Bakersfield Premises Liability Lawyers
The slip and fall lawyers at Chain | Cohn | Clark in Bakersfield, Kern County are here to help if you were injured on someone else’s property due to their negligence. Call 661-616-9829 to find out how we can help.
The stories we hear are varied, but they have a common theme—no one expects to get injured in the midst of ordinary daily activities, such as:
- Shopping at the grocery store
- Leaving your apartment
- Walking the dog
- Going to a party
Property owners—whether the property is a business, a public place, or even a private home—have a responsibility to provide safe conditions or at least warn visitors about potential dangers.
The pothole near the store entrance—the one that’s been there for months—is a tripping hazard. The company knows about it, but they haven’t repaired it. You don’t see it because your toddler is fussing. The next thing you know, you’ve fallen and broken an arm. You’re missing work, and you have a pile of medical bills. But the store’s insurance company says it’s your fault—you were distracted when you should have been paying attention.
Chain | Cohn | Clark’s premises liability lawyers have helped many clients recover damages for injuries caused by unsafe property conditions. We can help you, too.
We know how to …
- Investigate an accident and gather evidence of who was at fault
- Retain experts to testify on your behalf
- Meet filing deadlines and handle the complicated paperwork involved in car accident claims
- Document your injuries—physical and emotional—in ways the insurance companies can’t refute
- Negotiate a fair settlement and, if necessary, argue your case in court
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Your injuries may have occurred at a public park, at a place of business, or in a neighbor’s yard. No matter the venue, it’s more common to hear the responsible party or their insurer say, “It’s your own fault” than it is for them to step up and do the right thing.
That leaves you facing injuries and expenses on your own. But there are a couple of important things you should know:
You can collect compensation for a premises liability case even if you’re partly to blame for the accident.
- California uses a legal principle called pure comparative fault in such cases. Your damages are reduced by the percentage of fault you bear in the accident. If you’re 10% at fault, you can still collect 90% of any compensation you’re awarded.
You can afford a premises liability attorney.
- At Chain | Cohn | Clark, we believe that justice should be available to all. Our personal injury lawyers work on contingency. That means that you don’t pay any fees while your case is in progress. Instead, your attorney is paid a predetermined percentage of the compensation you receive.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
Client Stories
When you call or walk through the doors of our downtown Bakersfield offices, we know you’re going through something.
Injuries, aches, or crippling pains. A sense of loss. Frustration and anxiety.
We’ll support you in any way we can. At your first meeting, you’ll meet the lawyer who’ll be handling your case. And you’ll be able to stay in touch with your lawyer throughout the process—by phone, text, email, or in-person appointments.
The best people to tell you about our Bakersfield property injury attorneys are our clients. Here are some of their stories:
Bryan went to a Fourth of July party—and the next thing he knew, his eardrums were blown out, and he had burns all over his body from an explosion caused by illegal fireworks. “I knew that I needed to get an attorney right away because of how severe the circumstances were. My daughter was three months old, and I didn’t have insurance,” he says. “Whatever I need, whatever my questions are, they were there to answer them,” Bryan says of Chain | Cohn | Clark. “I was able to pay my medical bills and put some money aside for my daughter.”
Kevin was already on crutches when he slipped on a wet floor and got hurt even worse. “I knew I needed a lawyer when the accident happened. My wife called, and Matt [Clark] came to see us in the hospital. I knew right then and there that he was going to be our lawyer,” Kevin relates. “Going through the case, Matt explained everything to me. He explained all options, and we understood it all. Even in personal struggles, Matt helped us get through some tough times. It’s a really good office with really good lawyers.”
Kimmy suffered severe back injuries when the poorly maintained stairs leading to her apartment collapsed beneath her. She turned to Chain | Cohn | Clark to pursue a premises liability claim. “From front to back, the staff is awesome. And that was from the very first meeting with the investigator, to all the girls I had phone calls with throughout the case. It didn’t matter if I came in ranting for five minutes or two hours—and I have—but they never once lost composure, and never once gave me a bad attitude” she says. “They were always very supportive, very friendly, very understanding.”
