Westwood Premises Liability Lawyer

Were you injured on someone else’s property in Westwood? 

At Cohen Injury Law Group, we are plaintiff-focused premises liability lawyers preparing every case with experience and dedication.

If you have been injured on someone else’s property in Westwood due to a hazardous condition that the owner failed to address, an attorney can help you pursue compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, and related damages. Our Westwood, CA premises liability lawyer at Cohen Injury Law Group handles property injury claims on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Founding attorney Wayne R. Cohen has represented personal injury clients since 1991. Contact our office for a free consultation.

Premises Liability Lawyer Westwood, CA

Premises liability is the area of law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible when unsafe conditions on their property injure someone. Under California negligence law, owners owe a duty of reasonable care to anyone lawfully on their premises. If they fail to inspect, repair, or warn visitors about a known hazard, they can be held financially liable for the injuries that follow.

These claims arise on all kinds of property. Retail stores, apartment complexes, parking structures, restaurants, office buildings, private homes, and public sidewalks have all been the sites of premises liability cases in the Westwood area. A premises liability attorney in Westwood, CA can investigate how the injury happened, identify who bears responsibility, and pursue compensation through the property owner’s insurance or through a civil lawsuit.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Westwood

Property hazards come in many forms. The type of dangerous condition determines which legal theories apply and which parties can be held accountable. We handle premises liability cases across Westwood, including:

• Slip and fall accidents. These are the most common premises liability claims we see. Wet floors, cracked walkways, loose carpeting, uneven surfaces, and missing handrails all fall into this category. The property owner’s obligation is to fix the hazard or warn visitors about it, and failure to do either can support a claim.
• Negligent security. Not all premises liability cases involve a physical hazard. When a property owner fails to provide working locks, adequate lighting, surveillance cameras, or security personnel, and a visitor is assaulted or robbed as a result, the owner may bear liability for the harm.
• Swimming pool accidents. Proper fencing, non-slip surfaces, drain covers, depth markers, and warning signage are all required around pool areas operated by apartment complexes, hotels, and fitness centers. Drowning, near-drowning, and fall injuries at poorly maintained pools give rise to some of the most serious premises liability claims.
• Burn injuries. Faulty electrical wiring, gas leaks, fire hazards, and chemical exposure on a property can all cause severe burns. If the property owner knew about the condition or should have discovered it through routine inspection, a premises liability claim is viable.
• Elevator and escalator injuries. A malfunctioning elevator that stops between floors or an escalator that jerks without warning can cause fractures, crush injuries, and head trauma. The property owner and the elevator maintenance company may both be at fault.
• Toxic exposure. Mold behind drywall, asbestos in older buildings, lead paint in residential units, chemical fumes from commercial operations. These hazards develop slowly and are often invisible to tenants. Landlords and property managers who ignore known contamination risks face significant liability.
• Inadequate property maintenance. Rotting decks, broken railings, unstable balconies, and crumbling structural elements create risks that worsen with time. Routine inspections would catch most of these problems. When they are neglected, the property owner is typically responsible for injuries that result.
• Construction site hazards. Falling debris, open excavations, and unguarded work zones on or adjacent to a property create dangers for visitors and neighboring residents. Depending on who controlled the site, both the property owner and the general contractor may share liability.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group as My Premises Liability Lawyer in Westwood, CA?

Experience Holding Property Owners Accountable

As a Professorial Lecturer at GWU Law School and a cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, attorney Wayne R. Cohen brings both academic depth and courtroom experience to every premises liability case. He graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan and went on to found Cohen Injury Law Group. Wayne has spent more than 35 years representing injured plaintiffs, and his legal analysis has been cited by the LA Times, CNBC, USA Today, and the ABA Journal. Over his career, attorney Wayne Cohen has recovered millions of dollars for clients with serious injuries.

Nicholas E. Cohen manages the firm’s client intake and case strategy as Managing Partner. He earned his law degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles after completing his undergraduate studies at USC.

