Unsafe property conditions are preventable. If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, we are here to help.

When a property owner, landlord, or business invites the public onto their premises, they take on a legal duty to act reasonably to keep that space safe. If they fail to do so and someone gets hurt they can be held financially responsible.

At Abronson Law Offices, we help injury victims across California recover compensation after preventable property incidents. Whether you slipped in a grocery store, were attacked due to negligent security, or injured by falling debris, we know how to build a strong premises liability case and make sure your voice is heard.

There are strict legal timeframes to file a claim in California. For most incidents, you have two years from the date of the incident but when a non-federal government agency is involved, that window could be as short as six months. Don’t wait and risk your recovery. Contact our legal team today for a free consultation.

Premises Cases Matter

Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that in 2020, slips, trips, and falls accounted for 18% of all nonfatal workplace injuries requiring days away from work. The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) highlights that uneven flooring, unsecured cords, and poor lighting are consistent causes of preventable trip-and-fall injuries affecting both workers and the general public.

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 patients are hospitalized each year due to fall injuries, most often from hip fractures or head trauma. The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) further reports that falls account for over 1 million emergency department visits annually, making them a leading driver of personal injury claims nationwide.

Slip and fall injuries are especially risky for older adults. In 2023 alone, falls were responsible for 47,026 deaths in the U.S., making them the second leading cause of unintentional injury death overall and the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among seniors. Over 1 million people are treated in emergency departments annually for fall-related injuries, many of those injuries resulting in extended rehabilitation or hospitalization. Further, over 1 million emergency department visits in the U.S. each year result from fall-related injuries.

Slips and falls remain one of the most common causes of injury across California. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) via its EpiCenter database, falls consistently rank among the top causes of emergency department visits and hospitalizations statewide, especially affecting older adults. While statewide totals are available by querying the interactive system, most fall-related injuries stem from tripping hazards, uneven surfaces, and inadequate warning of wet floors.

Parking Lot and Sidewalk Hazards

Parking lots and sidewalks are frequent sites of preventable accidents when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that tens of thousands of people are injured in parking lot crashes each year, with one in five accidents occurring in these spaces. Slip-and-fall incidents are also common; insurance industry data shows that over 60% of outdoor slip-and-fall claims involve parking lots or sidewalks, often due to uneven pavement, ice, or poor lighting.

A national study showed that 53% of pedestrian injuries and 31% of bicyclist injuries happen in non-roadway locations, including sidewalks and parking lots, areas often owned or managed by private or municipal entities.

Elevator and Escalator Injuries

Elevators and escalators remain a significant hazard in buildings nationwide. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics and Consumer Product Safety Commission data estimates these devices kill about 31 people and seriously injure roughly 17,000 people in the U.S. each year; elevators account for the large majority of deaths and most serious injuries, and about half of the deaths involve workers performing tasks in or near elevator shafts.

Staircase Injuries

Stairs are a leading source of preventable injuries in homes and public spaces. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), using data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), “stairs, ramps, landings, and floors” were associated with an estimated 3,101,789 emergency-department-treated injuries in the United States in 2024. This makes stair-related incidents one of the most common causes of fall injuries, underscoring how quickly a slip, trip, or misstep can turn serious.

Construction Site Injuries

Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 1,075 construction workers died on the job in 2023, with more than one-third of those deaths caused by falls, slips, and trips, the leading cause of fatalities on job sites. Nonfatal harm is also widespread, the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses reported an estimated 173,200 nonfatal construction industry injuries and illnesses in 2023. These incidents often involve preventable hazards such as unsafe equipment, inadequate training, or failure to follow safety standards.

Non-Worker Construction Site Incidents

Construction zones pose serious risks to the public, not just to on-site workers. While nationwide data on bystander injuries is limited, localized reports illustrate the danger. For instance, in New York City, the Wall Street Journal found that an average of one civilian is injured by construction‑site accidents each month, often due to falling tools, debris, or scaffolding. In one year, 22 pedestrians were hurt in just 18 separate construction‑related events.

These incidents highlight how negligence, such as improperly secured materials, inadequate fencing, or lack of sidewalk protection, can cause serious harm to unsuspecting passersby. Even when construction crews follow protocols, failures in containment measures or oversight can lead to injuries to non‑workers who are simply nearby.

