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You expect it to be reasonably safe when you step onto someone else's property, a local restaurant on Firestone Boulevard, a store at Stonewood Center, or even a friend’s home near Old River School Road. But in Downey, injuries caused by unsafe property conditions happen more often than you think. Maybe it’s a broken stairwell at an apartment complex. A slippery spill in a supermarket aisle. Or a parking lot that’s poorly lit at night. One overlooked hazard can lead to serious, lasting harm.
Premises liability is the legal term for injuries that happen because a property owner didn’t fix or warn about something dangerous. These are often preventable situations: a loose tile that should have been replaced, a stair rail that wasn’t secure, or a spill that went unmopped for too long. The results? Broken bones, back injuries, concussions, and a mountain of medical bills.
Downey is a mix of bustling shopping centers, busy apartment complexes, medical buildings, and public parks. With so many different types of properties, there are plenty of places where unsafe conditions can lead to injury. Most of these accidents stem from negligence, when property owners fail to take care of hazards they know (or should know) exist.
Here are some of the most common causes of premises-related injuries in Downey:
Slip and Fall Accidents
These happen all over, at places like grocery stores on Firestone Blvd, restaurants near Paramount Blvd, and the Stonewood Center mall. The most common causes include:
Poor Lighting: Dark walkways, stairwells, or parking lots, especially behind businesses or around apartment buildings near Stewart and Gray Road, can lead to falls or even criminal activity.
Broken or Missing Handrails: Stairs without a secure railing can cause dangerous falls. This is especially problematic in older apartment complexes or office buildings near Imperial Highway.
Inadequate Security: If an area is known for theft or assaults (like some parking structures or alleyways), property owners may be liable if they didn’t provide locks, lights, or guards to reduce the risk.
Falling Objects: Big-box stores or warehouses near Lakewood Blvd may stack items on tall shelves. Injuries happen when things fall, such as tools, boxes, or store displays.
Dog Bites: If a property owner fails to control their pet and it bites someone, even in a common area of an apartment complex, they could be held liable.
Swimming Pool Hazards: Pools must be secured and supervised, especially in multi-unit housing around Brookshire Ave or Florence Ave. Missing gates, broken decks, or slippery tiles can result in injuries or drownings.
Elevator or Escalator Malfunctions: Commercial buildings, including those near Rancho Los Amigos, may have outdated or poorly maintained elevators. If someone gets stuck, falls, or is hurt by a sudden stop, the property owner may be at fault.
All of these accidents reflect one thing: a failure to keep property reasonably safe. If the owner knew, or should have known, about the danger and didn’t fix it or warn you, they may be responsible for what happened.
Injuries from unsafe property conditions in Downey can range from minor to severe. Some may heal in a few weeks, while others can affect you for years. The physical and financial toll can be overwhelming, whether it happened in a stairwell near the Stonewood Center, a grocery store on Firestone Boulevard, or at an apartment near Old River School Road.
Here are some of the most common injuries seen in Downey premises liability cases, and what you may be able to recover in damages:
Slips, trips, and falls often lead to broken wrists, ankles, hips, or arms. These injuries may require surgery, casting, and months of physical therapy. Hip fractures, in particular, can have serious long-term effects for older adults, impacting their ability to walk or live independently.
A fall onto a hard floor at a shopping center or onto a stairwell landing can cause a concussion, or worse. TBIs may not show up right away but can lead to memory issues, confusion, chronic headaches, or even long-term disability.
Falling from faulty stairs or slipping on a wet surface may cause herniated discs or spinal cord trauma. Back injuries are often long-lasting, affecting mobility, comfort, and the ability to work. Severe cases may lead to partial paralysis.
Broken glass, exposed nails, or jagged metal surfaces can lead to deep cuts. Some require stitches or surgery and may result in permanent scars. These injuries may seem minor at first, but they can leave lasting physical and emotional marks.
Faulty wiring, broken appliances, or dangerous conditions near water heaters or grills can lead to burns. Downey homes and buildings, especially older ones, are sometimes not up to code, putting residents at risk. Burns often require skin grafts and leave permanent damage.
If a backyard pool or apartment complex pool isn’t properly fenced or lacks supervision, the result can be tragic. These injuries, especially in children, often lead to brain damage or death. Lack of safety features or locked gates is a serious violation.
