When going about daily life in Moreno Valley, it’s not uncommon to visit many retailers, food establishments, offices, or even others’ homes. As potential patrons or invited guests it’s not too much to hope to experience hospitality in these spaces; an expectation most people forget, however, is the assumption of being kept safe while on the premises. Unfortunately, this is not often the case and an injury-causing mishap ensues because the property’s caretaker fell down on their job. If someone responsible for a property didn’t keep their visitor safe, they may be liable for their injuries caused due to negligence. If you suffered an injury while visiting someone’s property, contact an experienced Moreno Valley Premises Liability Attorney today to see if you might be entitled to compensation.
Risk Factors in Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley, a bustling city of over 209,000 growing at a rate of 5.04 percent each year, is one of the most rapidly expanding cities in the country with companies like Proctor & Gamble, Skechers USA, Aldi Foods, and Amazon all calling the city home. The city has become the second largest in Riverside County and now has three universities as well as an Air Force base. One of the more affordable places to live in Southern California, the residents who live in work in Moreno Valley, as well as tourists to the area eager to hike Box Springs Mountain and other local trails, all need establishments to cater to them while in town. Restaurants, shopping centers, industrial and commercial centers, residences, supermarkets, and offices are all springing up at an astounding rate. Unfortunately, with this variety of places to visit comes the risk of being injured as a visitor to any premises – not to mention the risk of injury in or around any of the many areas under construction, one of the most common places for harm to occur. These factors come together to present a high level of risk to visitors, as well as a great need for those responsible for property in Moreno Valley to ensure their visitors are kept safe.
Who Must Keep Visitors and Guests Safe?
Property owners, caretakers, and managers in Moreno Valley have a legal duty to use reasonable care to keep their premises clear of unsafe or hazardous conditions that might injure visitors and guests. They must also exercise reasonable care to inspect their property for hazards and either adequately warn about these conditions or correct them. However, they don’t have to warn about any hazard that is so obvious a reasonable person would see it, recognize it, and take steps to avoid it.
Even if the party responsible for the property didn’t discover a hazard, if the condition existed for long enough they should have discovered it on reasonable inspect, they’re deemed to have constructive knowledge that it existed and may be liable if you’re hurt by that condition. If, for example, a spilled drink stayed on the floor of a fast food restaurant for 2 hours before a patron slipped on it and fell, the owner would likely be deemed to have constructive knowledge. It’s unreasonable in that environment for the floors not to be checked within a 2-hour period.
What Constitutes an Unsafe or Hazardous Condition for Premises Liability Claims?
For premises liability claims, California defines both unsafe and hazardous conditions broadly. Many conditions fit the definition, but some are more common than others when it comes to presenting a risk of injury or death to a visitor. Just because a risk is not obvious does not mean it does not qualify as a hazardous condition. You could easily be injured in Moreno Valley as an unsuspecting visitor by:
- Broken or missing handrails and steps;
- Broken glass;
- Insufficient security at or near a swimming pool;
- Insufficient, malfunctioning, or nonexistent lighting on a property;
- Spilled liquid on the floor of a property;
- Improperly installed or bunched carpet or rugs;
- Unsafe furniture at risk of falling over;
- Slippery floors caused by wax or floor polish;
- Objects falling from overhead;
- Loose or damaged flooring;
- Faulty elevators and escalators;
- Debris or trash on the floors or steps;
- Insufficient, malfunctioning, or nonexistent fire safety systems; and
- Failing to abate unsafe conditions or warn visitors about known hazardous conditions or conditions they should reasonably know of given proper inspection.
Additionally, a property owner, manager, or caretaker’s legal duty includes providing adequate security on the property or warning visitors of known any known crime risk. For example, if a supermarket knows multiple muggings or assaults occurred in their dark parking lot but don’t install or repair lights, warn guests, hire security, or take other reasonable measures to abate or warn about this hazard, they may be negligent and, subsequently, liable if someone is injured in a subsequent mugging in the parking lot.
What can I Recover if I win my Case?
If you’re injured in an accident as a guest or visitor, it’s understandable to wonder what recovery you might receive – severe injuries, exorbitant medical bills, and inability to work resulting from a hazardous condition can all change your life and finances overnight. If you can establish negligence, you may be able to recover damages from the liable party to make you whole for your injuries such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (companionship)
Some victims may be entitled to addition damages to punish a defendant’s reprehensible conduct and discourage repetition of the behavior. It’s difficult to satisfy the burden proof for these additional punitive damages, so it’s advisable to work with an experienced Moreno Valley Premises Liability Attorney to navigate these tricky legal waters.
Speak to a Moreno Valley Premises Liability Attorney Today
If you were injured by hazardous conditions while visiting someone’s property in Moreno Valley or the surrounding area, contact the knowledgeable Moreno Valley Premises Liability Attorneys at Walton Law, APC today. Our attorneys have years of experience delivering aggressive, personalized representation for victims just like you and delivering results; we’ve secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Contact us at (866)-338-7079 or use our online Contact Page to schedule a risk free, no obligation case review today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you. The initial consultation is free, and you do not pay until we win your case. Let our attorneys evaluate the facts of your unique situation and fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf so you can focus on getting your life back on track.