San Mateo Premises Liability Lawyer

Property owners in San Mateo have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors, customers, tenants, and guests. When they fail to do so, preventable accidents happen. A loose handrail, uneven flooring, poor lighting, or neglected outdoor walkways can quickly turn an ordinary visit into a serious injury.

At Galine, Frye, Fitting, & Frangos, we represent people throughout San Mateo who were injured because a property owner failed to address known hazards or maintain safe conditions. Premises liability cases are not about bad luck. They are about accountability. When unsafe conditions cause harm, the injured person deserves answers and fair compensation.

Premises liability law in California exists to hold property owners accountable when unsafe conditions lead to physical pain, emotional distress, mounting medical bills, or lost wages for accident victims in San Mateo.

If you or a loved one were hurt on someone else’s property, we offer free consultations and clear guidance from the start. Our role is to protect your rights and pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of the injury.

Understanding Premises Liability in California

Premises liability is a personal injury area of law that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for injuries caused by dangerous conditions. These cases arise in many settings, including private homes, apartment complexes, retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, parking lots, and public walkways.

California law requires property owners to take reasonable steps to inspect their property, repair hazards, and warn visitors of dangerous conditions. When a property owner fails to maintain safe premises or address known risks, they may be held liable through a personal injury lawsuit brought by injury victims seeking compensation.

Premises liability claims often hinge on whether the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and whether reasonable action was taken to address it. These cases require careful investigation and documentation.

Where Premises Liability Accidents Commonly Occur in San Mateo

Injuries caused by unsafe property conditions can happen almost anywhere. In San Mateo, however, many premises liability claims arise in familiar, high-traffic places where residents and visitors reasonably expect safe conditions.

Retail Stores and Shopping Centers

Retail stores and grocery markets along corridors such as El Camino Real and Hillsdale Boulevard, including areas near the Hillsdale Shopping Center, experience constant foot traffic. Wet floors near entrances, poorly marked spills, cluttered aisles, and uneven flooring can quickly lead to serious slip and fall injuries. Parking lots and crosswalks surrounding shopping centers also pose risks when lighting is inadequate or pavement is cracked.

Apartment Complexes and Residential Properties

Apartment complexes and condominiums in neighborhoods like Shoreview, Baywood, and North Central San Mateo are another common setting for premises liability accidents. Cracked staircases, loose handrails, uneven walkways, and poor lighting in shared areas can place residents and guests at risk, especially older adults and children.

Restaurants and Entertainment Areas

Restaurants, cafés, and bars in Downtown San Mateo and along corridors such as Third Avenue and B Street frequently present slip hazards due to spills, worn flooring, and crowded conditions. When these risks are not addressed promptly, customers can suffer significant injuries.

Outdoor and Public Areas

Outdoor spaces are also a frequent source of premises liability claims. Broken or lifted sidewalks near Central Park, Seal Point Park, and surrounding residential streets can cause serious falls. Poorly maintained parking lots, falling tree branches, and uneven pavement near public walkways or office buildings further increase the risk of injury.

Private Homes

Even private residences can become dangerous when hazards such as loose steps, unsafe decks, or poorly maintained walkways go unaddressed. Regardless of location, property owners in San Mateo have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to maintain safe conditions for those who enter their property.

Common Types of Premises Liability Hazards

Premises liability cases involve a wide range of dangerous conditions. Some hazards develop slowly over time, while others arise suddenly and remain unaddressed.

Common examples include:

• uneven staircases;
• loose or missing handrails;
• cracked or raised sidewalks;
• slippery floors;
• poor lighting;
• broken flooring; and 
• falling debris such as tree limbs. 

Dog bites may also fall under premises liability when they occur on private property and involve failure to control an animal. Premises liability claims may also arise from falling objects, inadequate security, or swimming pool accidents, particularly when property owners fail to implement reasonable safety measures in high-risk areas such as apartment complexes, grocery stores, or shared recreational spaces.

In many cases, these hazards could have been corrected with routine maintenance or simple warnings. When property owners fail to act, visitors pay the price.

Injuries Often Seen in Premises Liability Accidents

The injuries resulting from property-related accidents can range from minor to life-altering. Slip and fall accidents alone can cause serious harm, particularly to older adults.

Our slip and fall attorneys in San Mateo frequently see broken bones, including fractures to the wrists, ankles, hips, and arms. Head injuries and concussions are common when someone falls unexpectedly. Back and spinal injuries may cause chronic pain, limited mobility, or the need for ongoing treatment.

Cuts, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries can also occur, especially when falls involve sharp edges or broken surfaces. Some injuries may not fully reveal themselves until days or weeks later, making early medical evaluation imperative.

The Impact of Premises Injuries Beyond the Initial Accident

An injury on unsafe property can affect far more than physical health. Many people miss work, lose income, or struggle with daily tasks while recovering. Medical bills can accumulate quickly, even with insurance.

Chronic pain or limited mobility may interfere with long-term employment or personal independence. Emotional stress often follows, particularly when an injury disrupts family life or future plans. We look at the full picture, not just the immediate injury, when evaluating a premises liability claim.

Who May Be Responsible for Unsafe Property Conditions

Determining who had control over the property and who was responsible for maintenance is a key part of building a successful claim. However, responsibility for a premises liability injury does not always rest with a single individual. Property owners are often liable, but responsibility may also extend to property managers, landlords, tenants, or maintenance companies, depending on who controlled the area where the injury occurred.

In commercial settings, businesses that lease space may share responsibility with the property owner. In residential settings, landlords may be responsible for common areas, while tenants may be responsible for hazards inside their own units.

