6 min
1D 2025

Holding Property Owners Accountable: Unsafe Premises and Personal Injury in California

If you’ve been injured on unsafe property in California, you may have a premises liability claim. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC fights for victims of dangerous conditions, helping them recover compensation and hold property owners accountable.

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Holding Property Owners Accountable: Unsafe Premises and Personal Injury in California

When Unsafe Property Causes Serious Injuries

Every day, Californians walk into stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and public spaces expecting to be safe. Property owners and managers have a legal duty to maintain their premises and protect visitors from hazards. Unfortunately, when they fail to meet this responsibility, the result can be catastrophic injuries that change lives forever.

At the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC, we represent victims of unsafe premises accidents throughout California. From slip-and-falls to structural failures, we fight to hold negligent property owners accountable and secure compensation for victims and their families.

What Is Premises Liability in California?

“Premises liability” is the legal concept that holds property owners responsible for accidents and injuries that occur because of unsafe conditions on their property.

Under California law, property owners, landlords, and businesses must:

  • Maintain their property in reasonably safe condition.
  • Repair hazards within a reasonable time.
  • Warn visitors about dangerous conditions if immediate repairs are not possible.

When they fail to uphold these duties, injured victims may bring a premises liability lawsuit to recover damages.

Common Causes of Unsafe Premises Accidents

Premises liability cases can involve many different dangerous conditions. Some of the most common include:

  • Slip and Fall Hazards – Wet floors, spilled liquids, or freshly mopped surfaces without warning signs.
  • Trip and Fall Hazards – Uneven sidewalks, broken stairs, loose flooring, or cluttered walkways.
  • Inadequate Security – Assaults or robberies caused by poorly lit areas, broken locks, or lack of security staff.
  • Falling Objects – Merchandise falling from shelves, debris from construction sites, or poorly secured equipment.
  • Unsafe Buildings – Collapsing balconies, faulty handrails, or structural failures.
  • Swimming Pool Accidents – Lack of fencing, improper supervision, or slippery pool decks.
  • Fire Hazards – Blocked emergency exits, faulty electrical wiring, or lack of fire alarms.

Any of these conditions can lead to devastating injuries — especially for children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.

Injuries Caused by Unsafe Premises

Accidents on dangerous property often cause severe harm. Victims may suffer:

  • Broken bones or fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Severe burns from fires or electrical hazards
  • Internal injuries
  • Permanent disability
  • Wrongful death

In catastrophic injury cases, victims face lifelong medical care, inability to work, and emotional suffering — consequences that demand full and fair compensation.

Proving Liability in Unsafe Premises Cases

To succeed in a premises liability claim in California, the injured party must show:

  1. The property owner owed a duty of care.
    Owners and occupiers must keep their property reasonably safe for guests, customers, or tenants.
  2. The property owner breached that duty.
    Failing to repair, inspect, or warn about hazards may constitute negligence.
  3. The breach caused the injury.
    The unsafe condition must be directly linked to the victim’s accident.
  4. Damages occurred.
    The victim must show actual harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

These cases often require detailed investigations, expert testimony, and aggressive litigation — areas where Christian Contreras and his team excel.

Damages Victims May Recover

In a successful premises liability lawsuit, victims may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and reduced future earning capacity.
  • Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
  • Loss of Consortium: Compensation for spouses who lose companionship or support.
  • Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral expenses, financial support, and emotional loss for families of victims who tragically die.
  • Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme misconduct, courts may award damages to punish wrongdoers.

Why These Cases Are Challenging

Premises liability lawsuits are often aggressively defended. Property owners, landlords, and corporations may:

  • Deny the hazard existed.
  • Blame the victim for the accident.
  • Claim they had no notice of the dangerous condition.
  • Delay investigations to weaken the victim’s case.

That’s why having a trial lawyer with proven courtroom experience is critical. Christian Contreras brings that experience to every case — trying at least seven jury trials per year and securing multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements.

How Christian Contreras Advocates for Victims

Christian Contreras is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who has built a reputation for fighting against powerful institutions and corporations. His approach to unsafe premises cases includes:

  • Investigating the property: Inspecting the scene, collecting surveillance footage, and identifying hazards.
  • Interviewing witnesses: Obtaining testimony from employees, tenants, and bystanders.
  • Working with experts: Engineers, architects, or safety experts help prove the property was unsafe.
  • Building the case for trial: Preparing every case as if it will go before a jury.

This dedication has led to multi-million-dollar results in civil rights and wrongful death cases — a track record that strengthens every personal injury claim the firm takes on.

Christian Contreras: Recognized Leader in Litigation

Christian Contreras has been recognized as a leader in California law:

  • Top Boutique Law Firm in California (Daily Journal, 2024).
  • Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
  • Successful appellate practice, with victories at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and California Court of Appeal.

Beyond the courtroom, Christian is a dedicated community advocate, serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations and teaching law at the Peoples College of Law.

Why Families Choose the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC

  • Proven Results: Multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
  • Trial Readiness: A record of success in jury trials across California.
  • Compassionate Advocacy: Personalized attention to every client.
  • Community Commitment: Active involvement in justice and reform efforts.

When you choose our firm, you gain not only legal representation but also a team committed to protecting your rights, your future, and your dignity.

Take Action Today

If you or a loved one has been injured on unsafe property in California, you may have a premises liability claim. Don’t let property owners or corporations escape accountability.

Contact the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC today for a confidential consultation. Our experienced trial attorneys will investigate your case, stand by your side, and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Mais de $150 Milhões em Compensação para Clientes

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