Premises Liability Attorney in Palo Alto
Injured on Unsafe Property in the Bay Area? Call Us
A sudden fall, a collapsing stairway, or another incident on someone else’s property can change your life in seconds. You may be left with painful injuries, medical appointments, and time away from work, and you might not know if the property owner is legally at fault. In this situation, you should not have to navigate complex California premises liability rules on your own.
Our experienced team at Needham Kepner & Fish LLP is dedicated to helping people who are hurt because homes, businesses, and other properties were not kept reasonably safe. We work to sort out what happened, identify who may be responsible, and pursue financial recovery for our clients’ losses.
We combine focused personal injury representation with mediation services, so we can pursue fair outcomes through negotiation, mediated resolution, or litigation when that is necessary. If you were hurt on dangerous property, we can review your situation, explain your options, and handle the legal process while you focus on your health.
If you're searching for help from a premises liability lawyer in Palo Alto, CA, give our team a call at (408) 716-1668. We offer free consultations.
What Is Premises Liability?
California premises liability law generally requires property owners and those who control property to keep it in a reasonably safe condition. This includes inspecting for hazards, repairing problems within a reasonable time, and warning visitors about dangers that are not obvious. When they fail to do that, and someone is injured as a result, a premises liability claim may be appropriate.
Liability often turns on whether the person in control of the property knew, or should have known, about a dangerous condition. For example, a store might be responsible if a spill was left on the floor long enough that staff reasonably should have discovered and cleaned it.
The duty of care a property owner owes can also depend on the classification of the visitor.
Classifications of visitors include:
- Invitees: These individuals are on the property for the owner’s benefit, such as customers in a store. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, including regularly inspecting the property and repairing or warning of dangerous conditions.
- Licensees: These visitors enter the property for their own purposes with the owner’s permission, such as social guests in a home. Property owners must take reasonable steps to warn licensees of known hazards.
- Trespassers: These individuals enter the property without permission. Property owners generally must refrain from willfully or intentionally causing harm.
No matter how complex your case may be, our Palo Alto premises liability attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue accountability for unsafe conditions.
Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Palo Alto
Property-related injuries do not only happen in dramatic situations. Many start with everyday activities, such as shopping, visiting an office, or returning to an apartment. Around Palo Alto, people move between retail centers along El Camino Real, apartment communities near Stanford University, office buildings, restaurants, and parking structures that serve local businesses. When those locations are not maintained with reasonable care, serious injuries can occur.
We handle the following types of premises liability cases:
- Dog bites
- Drowning accidents
- Negligent security
- Slip and falls
If your incident happened in this part of the Bay Area and involved conditions like these or other hazards, our premises liability lawyer in Palo Alto can assess whether the facts support a claim under California law.
What to Do After a Property Injury
The steps you take after an injury on someone else’s property can affect both your health and your legal rights. It is understandable to feel shaken or embarrassed after a fall or other incident, but it is important to focus on safety first and then on preserving information about what occurred.
After a premises injury, consider these steps:
- Call for help: Contact 911 and get prompt medical care to have your injuries properly evaluated and treated.
- Report the incident: Notify the property owner, manager, or staff on duty so there is an official record of what occurred.
- Document the scene: Take photos of hazards, the area, and any visible injuries to preserve evidence for your claim.
- Collect witness information: Gather names and contact details of anyone who saw the incident to support your account.
- Keep records: Save copies of medical bills, treatment records, and any written communications related to the injury.
- Be cautious of insurance companies: Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting quick settlement offers from insurers before consulting a lawyer.
Our Palo Alto premises liability lawyer can step in early to help preserve evidence, identify any surveillance footage that may exist, and handle conversations with insurance adjusters. By contacting a premises liability attorney in Palo Alto promptly, you give us more opportunity to document conditions before they are changed and to guard your interests from the beginning of the claims process.
Why Choose Our Premises Liability Team
When you are recovering from an injury, you need more than general legal information. You need a legal team that can take control of the claim, gather the right evidence, and stand up to insurance companies that want to limit what they pay. Our attorneys handle the full personal injury claim process, from investigating unsafe property conditions to managing every communication with insurers.
Choose our team to benefit from:
- Decades of experience: Needham Kepner & Fish LLP has a proven track record of obtaining significant settlements for injured clients.
- Personalized attention: We offer a blend of large-firm resources and the individualized focus clients expect from a smaller practice.
- Mediation services: For some premises liability claims, mediation provides a practical way to resolve the case outside of court, reducing stress and helping both sides reach a resolution efficiently.
If you were hurt on unsafe property, you do not have to face property owners and insurance companies alone. The legal and insurance process can be confusing, and it is easy to worry about saying or doing something that might harm your claim. Speaking with our team can help you understand your rights and next steps.
Call (408) 716-1668 to speak with our team today. Let our compassionate premises liability lawyer in Palo Alto, CA, help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a premises liability claim usually take?
The timing varies based on factors such as the severity of your injuries, how long treatment lasts, the number of parties involved, and how willing insurers are to negotiate. Some claims resolve through settlement or mediation, while others require litigation. We keep you informed about realistic timeframes.
What if I was partly at fault for my injury?
In California, comparative fault rules mean you may still recover compensation even if you share some responsibility. Your recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault. We can evaluate the facts, discuss how fault might be allocated, and advise whether it still makes sense to pursue a claim.
