Maison Law can help you if you’re injured in what’s called a “premises liability” accident in Livermore. There’s no shortage of places in Livermore where a normal day can take an unexpected turn. Maybe you’re running errands near First Street, stopping by a shop downtown, visiting a friend’s house, or getting a jog in at Sycamore Grove Park. When a property isn’t properly maintained, it doesn’t take much for you to end up being hurt. We can help you from there. Set up a free consultation today.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Premises Liability Accident?
After getting hurt on someone else’s property, calling a lawyer probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. And in some situations, minor injuries can be handled without legal help. But even then, insurance claims, paperwork, and figuring out who’s responsible can get overwhelming fast. Our role is to take that weight off your shoulders. We can help by:
- Looking closely at what actually happened, even when the details aren’t clear
- Explaining your options in plain, everyday language
- Gathering and protecting evidence before it disappears
- Identifying who’s legally responsible for the unsafe conditions
- Handling insurance claims—and stepping in if a lawsuit becomes necessary
Most importantly, we focus on making this process easier for you and your family. You’ve already been through enough. But in this situation, evidence and information is going to be at a premium.
What Evidence Helps a Livermore Premises Liability Claim?
It’s true that you have options when you’re injured on someone else’s property, but to build a strong claim, it’s not enough to say you were injured. You need to show:
- How the accident happened, and
- Why it was someone else’s responsibility
That’s where evidence comes in. Here’s what can really help you:
- Pictures/video. Images showing what caused the injury can be incredibly powerful. This might be a cracked sidewalk near downtown Livermore, a spill in a grocery store aisle, a broken stair at an apartment complex, or a pool area without proper fencing. Multiple angles help tell the full story.
- Incident reports and maintenance records. Reports, inspection notes, or maintenance logs can show whether a property owner knew—or should have known—about the danger and failed to fix it.
- Medical records. From the ER visit to follow-up appointments, medical documentation connects your injuries directly to the accident and shows how serious the impact has been.
- Witness statements. Anyone who saw what happened—neighbors, other shoppers, coworkers—can help confirm what caused the injury and back up your account.
- How the injury changed your daily life. Missed work, activities you can’t do anymore, and ongoing pain all matter. This helps show the real impact beyond medical bills.
- Expert opinions. In more serious cases, safety professionals or engineers can explain why a condition was dangerous and how it should have been addressed.
Every case is different, but these pieces are often the foundation of a solid premises liability claim. But this brings us to another big question: who’s responsible?
Who’s Responsible for a Premises Liability Injury?
Responsibility usually comes down to negligence—whether someone failed to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe. The law looks at a few key questions:
- Duty of care. Were you allowed or invited to be there? If so, the property owner likely had a responsibility to keep things safe.
- Knowledge of the hazard. Did they know—or should they have known—about the dangerous condition?
- Failure to act. Did they ignore the problem or fail to fix it in time?
While property owners are often responsible, liability doesn’t always stop there. Others may also share responsibility, like:
- Employees
- Property management companies
- Maintenance or cleaning crews
- Event organizers
- City or county agencies (although this changes the claims process)
- Equipment manufacturers
For example, a damaged sidewalk near a Livermore park may involve city maintenance, while a wet floor in a big-box store could involve staff or outside contractors. All of this comes into play when you need to move forward with a claim.
What Are My Options for Filing a Premises Liability Claim?
Facing an injury on someone else’s property is confusing, but when it happens because somebody was negligent, it’s like any other injury in terms of your options for filing a claim. Basically, you have two main options here:
- Filing an insurance claim. This is often the first step. A claim against the property owner’s insurance may cover medical bills, lost income, and other costs—but insurance doesn’t always move quickly or offer full coverage.
- Filing a lawsuit. If insurance falls short, a personal injury lawsuit may be an option. This allows you to go after “damages” for the full impact of the injury, including:
- Medical care (ER visits, surgery, therapy, ongoing treatment)
- Lost wages or missed work opportunities
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment in daily life
- Damage to personal property
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. With that said, if the accident was on public property (overseen by the city, county, or state, for example), you typically have just six months to file. One way or the other, though, it’s best to act sooner rather than later. Problems and hazards get covered up quickly in these kinds of accidents, so it’s vital to understand what happened and document it.
Where Do Premises Liability Accidents Happen in Livermore?
This is probably the toughest part of a premises liability accident—they can happen anywhere. With that said, they tend to happen in the same kinds of places over and over again in Livermore:
- Local businesses. Busy shopping areas around Downtown Livermore, along First Street, or out near the Livermore Outlets see a lot of foot traffic. Spills that don’t get cleaned up, crowded aisles, uneven entryways, or worn steps can turn a quick stop for groceries or dinner into an unexpected injury.
- Parks and outdoor spaces. Livermore has no shortage of outdoor spots, from neighborhood playgrounds to popular trails at Sycamore Grove Park. Uneven paths, cracked pavement, loose railings, or aging equipment can be easy to miss—until someone trips or falls.
- Homes and apartment complexes. Falls on stairs, loose handrails, or unfenced pools happen more often than people expect—even during casual visits.
- Public sidewalks and streets. Cracked or uneven pavement in neighborhoods or commercial areas can be especially dangerous for pedestrians.
- Pools and gyms. Wet surfaces, missing warning signs, or unsafe equipment can quickly lead to injuries.
As you can see, premises liability accidents can happen virtually anywhere in Livermore. The key thing for you to understand, though, is that you don’t have to go through it alone. Our team at Maison Law will be there to guide you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a claim against the city?
Yes. If you’re hurt on public property—like a sidewalk, park, or government building—the city may be responsible if negligence played a role.
What types of accidents are covered?
Premises liability includes injuries from unsafe conditions such as slip-and-falls, dog bites, pool accidents, falling objects, stairway falls, fires, electrical hazards, and poor security.
What if I don’t know who owns the property?
That’s okay. You should focus on getting medical care first, then turn your attention to pictures of the hazard to show what hurt you. Our team can handle figuring out who’s responsible.
Reach Out to Maison Law for Help With a Livermore Premises Liability Claim
When you’re out and about in Livermore, the last thing you expect is to be hurt because of something you have no control over. Unfortunately, premises liability accidents are common throughout the city. But that doesn’t make things any easier. What makes things easier is working with our team at Maison Law. We’ll explain your options and help you through the claims process. Reach out today to set up a free consultation today to get started.
