Sacramento Slip, Trip or Fall Injury Accidents

Premises Liability refers to the liability of certain persons for injuries and damages to others arising from the ownership or possession of real property. In California, premises liability is based on general principles of negligence and is controlled both by statute and case law.

Premises liability actions have traditionally involved "slip and fall" or "trip and fall" causes of action. Premises liability is not, however, limited to such causes of action and includes, among other things, construction accidents, dog bite cases, lead poisoning, defective and/or inoperative lighting, failure to warn of hazardous conditions, and injuries caused by the negligent or willful conduct of third persons on the premises involved.

In determining who is liable in a premises liability action, the crucial elements are ownership, possession, and control of the premises. The person who owns, possesses, or controls the premises is the one responsible for any injuries arising from a condition of the premises.

The landowner's duty differs based on the status of the occupier and the visitor. There are three different legal types of visitors and the degree of responsibility owed by the owner varies according to the status of the injured person. The three types of visitors are:

• Invitees or business visitors - An invitee is a business visitor who is invited or permitted to enter or remain on the land of another for the purpose directly or indirectly connected with business dealings between such person and the owner or possessor of the land.
• Licensee - A licensee is a person who comes onto the land of another by consent or permission, but for his or her own purpose having no relation to the business of the owner or occupant.
• Trespassers - A trespasser is a person who enters or remains on the land of another without a privilege or consent to do so.

The term "invitee" is misleading. A social guest may be invited, but is still considered to be a licensee. The distinguishing characteristic of an invitee is a mutual business interest with the occupant of the premises, while a licensee is on the premises for his or her own purpose.

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