If you slipped in a Santa Monica supermarket, fell on the stairs at the Beverly Center, or suffered an injury at any commercial establishment in Los Angeles, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Business owners in California have a legal obligation to keep their premises safe for visitors.
At Jerry Jacobson & Associates, we have successfully represented premises accident victims for over 30 years, recovering over $500 million in compensation for our clients throughout Los Angeles County.
What is Premises Liability in California?
Premises liability is an area of law that holds premises owners liable for injuries that occur on their property due to dangerous conditions or negligent maintenance.
Common Examples in Los Angeles:
- Malls: Slips at The Grove, Beverly Center, Westfield Century City.
- Supermarkets: Falls at Whole Foods, Ralph’s, Trader Joe’s.
- Department Stores: Accidents at Target, Walmart, Costco.
- Restaurants: Injuries at establishments on Hollywood Boulevard, Melrose Avenue.
- Parking lots: Falls in Pasadena, Glendale, Long Beach shopping centers.
Most Common Accident Locations in Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles
Commercial and office buildings around the Financial District often feature:
- Poorly maintained floors in lobbies
- Defective stairs
- Inadequate lighting in parking lots
Wilshire Corridor
The shopping centers and stores along Wilshire Boulevard, especially near our office at 3580 Wilshire Blvd #1600present hazards such as:
- Spills not cleaned up in stores
- Loose or damaged carpets
- Obstructed aisles
Hollywood and West Hollywood
Entertainment areas such as Hollywood Boulevard and the Sunset Strip see frequent accidents in:
- Theaters and nightclubs
- Restaurants with outdoor patios
- Tourist souvenir stores
Types of Premises Liability Accidents
1. Slips and Falls
Most common causes in LA:
- Wet floors without signage in supermarkets
- Spills not cleaned up at Fashion District stores
- Excessively waxed surfaces in malls
- Water puddles near fountains in shopping malls
Trips and Falls
Frequent locations:
- Cracked sidewalks on Santa Monica Boulevard
- Uneven steps in Olvera Street stores
- Loose cables in convention centers
- Wrinkled carpets in LAX Airport hotels
3. Stairway Accidents
- Defective escalators in Metro Center
- Loose handrails on commercial buildings in Koreatown
- Poorly lit steps in Little Tokyo restaurants
4. Inadequate security
- Assaults in poorly lit Van Nuys parking lots
- Lack of security guards at South LA shopping centers
- Faulty camera systems in East LA stores
5. Structural Defects
- Collapsing ceilings in elderly stores
- Broken windows in commercial buildings
- Sunken or cracked floors
Legal Elements for Proving Premises Liability
To win your California case, we must prove four essential elements:
Property Control
The defendant must have owned, controlled or leased the property where the accident occurred.
2. Owner Negligence
We must demonstrate that the owner:
- Knew or should have known of the dangerous condition
- Failed to repair the problem within a reasonable amount of time
- Failure to adequately warn about the danger
3. Causality
The landlord’s negligence must have been the direct cause of your accident and injuries.
4. Damages
You must have suffered actual injuries and documentable economic losses.
Critical Legal Deadlines in California
Statute of Limitations
You have exactly 2 years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability lawsuit in California (Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1).
Important Exceptions:
- Governmental Entities: Only 6 months to file claim against the City of Los Angeles, County, or Metro.
- Minors: The term begins when they turn 18 years old
- Late Discovery: In rare cases where the lesion does not manifest itself immediately.
Why Act Fast?
- Evidence deteriorates: Security recordings are overwritten
- Witnesses forget important details important
- Dangerous conditions can be repaired, eliminating evidence
- Incident reports may be lost or altered
Types of Compensation Available
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: Ambulance, emergency room, surgeries, physical therapy.
- Lost wages: Time off work due to injury
- Loss of earning capacity: If injuries permanently affect your ability to work.
- Future health care costs: Ongoing treatment needed
Non Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain.
- Loss of quality of life: Inability to enjoy previous activities
- Emotional distress: Psychological trauma of the accident
- Loss of consortium: Impact on family relationships
Wrongful Death Cases
If you lost a loved one in a premises liability accident:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of future income of the deceased
- Loss of companionship and orientation
- Medical expenses prior to death
Crucial Evidence for your Case
Immediate Documentation
- Photographs: Dangerous condition, injuries, damaged clothing.