Case Results
Not every case is a high-dollar affair—and that’s okay. But we’re proud of the fact that our law firm has achieved more million-dollar case outcomes for our clients than any other firm in Kern County. Here are a few examples of our case results:
$2.3
million
Premises liability: In a case that was covered extensively in local media, the two plaintiffs were severely injured in a blast at a Fourth of July party.
$1
million
Dog attack: Our client was out for a horseback ride when she was attacked by the defendant’s dogs. She was injured when she fell off her horse.
$1
million
Burn injury: The plaintiff suffered extensive burns in an accident at a residential care facility.
$1.1
million
Workers Comp: The plaintiff was working as a refrigeration technician when he was sprayed in the face with ammonia.
Local Premises Liability Attorneys
A law firm isn’t local just because it has a web page with “Bakersfield” or “serving Bakersfield” on it. Many national or big-city firms looking for more business advertise in Bakersfield and Kern County.
Many people think a high-powered, big-city firm will help their case, but they may never meet their lawyer and may be subtly pressured to accept a quick settlement.
Chain | Cohn | Clark is a truly local law firm. We’re a Kern County institution, with a 90-year history in Bakersfield and offices downtown at 1731 Chester Avenue. Seven of our nine attorneys grew up right here in Kern County.
Local judges, lawyers, and insurance companies know who we are—and respect our work.
When you choose Chain | Cohn | Clark, you’ll meet your lawyer on day one. We’ll outline the steps you need to take and give you the information you need to make the right decisions for you and your family.
With our firm, you’re a neighbor—not just another case.
$22.1
million
Pedestrian Accident
$11
million
Auto Accident
$10
million
Oilfield Accident
$10
million
Motorcycle Accident
$9
million
Industrial Accident
$8.8
million
Police Misconduct
$8
million
Pedestrian Accident
$7.5
million
Pedestrian Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
People often refer to premises liability claims as slip and fall cases, because falls are very common in unsafe property law.
But many other scenarios fall under premises liability, including:
- A lack of reasonable maintenance
- Swimming pool accidents
- Dangerous playground equipment
- Inadequate nighttime lighting
- Handrails missing from staircases
- Poor security leading to crime on premises
- Cuts from broken glass
If you’re not sure whether your injuries qualify for a premises liability claim, contact us for a free consultation.
In California, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a premises liability claim. However, if your injury was on government (public) property, you need to file within six months. It’s a good idea to contact a premises liability attorney as soon as possible.
The two main categories of compensation in premises liability claims are as follows:
- Economic damages cover documented expenses like ambulance rides, medical bills, and rehab. This category also includes lost wages (if you miss time from work due to your injuries) or loss of future wages (if you’re unable to return to work).
- Noneconomic damages cover more intangible things—the pain and suffering you experience due to your injuries or compensation for loss of a limb or disfigurement.
A jury may award punitive damages in rare cases to penalize a defendant for extreme negligence.
Why Hire Chain | Cohn | Clark?
We’re honored to have been voted “Best Personal Injury Lawyer” in the 2023 Best of Kern County Readers’ Choice Poll conducted by The Bakersfield Californian.
But you’re probably looking for a lawyer for more personal reasons. Here’s what you can expect from our premises liability attorneys:
Personal Attention
You’ll meet with your lawyer in person at your first appointment. There may be other staff in the meeting to help with your case, but you’ll know and have access to your attorney.
Communication
We’ll keep you up to date on your case as it progresses. We’ll handle the paperwork and negotiations, but it’s still your case. We want you in the driver’s seat, moving toward an optimal outcome for you.
Support
We can’t rewind the accident that caused your injuries or take away your pain. But we’ll do whatever we can to help you put your life back together. We’ll play hardball in settlement negotiations, and we are prepared to argue your case in court if that’s what we have to do to get you fair compensation.
Don’t try to take on the insurance company on your own. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
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