Identifying all responsible parties is essential to establishing liability and accessing available insurance coverage that may apply to the claim.

Proving a Premises Liability Claim

Premises liability cases rely on evidence. To succeed, it must be shown that a dangerous condition existed, that the property owner knew or should have known about it, and that the condition caused the injury.

Photographs of the hazard, surveillance footage, maintenance records, inspection logs, and witness statements can all be valuable pieces of evidence. Medical records are also essential to link the injury to the accident. Our San Mateo premises liability attorneys gather and organize this evidence to clearly establish responsibility.

How Insurance Companies Handle Premises Liability Claims

Property owners often rely on insurance to handle injury claims. Unfortunately, insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize or deny responsibility.

Adjusters may argue that the hazard was obvious, that the injured person was not paying attention, or that a preexisting condition caused the injury. Claims involving back pain, joint injuries, or soft tissue damage are especially likely to be challenged. Rest assured, we will always push back against these tactics and present evidence that connects the injury directly to the unsafe condition.

Comparative Fault in California Premises Liability Cases

California follows a comparative fault system. As such, an injured person may still recover compensation even if they are found partially responsible for the accident.

Insurance companies often attempt to exaggerate a person’s role in the incident to reduce what they pay. Our San Mateo premises liability lawyers work to keep the focus where it belongs, on the property owner’s failure to maintain safe conditions.

What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident

If you are injured on someone else’s property, what you do in the moments and days that follow can affect both your physical recovery and your ability to pursue a claim. Taking thoughtful steps early helps protect your health and preserves vital information related to the accident.

Seek Medical Care Promptly

Your health should be the first priority. Even if injuries appear minor, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, including head trauma, soft tissue damage, and back injuries, may not cause immediate symptoms but can worsen over time. Injury victims should seek medical attention immediately, as early treatment protects health and strengthens personal injury cases by connecting the injury to the accident.

Document the Hazard and Surrounding Area

If you are able, take photographs or videos of the dangerous condition that caused the injury and of the surrounding area. Capture details such as lighting, warning signs, weather conditions, and any obstructions. If the hazard changes quickly, such as when a spill is cleaned up or debris is removed, early documentation may be especially critical.

Report the Incident

Notify the property owner, manager, or business as soon as possible and ask that an incident report be completed. Request a copy or written confirmation that the report was made. Keep notes about who you spoke with and what was said. Reporting the incident creates a formal record that may become important later.

Preserve Evidence and Information

Save the shoes and clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident, as they may become relevant. Collect witness information and document conditions before they change. Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media, as statements or photos may be taken out of context.

Be Cautious With Insurance Companies

Insurance representatives may reach out quickly after an accident. While it is appropriate to provide basic contact information, avoid giving detailed statements or accepting responsibility before speaking with an attorney. Early legal guidance helps prevent missteps, ensures your rights are protected, and allows the claim to be handled properly from the start.

Why Choose Galine, Frye, Fitting, & Frangos for a Premises Liability Claim

Premises liability cases often come down to details that property owners and insurance companies hope will be overlooked. Hazard visibility, maintenance history, prior complaints, and property control all matter. We know how to identify these issues and build cases that clearly show where responsibility lies. We have over 75 years of combined experience in personal injury settlements and trials, and our approach is grounded in preparation, not assumptions. 

Experience Handling Serious Injury Claims in San Mateo

Our firm has decades of combined experience representing injured individuals and families throughout San Mateo, CA. We have handled claims involving falls, unsafe walkways, poor lighting, structural defects, and other hazardous conditions. That experience allows us to anticipate common defenses and address them before they gain traction.

A Direct and Personal Approach With Every Client

We do not treat clients like case numbers. From the first conversation, we take time to understand how the injury occurred and how it has affected daily life. Clients receive clear explanations, realistic expectations, and consistent communication throughout the process. When injuries make travel difficult, our San Mateo premises liability attorneys make arrangements to meet clients where it is most convenient for them.

Willingness to Push Back Against Insurance Tactics

Insurance companies often minimize the extent of premises liability injuries or shift blame to the injured person. We do not accept that approach. We prepare every case with the expectation that it may need to be fully proven, which strengthens our position in negotiations and discourages low offers made for convenience rather than fairness.

Commitment to Meaningful Results

Our goal is not simply to resolve a claim, but to pursue outcomes that reflect the true impact of an injury. Our premises liability lawyers in San Mateo account for medical care, lost income, and the disruption caused by unsafe property conditions. Through careful preparation and determined advocacy, we work to secure compensation that allows our clients to move forward with confidence.

San Mateo Premises Liability Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as a premises liability accident?

Any injury caused by an unsafe condition on property owned or controlled by someone else may qualify, depending on the circumstances.

Can I file a claim if I was injured at a business?

Yes. Businesses have a duty to maintain safe conditions for customers and visitors.

What if the property owner says they did not know about the hazard?

Owners may still be responsible if the hazard existed long enough that it should have been discovered through reasonable inspection.

What is the deadline for filing a premises liability lawsuit in California?

In most premises liability cases, California law sets a two-year deadline from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Certain situations can shorten or alter that timeframe, particularly if a government entity owns or controls the property. Speaking with an attorney early helps ensure the correct deadline is identified and preserved.

Our Premises Liability Lawyers in San Mateo Are Here For You

If you were injured because a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. At Galine, Frye, Fitting, & Frangos, we are committed to holding negligent property owners accountable and pursuing fair compensation for our clients.

If you were injured due to unsafe property conditions, our knowledgeable attorneys offer a free initial consultation to explain your legal options and pursue maximum compensation on a contingency fee basis. Contact our San Mateo premises liability attorneys today to discuss your case.