- Incident Report: Complete one with venue management.
- Witness information: Names and contacts of people who saw the accident.
- Medical care: Seek immediate treatment, even for “minor” injuries.
Professional Evidence
Our legal team collects:
- Safety videos of the moment of the accident
- Maintenance records of the premises
- Inspection reports of the city
- Expert testimonials in safety and construction
- Records of previous accidents at the same location
Insurance Company Strategies
Common Tactics to Reduce Payments:
- Blaming the victim: Argue that you weren’t paying attention
- Minimize injuries: Suggesting that injuries were pre-existing
- Deny knowledge: Claiming that they did not know of the dangerous condition.
- Quick low bids: Push for deals before knowing the full extent of injuries.
How We Counter These Tactics:
- Thorough investigation investigation of the accident
- Complete medical documentation of all injuries
- Expert testimony to establish negligence
- Aggressive preparation as if the case were going to trial
Specific Responsibilities by Type of Establishment
Supermarkets and Grocery Stores
- Clean up spills immediately
- Placing warning signs on wet floors
- Keep aisles free of obstacles
- Inspect refrigerated product for leaks
- Ensuring that shopping carts are in good condition
Shopping Malls
- Proper maintenance of escalators
- Sufficient lighting in all areas
- Regular cleaning of fountains and rest areas
- Appropriate security in parking lots
- Clear signage for temporary hazards
Restaurants and Bars
- Immediately clean up beverage spills
- Keeping bathrooms dry and safe
- Ensure that entrances and exits are well illuminated.
- Regularly inspect kitchen floors
- Provide safety training to personnel
Hotels
- Regular maintenance of swimming pools and spas
- Adequate lighting in corridors and stairways
- Carpets in good condition with no raised edges
- Safe toilets with grab bars when necessary
- Appropriate security 24/7
Common Injuries in Premises Accidents
Immediate Injuries
- Fractures: Wrists, hips, ankles from attempting to cushion falls.
- Head trauma: Concussions from hitting hard surfaces
- Back injuries: Herniated discs due to falling backwards
- Cuts and lacerations: From sharp surfaces or broken glass
Long Term Injuries
- Chronic pain: Especially in back and neck injuries
- Neurological problems: From inadequately treated head trauma.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: In injured joints
- Mobility limitations: Affecting future work capacity
Impact on Different Ages
- Older adults: Increased risk of hip fractures and complications.
- Young workers: Significant loss of future income.
- Children: Emotional trauma and specialized care needs
Factors Affecting the Value of Your Case
Severity of Injuries
- Minor injuries: Sprains, superficial cuts ($5,000-$25,000).
- Moderate injuries: Simple fractures, concussions ($25,000-$100,000).
- Severe injuries: Multiple fractures, surgeries required ($100,000-$500,000).
- Catastrophic injuries: Paralysis, severe brain trauma ($500,000+).
Accident Location
Accidents in high-value areas in Los Angeles typically result in larger awards:
- Beverly Hills, Santa Monica: Higher value for typical victim income
- Downtown Financial District: High income professionals
- Tourist areas: Hollywood, Universal Studios
Evidence Available
- Clear safety video: Significantly increases value
- Credible witnesses: Strengthen the case considerably
- Reports of previous problems: Demonstrate knowledge of the hazard
- Documented poor maintenance: Proof of clear negligence
How Jerry Jacobson & Associates Maximizes Your Compensation
Proven Experience
With more than 30 years representing victims in Los Angeles, we know:
- Every judge in the Los Angeles County Courts
- Preferred tactics of each major insurance company
- Verdict values in similar cases locally
- Most effective experts for each type of case
Immediate Resources
From our office at 3580 Wilshire Blvd #1600we have access to:
- Private investigators specialized in premises liability
- Experts in accident reconstruction accident reconstruction
- Medical specialists for injury documentation
- Economists to calculate future income losses
Aggressive Strategy
- Immediate investigation to preserve critical evidence
- Complete preparation for trial from day one
- Experienced negotiation based on case strengths
- Litigation when necessary to obtain full compensation
Representative Case Studies
Case 1: Slip and Fall in a Supermarket
Location: Ralph’s in Santa Monica
Injury: Hip fracture in 65-year-old woman.
