for a North Hollywood premises liability lawyer who actually gets it who understands how an injury can turn your life upside down you’re in the right place.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is simply the legal idea that property owners need to keep their spaces safe. If you slip on a slippery floor at a grocery store, trip on broken stairs at an apartment building, or get hurt because a parking lot was poorly lit, that’s where premises liability comes into play.
In California, property owners whether they own stores, office buildings, or apartment complexes are legally responsible for keeping their property reasonably safe. This doesn’t mean they have to prevent every accident, but they must fix hazards they know about or should have known about.
For people in North Hollywood, where businesses, apartment buildings, and public spaces are everywhere, these rules matter. Unsafe conditions are more common than you think. A simple fall or accident can lead to medical expenses, lost wages, or worse serious injuries like broken bones or even traumatic brain injuries.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in North Hollywood
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slippery floors, uneven sidewalks, or broken stairs cause more injuries than most people realize. We’ve helped clients who were just running errands and ended up in the ER because no one cleaned up a spill or fixed a walkway.
These accidents may seem simple, but the injuries often require surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care and someone needs to pay for that, not you.
Negligent Security Claims
Sometimes, it’s not just a broken railing or a wet floor. It’s poor security. A dark parking garage without cameras or a building with broken locks can put people at risk of assaults or other crimes.
Property owners are supposed to take steps to keep you safe. When they don’t, they can be held accountable. We've handled cases where better security could have easily prevented life-changing harm.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
In California, dog owners are legally responsible if their dog bites someone plain and simple. We’ve represented clients who were bitten while walking in their own neighborhood or visiting a friend. Beyond the physical pain, dog bites can lead to serious infections and scars, both physical and emotional.
Poor Maintenance & Unsafe Property Conditions
Loose handrails, flickering lights, potholes in parking lots these aren't just annoyances. They are hazardous conditions that lead to injuries. One client of ours fell through rotten wooden stairs at a rental property. The result? Broken bones, medical expenses, and a long road to recovery. Property owners must keep their spaces safe, and when they don't, you have every right to file a premises liability claim.
Accidents on Public vs. Private Property
Whether you get hurt on private property, like a grocery store, or public property, like a city park, the rules are similar but how you handle the personal injury claim can be very different. Claims against government entities have shorter deadlines and stricter rules. That’s why it helps to have personal injury attorneys who know how to navigate both. We can make sure your claim is filed the right way and on time, whether it’s against a private owner or a government agency.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a North Hollywood Premises Liability Case?
After an accident, most people ask, “Who’s responsible?” The answer depends on where and how you got hurt. In many cases, more than one party may share the blame.
Property owners and landlords are often responsible when an apartment complex or rental property isn’t kept in safe condition. Picture broken steps at an older apartment building. If a guest trips and suffers spinal cord injuries, the landlord may be on the hook for not making timely repairs.
Business and commercial property operators, like restaurants, office buildings, or your local grocery store, must make sure the place is safe for customers and visitors. Wet floors, poor lighting, or loose carpeting can lead to premises liability accidents that cause serious injuries.
Government entities like the city or county are responsible for public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, and government buildings. If bad lighting or cracked sidewalks cause personal injuries, they can be held liable. But, claims against government agencies often have shorter deadlines, so acting quickly is key.
Third-party contractors are sometimes responsible too. Maybe a construction crew left hazardous property conditions, or a security company failed to provide adequate protection. If their work contributed to the accident, they may also share responsibility.
What You Need to Prove to Win Your Case
Winning a premises liability lawsuit isn’t about luck it’s about proof. There are four simple, but important, pieces you need.
First, duty of care. This just means the property owner had a legal duty to keep the place reasonably safe. For example, a store should keep floors dry and free from obstacles.
Second, breach of duty. Did the owner fail to take reasonable steps? Maybe they ignored complaints about broken steps or bad lighting.
Third, causation. You need to show that this breach is what caused your injury. Maybe you fell because of loose carpeting or suffered spine injuries from a gas leak explosion.
Last, damages. This is the real impact on your life medical bills, lost work, emotional distress, or the loss of enjoyment of everyday activities. Without showing these losses, you can’t recover actual damages.
A simple illustration? Imagine a client who slipped on a wet floor in a grocery store with no warning sign. The fall caused soft tissue injuries and ongoing pain. Proving these four steps helped us secure fair compensation to cover her medical expenses, therapy, and lost income.
What to Do Right After a Premises Liability Accident
What you do right after the accident can make a big difference. Your health comes first. Get medical attention, even if you feel okay at first. Some injuries, like soft tissue injuries or even spinal cord injuries, show up later.
Next, report the accident. Tell the property owner, landlord, or manager what happened and ask for a copy of the report if they make one.
Take photos and gather details. Snap pictures of wet floors, poor lighting, broken stairs anything that shows the hazardous property conditions. Collect names of anyone who saw the accident.
Avoid talking too much to the insurance provider or anyone representing the property owner. They often push for a quick, low offer before you even know the full extent of your injuries.
Finally, reach out to experienced premises liability attorneys. They will give you an honest assessment, explain your rights, and help you decide if legal action is the right next step. Having someone on your side who knows personal injury law means you’re more likely to get a fair settlement, not just what the insurance company wants to pay.
How Long Do You Have to File?
You don’t have forever to file a premises liability claim. In most cases here in California, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to take legal action. That might seem like plenty of time, but with medical appointments, paperwork, and insurance back-and-forth, it can go by faster than you’d think.
