Got Hurt on Someone's Property, What Should I Do?

Accidents happen. But when they occur on someone else’s property and leave you with injuries, it can raise questions of negligence and responsibility. If you've been hurt while visiting a property, seeking legal help is one of the most important steps you can take. Attorney Andrew Antaramian, founder of Antaramian Law, APC, is here to help.

With nearly a decade of experience in personal injury law, including years spent working as a defense attorney for major insurance companies, he has deep insight into how insurance companies operate. He knows their strategies and uses his knowledge to advocate for his clients.  

Antaramian Law, APC serves clients throughout California, including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, Ventura County, and Kern County. Attorney Antaramian represents accident victims seeking fair compensation for their pain, medical expenses, and impact on their quality of life. 

Understanding Premises Liability  

When someone is injured on another person's property, the legal foundation often comes down to premises liability. Property owners in California -homeowners, landlords, or business owners—have a duty to maintain their premises reasonably safe. Failure to do so can lead to accidents and, consequently, liability.  

Premises liability covers a wide range of incidents, including but not limited to: 

• Slipping on wet floors or spilled liquids in a store or restaurant. 

• Falling down poorly lit or broken stairs. 

• Tripping over uneven pavement, torn carpets, or other hazards. 

• Accidents at swimming pools, such as drowning or slip-and-fall injuries.  

For an injured party to hold the property owner responsible, they must demonstrate the following: 

1. The owner owed a duty of care: The property owner or manager was responsible for preventing foreseeable harm.  

2. The duty wasn’t upheld: The property was unsafe, and the owner knew—or should reasonably have known—about it but failed to address the hazard or warn visitors.  

3. The unsafe condition caused the injury: The injury directly resulted from the dangerous condition.  

4. Damages occurred: The victim experienced tangible losses, such as medical bills, lost income, or ongoing health complications due to the injury.  

Attorney Antaramian can help you prove these points.

Do This If You’ve Been Injured on Someone’s Property  

If you are in this unfortunate situation, here’s how you can protect your rights and strengthen your potential case.  

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately  

Your health and safety should always come first. Even if your injuries feel manageable at first, some issues—like internal injuries or soft-tissue damage—may worsen over time. Visiting a doctor ensures your well-being and establishes medical records that can support your claim later.  

2. Document the Scene  

Evidence is critical in premises liability cases. Take photos or videos of the area where the accident occurred, including the hazard that caused your injury.  

Pay attention to details, like lighting conditions, weather, or any warning signs (or lack thereof). Gather the names and contact information of witnesses who saw what happened if you can.  

3. Report the Incident  

Report your injury to the property owner, business manager, or landlord immediately. Request a copy of a formal incident report for your records. Avoid admitting fault or downplaying the situation when recounting the details.  

4. Keep Records of Expenses 

Save all accident-related bills, receipts, and documentation, including medical costs, physical therapy expenses, lost wages, and transportation to appointments. The financial evidence can help you calculate the compensation you’re owed.  

5. Consult a Personal Injury Attorney  

California premises liability laws can be complicated. A skilled attorney can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case. With years of experience in personal injury cases, Attorney Andrew Antaramian can guide you through the process of filing a claim, building evidence, and pursuing compensation.  

Following these steps will give you the best possible chance of a positive outcome for your case.

Premises Liability Laws in California 

California civil law assigns responsibility to property owners for accidents occurring on their premises—but with some key specifics. Under California’s comparative negligence system, responsibility in a premises liability case can be shared between multiple parties.  

For example, a business owner may be held responsible for failing to clean up a spill, but the injured party might also bear partial responsibility if they were distracted by their phone when the fall happened. California courts assign a percentage of fault to each party, reducing the victim's compensation accordingly.  

Additionally, California law uses the "status of the visitor" framework to evaluate duty of care. Visitors are categorized as: 

• Invitees: People on the property for business purposes (e.g., store customers). Owners owe them the highest duty of care.  

• Licensees: Social guests or others on the property for non-commercial purposes.  

• Trespassers: People who enter without permission. Property owners have limited liability toward trespassers, except for willful harm or hazards that could harm children (attractive nuisance doctrine).  

Assessing duty of care is one step your attorney will take when researching evidence for your case.

Potential Damages in Premises Liability Cases  

Victims who pursue a premises liability case may seek compensation for: 

• Medical expenses: Including bills, rehabilitation, and anticipated future costs. 

• Lost wages: Recovering income lost due to an inability to work. 

• Pain and suffering: Addressing physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. 

• Loss of earning capacity: If the injury impacts the person’s ability to perform their job. 

• Wrongful death damages: For family members who lose a loved one in a preventable accident.  

Your attorney will keep all of the above in mind when working on your case.

Premises Liability  Attorney in Los Angeles, California  

For nearly a decade, Attorney Andrew Antaramian defended insurance companies against personal injury claims, witnessing how devastating accidents and injuries could be for victims. This experience motivated him to represent victims and help injured people.

At Antaramian Law, APC, he uses his knowledge to fight for fair compensation for the victims of personal injury cases, including premises liability claims. He serves clients in California: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, Ventura County, and Kern County.