Premises Liability Our team is focused on providing you and your family the best possible representation.

Premises Liability Attorney in Sacramento

Injury Claims on Someone Else’s Property, Handled by a Trial-Ready Firm

California law holds property owners responsible when a dangerous condition on their property injures a lawful visitor. When that happens, insurance companies move fast to protect their client’s bottom line. We move faster to protect yours. At Del Rio & Caraway, P.C., we represent people injured on someone else’s property throughout Sacramento, and we don’t settle for less than what a case may be worth.

Our personal injury practice carries over 50 years of combined legal experience, recognition from Forbes and Super Lawyers, and a record of settlements and verdicts ranging from $1.5 million to $5 million. That record reflects a firm that prepares every case for trial rather than rushing toward a quick resolution.

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, don’t let the insurance company shape what happens next. Call us any time at (916) 229-6755 for a free consultation, available 24/7.

Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Sacramento

We handle premises liability claims arising from a wide range of incidents and property types. Whether the accident happened at a commercial business or a private residence, the same core legal framework applies.

Common case types include:

Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents on wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained walkways
Dog bites on the property owner’s premises
Negligent security where a property owner’s failure to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal conduct leads to assault or injury
Swimming pool accidents involving unsafe deck conditions or inadequate barriers
Dangerous property conditions such as broken stairs, defective handrails, or inadequate lighting

These claims arise across grocery stores, restaurants, parking structures, apartment complexes, hotels, and public property. No matter where the injury occurred, the question at the center of every case is the same: did the property owner fail to keep the premises reasonably safe?

Why Sacramento Clients Choose Del Rio & Caraway, P.C.

Many firms handle premises liability cases. We’re willing to take a case to court when the insurance company’s offer falls short. We are. Our entire approach is built around preparing cases for trial from the start.

Trial Readiness
We don’t back down from powerful insurance companies or corporate defendants. Meticulous case preparation and a willingness to litigate fully are part of what defines our reputation in Sacramento County Superior Court.

Communication You Can Count On
Calls and emails are returned quickly, often the same day. We use text updates to keep clients informed at every stage, and our staff follows up regularly to check on treatment and case progress. Clients tell us the pressure from insurers eased once we stepped in.

Northern California Roots
Many of our attorneys and staff have deep professional ties to Northern California, including graduates of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. That foundation gives us genuine familiarity with Sacramento-area courts, judges, and the regional legal landscape.

No Fees Unless We Recover
We handle every premises liability case on a contingency basis. You pay no legal fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf, which means anyone who’s been injured can access our full representation regardless of their financial situation.

Get a Free Consultation Today

You shouldn’t have to face insurance pressure and legal complexity alone after an injury. We’re available around the clock to review your situation and help you understand your options at no cost. Call us now at (916) 229-6755 or reach out online to get started.

We are available 24/7

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What California Premises Liability Law Requires

California Civil Code § 1714(a) requires property owners to use ordinary care to prevent harm to others on their property. That duty covers inspecting the premises, repairing hazardous conditions, and warning visitors of dangers that aren’t obvious. To succeed in a premises liability claim, the injured party generally must prove four elements: the defendant owned, leased, occupied, or controlled the property; the defendant was negligent in its use or maintenance; the plaintiff was harmed; and that negligence was a substantial factor in causing the harm.

The Notice Question

Notice is often the most contested element in these cases. Actual notice means the owner knew about the dangerous condition. Constructive notice means the condition existed long enough that a reasonable inspection would have found it. When the owner’s own employees or equipment created the hazard, the notice analysis may shift in the plaintiff’s favor.

Damages You May Be Entitled to Seek

California doesn’t cap economic or noneconomic damages in premises liability cases.

Economic damages may include:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity

Noneconomic damages may include:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Permanent disability or disfigurement

Premises liability accidents frequently cause serious, lasting injuries: traumatic brain injuries, hip fractures, spinal damage, and severe orthopedic harm. California’s pure comparative fault system allows recovery even when the injured party shares some responsibility. Damages are reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s percentage of fault, but partial fault doesn’t eliminate a claim. In cases where an injury proves fatal, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim separately.

Filing a Premises Liability Claim in Sacramento County

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, injured parties have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. Missing that deadline will generally bar a claim entirely, no matter how strong the evidence is. Two exceptions are worth knowing: when the injured party is a minor, the clock typically doesn’t begin running until they turn 18, and when a government entity owns the property, the Government Claims Act imposes a shorter administrative filing deadline that can arrive well before the two-year mark.

Premises liability cases filed in Sacramento are heard at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Superior Court. Acting quickly after an injury also protects your claim in a practical sense. Surveillance footage cycles out, incident reports become harder to obtain, and witness recollections fade. The period immediately following an accident is when evidence is most accessible.

If you’re uncertain whether a deadline applies to your situation, that’s exactly the kind of question a free consultation with our Sacramento premises liability lawyers can answer. Call Del Rio & Caraway, P.C. any time at (916) 229-6755. There are no fees unless we recover for you.

Where Premises Liability Claims Arise in Sacramento

Certain property types and locations in Sacramento produce injury claims with regularity. Understanding where accidents commonly happen helps clarify whether a situation may support a claim.

Grocery Stores & Retail Spaces
Wet floors from spills and leaking refrigeration equipment are among the most common hazards in Sacramento’s grocery and retail environment. These conditions are frequently documented in incident reports and surveillance footage.

Restaurants & Bars
Sacramento’s Midtown, East Sacramento, and R Street Corridor dining scene generates premises claims from tracked-in water, unmarked wet floors, and inadequate lighting in entry and exit areas.

Parking Structures
Downtown Sacramento parking structures, including those serving the Capitol Mall corridor, are a consistent source of slip, trip, and fall claims tied to cracked pavement, poor lighting, and drainage failures.

Apartment Complexes & Rental Properties
Landlords who fail to maintain safe conditions in common areas, stairwells, laundry rooms, and walkways create liability exposure when those conditions injure tenants or guests.

Pools at Residential & Commercial Properties
Sacramento’s climate supports year-round pool use, and deck conditions and barrier requirements create recurring liability issues at residential complexes, hotels, and fitness facilities.

Old Sacramento
The brick and cobblestone surfaces of Old Sacramento, combined with heavy tourist foot traffic, produce consistent tripping and slipping hazards, particularly after rain.

Negligent Security as a Premises Liability Claim

A property owner’s duty under California Civil Code § 1714(a) extends beyond physical hazards. When a property owner fails to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal conduct, that failure can give rise to a negligent security claim.

The central question is foreseeability: did prior incidents on or near the property, the character of the surrounding area, or the nature of the business itself give the owner reason to anticipate the risk? A documented history of criminal activity is evidence that reasonable precautions may have been warranted.

Reasonable security measures can range from adequate lighting and functioning cameras to security personnel, working access gates, or prompt notification to law enforcement when incidents occur. Negligent security claims most often arise at late-night commercial venues, apartment complexes, parking structures, and transit-adjacent properties. When a property owner ignores a foreseeable risk and a visitor is harmed as a result, California law may hold them accountable.

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We'll go toe-to-toe with insurance companies on your behalf to make sure you're getting a fair settlement and take care of all of the negotiations that follow.
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Every case posses its own unique challenges, which is why we always adjust our approach based upon the specific circumstances surrounding your case.
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