If your accident happened on public property like a city park or a government building you have even less time. You usually need to file a claim within 6 months, and missing that window could mean you lose your right to seek compensation altogether.
There are exceptions. If the injured person is a minor or if you didn’t discover the injury right away (which happens more often with soft tissue injuries or internal harm), you might get extra time. Still, the sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better.
Recent update: As of 2024, California hasn’t made any major changes to the deadlines, but courts have been stricter about honoring these limits since pandemic extensions expired. It’s more important than ever to act quickly.
What Compensation Can You Claim After a Premises Liability Accident?
When you're injured, you’re not just dealing with pain you’re dealing with real financial harm. Medical bills, missed work, and the simple fact that you can’t enjoy life the way you did before all add up. Here’s what you may be able to recover through a claim:
- Medical expenses – This covers everything from your ER visit and follow-up care to physical therapy, surgeries, and medications. Whether you’re dealing with a broken arm or spinal injuries from a fall, these costs can be high.
- Lost income – If you’ve missed work or can’t return to your job right away, you can recover your lost wages. For some clients, this has meant months without pay while they healed.
- Pain and suffering – It’s not just the medical bills. Injuries affect your quality of life. Whether it’s the frustration of limited mobility, ongoing pain, or losing the ability to enjoy hobbies, you deserve to be compensated for these losses.
- Emotional distress – Premises liability accidents don’t just hurt physically. Fear, anxiety, or emotional trauma especially after incidents involving negligent security or serious falls are very real.
- Punitive damages – In rare cases where property owners showed gross neglect, like ignoring known safety risks or failing to take reasonable action, courts may award additional damages as a way to hold them fully accountable.
Extra Tip:
In California, comparative negligence laws mean that even if you were partially at fault (say you missed a warning sign or didn’t notice cluttered walkways), you might still recover damages just a reduced amount. Don’t assume you have no case without speaking to a personal injury lawyer first.
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Why Hire a North Hollywood Premises Liability Lawyer?
If you’ve been hurt because of unsafe property conditions loose carpets, bad lighting, or even a poorly maintained Fitness Center you probably have a lot of questions. You might wonder if you even have a valid compensation claim or if it's worth going through the hassle.
This is where having a local personal injury lawyer who knows how North Hollywood courts work makes a real difference. We’re familiar with how adjusters think, what common examples of negligence look like in our area, and how to gather valuable evidence like surveillance camera footage or proof of code violations to support your case.
We don’t just focus on filing paperwork. Our job is to make sure you get maximum compensation to cover accident-related medical expenses, ongoing care, and lost income. We also deal with the insurance companies, property owners, and anyone else involved, so you don’t have to. That way, you can focus on what matters most getting better.
The Advantage of Working With Our North Hollywood Premises Liability Lawyers
When you work with us, you don’t just get a law firm that handles cases you get personal injury attorneys who know what’s at stake.
With decades of combined legal experience, we’ve seen just about every type of premises liability accident, from swimming pool accidents at condominiums to negligent security claims involving assaults due to broken security cameras.
Our track record includes millions of dollars recovered for clients dealing with serious injuries like torn ligaments, nerve damage, and long-term health complications. But beyond the numbers, we focus on treating every client with respect and attention, like we would a friend or family member.
We also know that money might be tight after an accident. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation consultation and charge nothing unless we win your case. No upfront fees, no hidden costs.
Choosing the right premises liability law firm can make the difference between walking away with a lowball offer or securing a financial settlement that actually covers your losses and gives you peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue if I was hurt on public property?
Yes, you can. Public spaces like parks, sidewalks, or city buildings still need to be kept safe. The rules are a bit different when you’re dealing with government property, though.
For example, the time to file your claim is shorter than in regular cases. But if your injury happened because someone didn’t take care of a public place, you have the right to hold them responsible. We’ve helped clients who tripped on broken sidewalks or slipped at public parks here in North Hollywood.
How much is my case worth?
This is the question everyone wants answered and honestly, it depends. It comes down to how serious your injury is, how it has changed your daily life, and what it has cost you.
We’re not just talking about hospital bills but also missed paychecks, ongoing treatment, and how it affects your happiness and comfort. We’ve worked with clients who thought they only had a “small case” and ended up recovering enough to cover everything they needed and more. The best way to know is to sit down with a lawyer who will actually listen.
What if I was partly at fault?
It’s common to blame yourself but don’t be too quick to do that. Even if you share some responsibility, California law may still let you recover part of your damages. For example, maybe you didn’t see a warning sign, but the property owner also failed to fix a dangerous condition like loose carpeting or bad lighting. We’ve handled plenty of cases like this. You may still have a strong claim, even if you think you don’t.
How long will my case take?
It’s hard to give a one-size-fits-all answer. Some cases wrap up quickly if everyone cooperates. Others take longer if the injury is serious or if the insurance company tries to fight it. What matters is that you don’t settle too fast just to get it over with. We’ll help you take your time to get what you really need to recover properly whether that’s a few months down the line or a little longer.
Speak to a North Hollywood Premises Liability Lawyer Today
Accidents happen when you least expect them. A slip at a grocery store, a bad fall in a parking lot, or unsafe conditions at an apartment building can leave you dealing with pain, bills, and a lot of questions.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Call us at (626) 793-8607 or fill out our short online form.
It won’t cost you anything to talk with us. And if you decide to move forward, you don’t pay unless we win.
You’ll get honest advice, real answers, and help from a North Hollywood personal injury lawyer who’s been through this with clients just like you.
