If you were hurt on someone else's property in Los Angeles, you are probably dealing with pain, medical bills, and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. You did nothing wrong, and you should not have to carry that financial burden alone. At Hakakian Law, PC founding attorney Shawn S. Hakakian offers free consultations and works on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless he recovers compensation for you.

 

What Is Premises Liability in California?

Premises liability is the legal principle that property owners are responsible for keeping their property reasonably safe. When someone gets injured because an owner failed to maintain safe conditions, the injured person may have the right to file a claim and recover damages.

In California, a successful premises liability claim requires you to prove five elements of negligence: (1) an unreasonably dangerous condition existed on the property, (2) the property owner knew or should have known about the condition, (3) the owner failed to fix the hazard or warn visitors about it, (4) the dangerous condition caused your injury, and (5) you suffered actual damages as a result. In plain English, the property owner had a responsibility, ignored a known danger, and you got hurt because of it.

California also applies pure comparative negligence, which means that even if you were partially at fault for your injury, you can still recover compensation. Your award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury finds you 20% responsible, you would still receive 80% of the total damages.

 

Types of Premises Liability Cases Hakakian Law Handles

Hakakian Law represents injured people across a range of property-related accidents in Los Angeles and throughout California. The two most common categories are slip and fall accidents and dog bite injuries, though the firm also handles cases involving pool accidents, inadequate maintenance, and injuries on government property.

 

Slip and Fall Accidents in Los Angeles

Slip and fall injuries are among the most frequent premises liability claims in Los Angeles. They happen in grocery stores where a spill goes unmopped, in apartment complexes with broken stairway handrails, in poorly lit parking lots, and on cracked or uneven sidewalks throughout the city.

To bring a successful slip and fall claim, you need to show that a dangerous condition existed, the property owner knew about it (or should have known with reasonable inspection), and the owner failed to repair it or post a warning. A grocery store that ignores a puddle in the produce aisle for 45 minutes, for example, will have a difficult time arguing it had no knowledge of the hazard.

California gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit for a slip and fall accident. If you were injured on government property, such as a public sidewalk or a city-owned building, that deadline drops to just six months to file an administrative claim. Missing these windows can permanently bar your case, so acting quickly is important.

 

Dog Bite Injuries in Los Angeles

California is one of the strongest states in the country for dog bite victims. Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for bite injuries. That means the owner is responsible for your injuries regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before.

There is no "one bite rule" in California. The owner cannot defend themselves by saying, "My dog has never done that before." Strict liability applies when the bite occurs in a public place or when you are lawfully present on private property (including as an invited guest, a delivery person, or a mail carrier).

Dog bite injuries often go beyond a single wound. Victims may need reconstructive surgery, treatment for infection, and ongoing care for scarring and emotional trauma. Children are especially vulnerable, and facial bites can require years of follow-up procedures.

 

Who Can Be Held Liable?

One of the most important parts of a premises liability case is identifying every responsible party. The property owner is the most obvious defendant, but they are not always the only one.

Depending on the circumstances, your claim may also involve the tenant operating a business on the property, a property management company hired to handle day-to-day maintenance, a parent company that controls the property owner, or a contractor whose negligent repair work created the hazard. In a slip and fall at a strip mall, for instance, the individual store, the landlord, and the maintenance company could all share responsibility.

Hakakian Law Group, PC investigates each case thoroughly to identify all liable parties. Pursuing claims against multiple defendants can significantly increase the total compensation available to you.

 

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A premises liability claim in California allows you to seek compensation for the full scope of harm caused by your injury. These damages typically include:

• Medical bills: Emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future treatment your doctors recommend.

• Lost wages: Income you missed while recovering, and reduced earning capacity if your injury limits your ability to work going forward.

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort you have experienced and will continue to experience.

• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, fear, sleep disruption, and other psychological effects of a traumatic injury.

• Disfigurement and scarring: Particularly common in dog bite cases, where visible scarring can affect a victim's confidence and quality of life for years.