Inadequate Security (Negligent Security) Injuries

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), the U.S. violent victimization rate was 22.5 per 1,000 people in 2023, while property victimization in urban areas rose to 192.3 per 1,000 households. In California, the Department of Public Health reported that assault-related injuries alone led to 121,700 emergency-department visits and 13,446 hospitalizations in 2022. When businesses or property owners fail to provide adequate lighting, locks, cameras, or security personnel, preventable injuries and trauma often follow.

Fires, Burns, and Explosions

Fires and related hazards remain a major cause of preventable death and injury across the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments responded to 1.39 million fires in 2023, resulting in 3,670 civilian deaths and 13,350 injuries. Many of these incidents are linked to unsafe wiring, blocked exits, or failure to maintain fire suppression systems, conditions that fall under premises liability when they occur on private or commercial property.

California experiences a significant rate of residential fire casualties. In 2023, residential fires in California resulted in approximately 3.5 deaths and 14.5 injuries per 1,000 fires, exceeding national averages—compared with national averages of 5.8 deaths and 19.7 injuries per 1,000 fires in similar residential incidents. These elevated injury and fatality rates reflect hazards from faulty wiring, blocked exits, or failure to maintain fire detection and suppression systems, all of which fall squarely within the realm of premises liability.

Structural Failures

Collapsing decks, balconies, and other structural elements pose catastrophic risks to building occupants and guests. A study based on Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) NEISS data found that between 2003 and 2015, 33,270 injuries were associated with deck and porch failures, with nearly 15% directly linked to structural collapse. High-profile tragedies illustrate the stakes: the 2003 Chicago porch collapse killed 13 people and injured 57, while the 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse killed 6 students and injured 7 more, both tied to negligent maintenance and construction defects.

Common Causes of Premises Liability in California

Premises liability applies to businesses, government buildings, apartment complexes, parks, schools, private homes, and nearly any property open to guests, tenants, or the public.

Property-related injuries are often caused by negligence, poor maintenance, or failure to act on known risks. Common causes include:
   · Wet or slippery floors without warning signs
   · Uneven sidewalks, cracked walkways, or loose tiles
   · Broken handrails, missing handrails, or poorly lit staircases
   · Poor lighting in public or commercial areas
   · Broken elevators, escalators, or steps or stairs
   · Non compliant construction of stairs
   · Merchandise falling from shelves
   · Construction site hazards or debris
   · Lack of warning signs for dangerous areas
   · Inadequate security in areas known for criminal activity
   · Poorly maintained grounds or public spaces
   · Unmarked hazards in public spaces
   · Camouflaged flooring transitions, or debris
   · Raised or crumbling concrete
   · Tree roots lifting sidewalks or walkways
   · Hoses or cords across walkways
   · Hazardous ramps, thresholds, or curbs
   · Open or uneven utility vaults

Why Choose Abronson Law Offices?

Premises liability cases can be difficult. Property owners often deny responsibility, insurance companies blame the injured person, and evidence like surveillance footage and cleanup logs can disappear quickly.

What sets us apart:
   · Proven results in slip, trip and fall cases
   · Proven results in complex injury cases
   · Access to top medical experts for evaluation and testimony
   · Aggressive negotiations backed by trial experience
   · Transparent communication, every step of the way
   · You don’t pay unless we win your case

We have recovered compensation for clients suffering from:
   · Severe muscle strain causing chronic headaches and stiffness
   · Fractures, dislocations, and orthopedic injuries
   · Nerve impingement resulting in radiating pain, tingling, or numbness
   · Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions, skull fractures, and permanent cognitive impairment
   · Facial injuries and dental trauma
   · Broken hips, arms, ankles, and wrists
   · Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
   · Burns and scarring from fires, chemicals, or faulty wiring
   · Eye injuries or facial trauma from debris or explosions
   · Psychological injuries, including PTSD and depression
   · Fatal injuries leading to wrongful death claims

What Compensation Can I Recover?

If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may be eligible for:
   · Medical expenses (past and future)
   · Lost income and reduced earning potential
   · Pain and suffering
   · Rehabilitation and long-term care
   · Emotional distress
   · Any other damages unique to your case

We work with medical experts, financial analysts, and crash investigators to build a strong case and address all the impacts this incident has had on your life. Our goal is to make sure your compensation reflects the true cost of how any incident has affected your life, not just what the insurance company is willing to pay.

Common Questions About Premises Liability Injury Cases

Get a Free, No-Pressure Consultation

You do not have to do this alone. Our team is here to help you understand your rights, evaluate your case, and move forward with confidence. We offer fully remote services and free consultations by phone or video. If you’re recovering at home or in the hospital, we’ll meet you where you are.