Premises liability cases are often complex and challenging, which is why our premises liability lawyers in Chico are here for you.
If you sustain injuries and other damages because of an accident on public or private property, the owners or managers may be responsible for failing to meet local, state, and federal standards for maintaining their property.
At Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, we have many years of collective experience and credentials backing our law firm.
Over the years, we have won over $600 million for our clients, the largest single-plaintiff jury verdicts in Humboldt County and Shasta County history, and 98 percent of cases we’ve brought to trial. Our case results speak to our success, with one case resulting in a $37 million settlement for victims of a dangerous condition on public property.
While past results are no guarantee of future success, we give each of our clients personalized attention and help them handle all legal aspects of their cases. This gives injury victims more time to make a full medical recovery with their loved ones.
Our conveniently located Chico office sits on West East Avenue between Golden State Highway and Nord Avenue, and we can meet with you virtually if you are unable to visit our physical location. Regardless of where your accident occurred, we’re here for you when you need us.
You can find out what options are available to you by scheduling a free consultation with our Chico premises liability attorneys today.
What Is My Chico Premises Liability Case Worth?
Accidents resulting from negligent property owners, management companies, and others can lead to serious injuries and other resulting damages. Following an accident on another’s property, victims may be able to recover various types of economic and non-economic damages.
Here are some of the many damages that victims may recover in premises liability cases in Chico:
Economic Damages
Also known as special damages, economic damages apply to the financial losses victims sustain from an accident.
Examples of these damages include the following, among others:
- Medical bills, including immediate and ongoing care
- Hospital stays
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic or general damages are more intangible damages that victims sustain because of their accidents. These damages affect a person’s ability to function daily and can severely affect a person’s well-being.
These damages could include:
- Physical pain
- Psychological distress, including depression and anxiety
- Trauma
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death Damages
Some premises liability cases may involve a person’s death resulting from a serious accident. In these instances, victims’ loved ones may suffer various financial and personal losses as they navigate and grieve the victim’s death.
Some examples of wrongful death damages could include:
- The victim’s pain and suffering prior to his or her passing
- Loss of service and companionship
- Medical bills for treatments leading up to the victim’s death
- Burial and funeral expenses
Punitive Damages
Negligent parties in Chico premises liability cases may also need to pay punitive damages if they acted with gross negligence or intentionally caused harm to victims.
The court may award these to deter similar behavior in the future and encourage property owners to engage in best practices to maintain their properties.
Various factors will influence the types of damages involved in a premises liability case. For example, the severity of the victim’s injuries, the degree of negligence, and the extent of the damages resulting from the accident will all impact the settlement amount. A reliable lawyer at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP can calculate the total value of your case and help you seek total compensation with a premises liability case.
Why Premises Liability Accidents Occur in Chico
Like many other cities, Chico contains many public and private properties whose owners or managers may inadequately maintain and make safe.
It’s important for these parties to meet the standards of care in place for property owners and remove potential hazards that could make the property unsafe.
Some of the hazards that property owners must mitigate in Chico and other cities in Northern California include:
- Standing water
- Overhead objects
- Excavations and open pits
- Exposes wiring and electrical components
- Deteriorating curbs
- Snow and ice
- Falling objects
- Poor lighting
Failure to remove or warn of these hazards can lead to serious accidents and injuries, making property owners liable for any injuries and other damages.
Many properties in Chico often experience harsh weather and heavy foot traffic that may put people at risk if property owners neglect to maintain them.
If you believe you have a valid premises liability case in Chico, filing it as soon as possible is important.
Remember that you only have a limited amount of time to file, known as the statute of limitations. In California, injury victims in premises liability cases and others have two years to file a claim or suit from the time of the injury or one year from the date of the discovery of the injury.
To help you file on time, determine liability, and calculate the total amount of damages involved in your case, it’s best to have an experienced Chico premises liability lawyer by your side.
For legal representation in Chico you can trust, turn to the attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP today.
What Are Some Types of Premises Liability Accidents in Chico?