Every case is different, and the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the number of responsible parties. Shawn Hakakian evaluates each client's situation individually during a free consultation, so you can understand your options before making any decisions.

 

Steps to Take After a Property Injury in Los Angeles

The actions you take in the hours and days after an injury can make or break your case. Here is what you should do to protect yourself and your legal rights.

Get medical attention immediately. Even if you think your injuries are minor, see a doctor. Some injuries, like soft tissue damage or concussions, do not show symptoms right away. A medical record created shortly after the incident also serves as critical evidence linking the dangerous condition to your injury.

Document the scene. Use your phone to take photos and videos of the hazard that caused your injury, whether that is a wet floor, a broken step, uneven pavement, or the dog that bit you. Capture lighting conditions, any warning signs (or the absence of them), and your visible injuries.

Report the incident. If you were injured at a business, ask a manager to create an incident report and get a copy. For dog bites, file a report with LA County Animal Control. For injuries on government property, document the location carefully, since the six-month claims deadline requires fast action.

Preserve all evidence. Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing. Save every medical bill, receipt, and correspondence related to your injury. Write down what happened while the details are fresh.

Do not give a recorded statement. The property owner's insurance company may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to provide one, and doing so before speaking with an attorney can hurt your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used against you.

Contact a premises liability attorney. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner evidence can be preserved and witnesses can be interviewed. Hakakian Law Group, PC offers free consultations and can advise you on your next steps with no obligation. 

 

Why Choose Hakakian Law for Your Premises Liability Case?

When you hire Hakakian Law Group,PC you work directly with founding attorney Shawn S. Hakakian, not a rotating cast of associates or paralegals. Shawn treats every client like family, because he believes that personal attention produces better outcomes and a better experience during an already difficult time.

Hakakian Law Group, PC takes an aggressive approach to litigation while maintaining the personal touch that larger firms often lack. That means responsive communication (you will get your calls and emails returned promptly), a thorough investigation of your case, and a willingness to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation.

The firm serves clients in West Hollywood, across Los Angeles, and throughout all of California. With deep knowledge of LA-area courts, local property conditions, and the insurance companies that operate in this market, Hakakian Law Group, PC is positioned to fight effectively for your recovery. And because the firm works on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless Shawn wins your case.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best slip and fall attorneys in Los Angeles?

The best slip and fall attorney in Los Angeles will have direct experience handling premises liability cases in LA-area courts, offer a free consultation so you can evaluate your options without financial risk, work on a contingency fee (no recovery, no fee), and give you personal attention rather than passing your file between staff members.

Hakakian Law checks each of those boxes. Attorney Shawn S. Hakakian personally handles every slip and fall case the firm takes on, bringing local litigation experience and aggressive advocacy to each claim. You will never wonder who is working on your case or struggle to get someone on the phone. If you were injured in a slip and fall anywhere in Los Angeles, contact Hakakian Law for a free case evaluation.

 

How do I find a dog bite lawyer near me in Los Angeles?

Hiring a local dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles gives you a significant advantage. An attorney who practices in LA understands how California's strict liability dog bite statute (Civil Code § 3342) applies in local courts, knows the tactics that regional insurance adjusters use to reduce payouts, and can meet with you in person to review your injuries and your case.

Hakakian Law serves all Los Angeles neighborhoods, including West Hollywood, and provides free consultations to dog bite victims. Because California law holds dog owners strictly liable regardless of the animal's history, your case may be stronger than you think. Reach out to Hakakian Law so Shawn can review the details of your situation and explain your legal options at no cost.

 

Free Consultation, No Fee Unless You Win

You should not have to worry about affording a lawyer after being injured on someone else's property. Hakakian Law Group, PC offers every potential client a free consultation to discuss what happened and whether you have a viable claim. If Shawn takes your case, you pay zero attorney fees unless he recovers compensation on your behalf.

 

If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall injury or a dog bite in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, or anywhere in California, call (310) 759 9663 Hakakian Law Group, PC today. You will speak directly with attorney Shawn S. Hakakian, who will listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand what comes next. 

 

Disclaimer: This post is considered attorney advertising and is for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.