Cohen Injury Law Group represents plaintiffs exclusively in premises liability and other personal injury matters. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Westwood, CA, we take every case on a contingency basis and do not represent property owners, insurance companies, or defendants.

What Is Important to Understand About a Premises Liability Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Premises Liability Cases

Every premises liability case starts with the same question: did the property owner maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition? California law says they must. They are also required to warn visitors about hazards that are not obvious. When an owner falls short and someone gets hurt, the injured person can pursue two categories of damages.

Economic damages cover the costs you can document: hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and income lost while you recover. Noneconomic damages are harder to quantify but equally real. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring or disfigurement, and the broader effect the injury has had on your daily life. When the injuries are catastrophic, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, or permanent disability, future medical costs and lost earning capacity often make up the largest share of the claim.

What Are Important Aspects of a Premises Liability Case?

Premises liability claims hinge on proof that is specific to property-injury cases. Getting these elements right from the beginning makes a meaningful difference.

• Knowledge is the central question. Did the property owner actually know about the hazard? If not, had the condition been present long enough that a reasonable owner would have found and corrected it? The answer determines whether liability attaches.
• Not all hazards are created equal. A structural defect present for six months is very different from a liquid spill that appeared two minutes before the accident. How long the condition existed and whether the owner had a chance to address it both carry significant weight.
• California law generally extends the same duty of care to all lawful visitors. Trespassers receive more limited protections, though some exceptions apply.
• What you do after the injury matters too. Failing to report the incident to the property owner, waiting days to see a doctor, or neglecting to photograph the scene are common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong claims.

What Is the Premises Liability Case Timeline?

These cases sometimes take longer than other personal injury matters. Establishing the property owner’s knowledge of a hazard requires gathering maintenance records, inspection logs, and prior complaints, which can be a slow process.

• First, seek medical treatment and report the incident to the property owner in writing. Take photographs of the hazard and the surrounding area. These steps create the factual record that supports the claim.
• Your attorney then investigates the property’s history, looking for building code violations, prior complaints about similar conditions, and gaps in the owner’s maintenance schedule.
• Once you finish treatment, your attorney calculates the full value of damages and sends a demand to the property owner’s insurer.
• If negotiations do not produce a fair result, your attorney files a civil lawsuit. Discovery, depositions, and trial preparation follow.
• Under CCP § 335.1, California provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including premises liability.

What Should You Bring to Your Premises Liability Consultation?

The more documentation you bring to the first meeting, the faster your attorney can assess the claim.

• Photographs of the hazardous condition, the location, and your injuries
• Any incident report filed with the property owner or manager
• Medical records and bills from treatment connected to the injury
• Contact information for anyone who witnessed the condition or the accident
• Written correspondence from the property owner, their insurer, or their management company

Your attorney will go through these materials, explain how California premises liability law applies, and walk you through what to expect from the process.

What Are Important California Legal Resources for Premises Liability Cases?

California’s premises liability framework rests on statutes addressing negligence, duty of care, and the statute of limitations. These resources can help you locate the applicable law.

• CCP § 335.1 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California, including premises liability cases.
• California Civil Code § 1714 defines the general duty of care that applies to property owners and all other persons in the state.
• The California Courts Self-Help Center provides guidance on how personal injury lawsuits are filed and what to expect during litigation.
• OSHA’s walking-working surface standards address workplace slip, trip, and fall hazards and can serve as evidence of industry maintenance standards in commercial premises liability cases.
• The CDC’s fall injury data documents the national scope of fall-related injuries, which remain among the leading causes of emergency department visits in the United States.

Reach Out to Cohen Injury Law Group to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured on someone else’s property in Westwood, CA, Cohen Injury Law Group can help you determine whether the property owner may be liable for your injuries. We handle premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we recover compensation. Your first consultation is free. Contact us to schedule a case review.