Rancho Santa Margarita Premises Liability Lawyer

Any person entering a property in Rancho Santa Margarita deserves to do so in a reasonably safe manner. When injuries occur, that person could have a viable premises liability claim. Through this claim, a skilled personal injury attorney could assist them in obtaining the compensation they deserve through a lawsuit.

The central point of a premises liability case is determining if the property owner violated their duty to the victim. Identifying the duty owed by a property owner to an injury victim is an important task for any Rancho Santa Margarita premises liability lawyer.

Common Defendants in Premises Liability Lawsuits

Injuries may occur anywhere. Whether from a trip and fall or an exposed electrical wire, dangerous hazards are not limited to a single type of premises. However, some places are more likely than others to have an injury occur. Recognizing the risks associated with these places could help a Rancho Santa Margarita premises liability attorney identify the cause of their client’s injuries. Common premises liability defendants include:

• Local municipalities
• Private homeowners
• Apartment complex managers
• Department stores
• Nightclub owners
• Farmers

While these are examples of common defendants, not every property owner is responsible for all of the injuries that occur on their property. Determining liability depends in part on the specific duty of care owed by the property owner.

The Duty of Care in a Rancho Santa Margarita Premises Liability Suit

The owners and occupants of property in Rancho Santa Margarita owe a duty of care to their visitors. If they violate that duty, they could be on the hook for any damages the violation causes.

It is important to note, however, that the duty of care is not equal for every visitor. There are different categories of visitors, and property owners owe each category a different duty of care. These categories include licensees, invitees, and trespassers.

Invitees

Of the three categories of visitors, invitees hold the highest duty of care. A property owner has a duty to keep an invitee safe from dangerous conditions. For conditions that a property owner cannot cure, they are required to notify an invitee when they enter the property. Invitees include anyone that enters the property for the benefit of the landowner. Common examples include store customers or home contractors.

Licensees

The duty of care a property owner owes to a licensee is less protective than that owed to an invitee. While a property owner must warn a licensee of any unseen hazards on the property, they are under no obligation to inspect their property for hazards. The most common form of a licensee is a social guest. While licensees enter the property with permission, they do so for their own interests.

Trespassers

Any person that enters land without express or implied consent is a trespasser. A Rancho Santa Margarita property owner does not owe an unknown trespasser any duty of care. However, if the landowner knows the trespasser is present and does not have them lawfully removed from the premises, they owe them a duty to protect them from harm.

Call a Rancho Santa Margarita Premises Liability Attorney Right Away

From identifying potential defendants to determining their duty of care, there is a lot that goes into building a successful premises liability claim. While you do not have to hire an attorney, skilled legal counsel could make the recovery process go much smoother.

If you believe you have a viable claim due to injuries you suffered on another person’s property, you should contact an attorney without delay. Call right away to schedule your free consultation with a Rancho Santa Margarita premises liability lawyer.