A bite at someone’s home or in a common area of a rental property can cause torn muscles, infections, and scars. Victims, especially children, may also experience long-term fear or trauma, including PTSD.
Crimes that happen in poorly lit or unsecured areas, like underground garages or alleyways, can cause both physical and emotional trauma. Assaults may result in facial injuries, broken bones, or lasting anxiety.
If you were injured on someone else's property in Downey, you may be able to seek compensation for:
Each premises liability case is unique. That’s why Countrywide Trial Lawyers takes the time to evaluate every detail of your injury, how it’s impacted your life, and what your full compensation should look like, not just a quick settlement.
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property in Downey, you may be wondering what happens next. Filing a premises liability claim doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process. But with the right legal team, it becomes a lot more manageable.
Here’s a step-by-step look at what to expect in Downey:
Step 1: Get Medical Help and Report the Incident. Your health comes first. Go to a nearby medical center like Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center or PIH Health Downey Hospital immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Some symptoms (like concussions or internal injuries) show up later.
Step 2: Consult a Premises Liability Attorney: Premises liability law can be complex, and property owners often deny wrongdoing. An experienced attorney will help determine whether you have a case, who may be liable, and what damages you can pursue. At Countrywide Trial Lawyers, consultations are free, and there’s no fee unless we win.
Step 3: Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Your attorney will collect critical evidence, such as:
We also often retrieve records from city departments that oversee housing, sanitation, or commercial inspections.
Step 4: Filing a Claim: Once the evidence is gathered, your lawyer will file a claim with the property owner’s insurance company or a formal lawsuit. The legal filing outlines what happened, who’s responsible, and what compensation is being sought.
Step 5: Negotiation or Mediation: In many cases, attorneys can negotiate a fair settlement without going to court. Mediation may also be used, where a neutral third party helps resolve. Most cases resolve at this stage, particularly if the evidence strongly supports your claim.
Step 6: Litigation and Trial (if necessary): If the other side refuses to accept responsibility or make a fair offer, your case may go to trial. In court, your attorney presents your case to a judge or jury. Countrywide Trial Lawyers is always trial-ready, and insurance companies know we’re willing to fight for what our clients deserve.
In California, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the case involves a government entity (like a city park or sidewalk), you must file an administrative claim within six months. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of protecting your rights.
The process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it alone. With an experienced premises liability lawyer, you’ll have the guidance and advocacy needed to move forward confidently.
What is considered a premises liability case in Downey?
A premises liability case happens when you’re injured on someone else’s property because of unsafe conditions. This could be:
Who can I sue after a premises injury?
It depends on where the injury occurred. You may be able to file a claim against:
What if I were partly at fault for the accident?
You can still recover damages, even if you were partially responsible. California follows a rule called comparative negligence. If you were, say, 20% at fault, you may still recover 80% of the compensation.
For example, if a jury awards $100,000 and says you were 10% responsible, you’d still receive $90,000.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of injury. But if the property is owned by a government entity (like a city sidewalk or park), you may only have six months to file an administrative claim. That’s why it’s so important to talk to a lawyer early.
What compensation can I recover?
You may be able to receive damages for:
How do I prove the property owner was negligent?
Your legal team will help collect and present evidence such as:
The goal is to show that the hazard was known, or should have been known, and that the property owner failed to take action.
Can I sue my landlord if I was injured at my apartment?
Yes. Landlords are legally required to keep common areas, like stairwells, hallways, entryways, and lighting, safe for tenants and visitors. If you were injured because of poor maintenance or ignored complaints, you may be able to hold your landlord or their management company responsible.
Documenting everything right away helps build a stronger case.
One unsafe step can change everything. Let us help you move forward with the next one.
An unexpected injury can flip your life upside down. One moment you're walking through a store, apartment hallway, or local business, then suddenly you’re on the ground, in pain, facing a long recovery. You’re missing work. Bills are piling up. And worst of all, the people who should take responsibility deny fault.
Property owners in Downey have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. They can be held accountable when they cut corners, ignore hazards, or put people at risk, and someone gets hurt. That’s where we come in.
Our team brings trial-ready strategy, aggressive negotiation, and personal attention to every case. We’ve helped clients recover damages for hospital stays, lost wages, pain, trauma, and more. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win.
Don't wait. Contact Countrywide Trial Lawyers or call us today at 844-844-9119. Time limits can run out, evidence can disappear, and insurance companies may pressure you into quick, unfair settlements.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