Result: $750,000 for medical expenses and pain/suffering.
Case 2: Fall in a Shopping Center
Location: Beverly Center escalator
Injury: Head trauma in 40-year-old executive.
Outcome: $1.2 million for loss of income and neurological damage
Case 3: Parking Lot Accident
Location: Westfield Century City
Injury: Multiple fractures due to poor lighting.
Result: $450,000 in confidential settlement
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do immediately after a fall in a store?
Critical steps:
- Do not get up immediately if you feel pain – wait for medical help
- Report the accident to store management immediately
- Take photographs of the dangerous condition and your injuries
- Obtain information from witnesses present during the accident
- Seek medical attention even if the injuries appear minor
- Keep all documentation of the incident of the incident and medical treatment
- Call Jerry Jacobson at 1-800-529-7910 before talking to insurance companies.
How long do I have to sue for a fall in California?
You have exactly 2 years old from the date of the accident to file a premises liability claim. However, there are important exceptions:
- Governmental entities: Only 6 months for claims against the City of LA.
- Injuries not immediately apparent: The clock can start when you discover the injury
- Minors: Have up to 2 years after their 18th birthday. IMPORTANT: Evidence deteriorates quickly, so contact an attorney immediately.
Can I sue if the accident was partially my fault?
Yes, under California law. California follows the “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means:
- You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
- Example: If the accident was 30% your fault, you can still recover 70% of your damages.
- Insurance companies will try to exaggerate your fault to reduce payouts
- An experienced attorney can minimize your percentage of liability.
4. What types of premises are most responsible for accidents?
In order of responsibility:
- Supermarkets and grocery stores: High liability for frequent spills
- Shopping centers: Moderate-high liability due to high traffic
- Restaurants and bars: High liability for frequent wet surfaces
- Hotels: Variable liability depending on amenities (swimming pools, stairs).
- Department stores: Moderate for inventory that may create obstacles
- Banks and offices: Lower risk but clear liability for negligence
How much is my premises liability case worth?
The value depends on multiple factors: Minor injuries (sprains, cuts): $5,000-$25,000
Moderate injuries (simple fractures): $25,000-$100,000
Severe injuries (multiple surgeries): $100,000-$500,000
Catastrophic injuries (paralysis, traumatic brain injury): $500,000+
Factors that increase value:
- Injury severity and recovery time
- Your income and age (affects future losses)
- Clear evidence of negligence of the premises
- Extensive medical expenses
- Impact on quality of life
6. What if there are no witnesses to my fall?
Don’t worry – you can still have a strong case:
- Security videos are crucial evidence (we must obtain them quickly)
- Incident reports document document the conditions of the
- Physical evidence of the hazardous condition at the site
- Maintenance records may show negligence
- Accident experts can reconstruct what happened
- Your testimony combined with medical evidence is powerful Key: Contact an attorney immediately to preserve evidence before it disappears.
Your Next Critical Step
If you or a family member slipped, tripped, or suffered any accident at a commercial establishment in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Long Beach, or any city in the county, don’t let the insurance companies minimize your case..
Premises owners and their insurers have entire teams of lawyers working to reduce your compensation from the moment you report the accident. You also need experienced legal representation on your side.
Jerry Jacobson & Associates has recovered more than $500 million for accident victims in Los Angeles for more than 30 years. We know exactly how stores and malls try to avoid liability, and we know how to beat them.
Why Choose Jerry Jacobson & Associates?
- More than 30 years representing victims in Los Angeles
- $500+ million recovered for our clients
- Completely free consultation – no strings attached
- You don’t pay until we win – contingency fees
- Convenient location on Wilshire Boulevard
- Attention in Spanish of bilingual attorneys
- Available 24/7 for emergencies
- Don’t wait – every day of delay can hurt your case.
Call NOW at 1-800-529-7910 for a completely free consultation in Spanish.
Office: 3580 Wilshire Blvd #1600, Los Angeles, CA 90010 – Easy access from Metro Purple Line.
Insurance companies have their lawyers. Make sure you have yours.
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