California Premises Liability Law: Defining the Invitee

When it comes to California slip and fall cases, property owners have a duty to protect almost anyone on their property, to some extent. They have the biggest and clearest duty to protect invitees: those who are on their property because of an invitation, and those who are on the property to conduct business. The invitation can be either express or implied; an implied invitation might come from a store which welcomes customers to shop on its premises.

Examples of an invitee include:

• A person shopping at a grocery store
• A customer visiting a bank for financial advice
• A plumber on a property to fix a leak

If you were an invitee on a private property at the time of your slip and fall accident, you should know that the property owner has certain obligations to protect you from harm and to prevent injuries. You have certain legal rights as a business visitor on their property. For example, the property owner generally has a duty to inspect his property for dangers, eliminate any hazards they find in a reasonable amount of time, and warn invitees of possible hazards which can’t be made safe or are in the process of being fixed.

Orange County Premises Liability Attorney 

Slip and fall cases can be complex and confusing, especially if you aren’t sure whether you were an invitee on a person’s private property, or if you aren’t sure if a property owner had a duty to protect you from hazards. Speaking with an experienced Orange County premises liability lawyer can help you understand the legal aspects of your accident, as well as your best options for filing a claim. At Russell & Lazarus, we offer free case evaluations to injury victims in need of legal assistance. To schedule your confidential meeting, call 885-881-2400.