Many types of premises liability cases can develop in Chico. Some of the most common types of premises liability accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents. These are the most common types of accidents involved in premises liability cases, with falls behind over eight million visits to the emergency room each year. These accidents often lead to serious injuries resulting from property owner’s failure to maintain stairwells, walkways, and other areas.
- Inadequate maintenance. Over time, wear and tear could lead to poor conditions in facilities that present an accident risk. For example, elevators and light fixtures must undergo preventative maintenance and repairs to remain functional and safe.
- Dog bites. Many premises liability cases also involve dog bites due to inadequate restraint. If dog owners fail to properly train, leash, fence, or otherwise prevent dog bites, they may be liable if another individual sustains injuries from dog bites.
- Insufficient security. Property managers and owners may also be liable for incidents involving break-ins, vandalism, and others if poor security measures facilitate them. For instance, a business owner may be liable for injuries stemming from a robbery if faulty security systems allow for it.
These and other types of premises liability may result in many types of injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Head and face injuries
Fighting the Insurance Companies on Your Own?
Following an accident on another private or public property, you may want to file a claim against the liable party’s insurance company.
When you file a claim with insurers, they’ll begin investigating your claim to determine whether the negligent party was liable and identify the damages involved.
When negotiating with adjusters, they may appear to be on your side, but the fact is that they’re working for their employers first and foremost. Insurers want to avoid large payouts whenever possible and will work hard to deny or reduce claims, especially when they involve large settlements.
Saying the wrong thing or failing to provide sufficient evidence to support your claim may compromise it and leave you without a fair settlement.
To help you negotiate with insurers and present all relevant evidence, you’re better off working with an experienced premises liability lawyer in Chico. At Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP, we can represent you during negotiations and recover the compensation you deserve.
What to Do Following a Chico Premises Liability Accident
If you sustain injuries on someone else’s property, there are some steps to take to help build a successful claim or lawsuit against liable property managers or supervisors.
The very first step is to seek treatment for your injuries, after which you can go through the following process to build a claim or lawsuit:
Stick to Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan
When seeking treatment, your doctor is likely to diagnose your injuries and get you started on a treatment plan that’s right for you. Sticking to this treatment plan will help you make a complete recovery and generate medical bills and records, which may serve as evidence to support your case.
You should also retain all receipts for medical treatments and other expenses, which will help calculate various economic damages in your case.
Gather Evidence
After the accident, you may be able to collect various types of evidence to support a claim or suit, including camera footage of the accident, police reports, and more. If you’re unable to obtain this evidence on your own, an attorney may be able to assist with this.
Write in a Journal
To help prove non-economic damages in your case, maintain a journal detailing how you feel as you recover. Include information about the pain you feel and your personal experience with the recovery process. These details may help prove the extent of pain and suffering, which could contribute to your settlement.
Avoid Social Media
While your case is pending, it’s best to avoid social media. Even if you post something seemingly innocent on your favorite platform, insurance company investigators and opposing attorneys may use your posts to argue that your injuries aren’t serious, potentially even leading them to accuse you of fraud.
With all necessary information gathered, present it to a knowledgeable premises liability attorney in Chico. If an attorney chooses to represent you, he or she may be able to obtain any information you’re unable to get on your own.
If you or someone you care about suffered injuries in an accident on someone else’s property that resulted from negligence, the skilled team of attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel can investigate the accident, and if necessary, retain an accident reconstructionist to figure out exactly what happened. We can then help you pursue a claim or lawsuit that seeks the monetary damages that you deserve for your injuries.
Get Help With a Chico Premises Liability Lawyer
Many premises liability accidents can lead to serious injuries or death, making property owners, managers, tenants, and others potentially liable. If you would like to build a premises liability case, consider turning to the Chico premises liability attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel, LLP. Our legal team will be your advocate in a case against a property owner.
We will work to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation available to you in your case. We will negotiate with the insurance company, and if necessary, litigate your case to a conclusion in the court system.
Contact a Skilled Chico Injury Lawyer for More Information
If you suffered injuries in a premises liability accident that resulted from carelessness or negligence, the experienced team at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel is here to help you. For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable Chico premises liability attorney, please call us today at (530) 891-1909 or contact us online to discuss your possible personal injury claim or lawsuit.
