Slip and fall accidents are typically discussed with respect to the laws that cover Los Angeles premises liability causes of action. Premises liability specifically refers to a property owner’s (or occupier’s) liability for injuries and damages that occur to other individuals while they are on the owner’s/occupier’s property. A Los Angeles slip and fall attorney can tell you that in the state of California, premises liability is generally based on the concept of negligence, and it is regulated by both statute and case law.

    As is standard in causes of action that are based on negligence, you (as the individual who slipped and fell while on the property) must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care while you were on his or her property; that he or she breached that legal duty; and that breach was the legal or proximate cause of the injury that you sustained. Keep in mind, though, that if the defendant does not have control over the property at issue, he or she cannot be found to have a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent an injury that occurs to someone while on the property.

     Slip and fall accidents in the state of California can be quite complex and very hard to prove. That said, it is vital that you have a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer who thoroughly understands the constantly changing and fact-specific laws with respect to the various incidents that can result in premises liability.

    For instance, in California, simply owning or occupying land does not make that individual liable for injuries that occur to others while on the property. There must be some type of negligence on the part of the owner/occupier of the property before there can be any liability. Additionally, in order to understand the duty owed by an owner/occupier of the property, one must understand the difference between the owner and the occupier of property and their relative responsibilities. Similarly, it will also be necessary to understand the three types of individuals (invitees, licensees, and trespassers) who might be on the property at any given time because the amount of responsibility owed by the owner/occupier will vary according to the status of the person who is hurt.