PREMISES LIABILITY CASES
Premises Liability
Tom’s practice also includes premises liability. Under the law, property owners—including government entities, Cal-Trans, DWP and Southern California Edison along with cities and counties—are responsible for ensuring their premises are free of hazards. In private and public cases there are also contractors and paving companies that may be involved. There are special rules and timelines that apply to public entities that require immediate attention so statute of limitations are complied with.
Here, “premises” don’t just include buildings such as homes and businesses, but also walkways, sidewalks, roads, and the land itself. Unsafe conditions can exist when property owners are negligent in maintenance and repair, resulting in an injury. Common premises liability cases include but aren’t limited to unmaintained walkways, road defects, animal attacks, spills that aren’t cleaned up, and inadequate security measures.
Tom isn’t just experienced in premises liability cases for cyclists and others, he’s also unafraid to take on the most difficult cases, which often involve cities, counties, or other government entities.
WORKING WITH TOM
You can reach out anytime to schedule a free, confidential consultation with Tom. He’ll discuss your accident, bike laws, procedures, and your rights.
If you decide to retain his services, our office will begin handling all aspects of your case, including:
Investigating all details of your case
Hiring a private investigator, if needed
Negotiating directly with insurance companies
Interviewing potential witnesses and experts
Handling police and medical reports
Recommending a doctor, if needed
Ensuring you are justly compensated for not just personal injuries, but also any lost work or damaged property
Tom and his longtime paralegal, Isabel, will treat you with respect and dignity throughout the process. They are here to serve you and will honor your time and any other constraints as they work through your case. They answer all calls personally; if you do leave a message, you can generally expect a call back within 24 hours. In some cases, they will even travel to your home to meet if you’re not able to come into the office due to injuries or other factors.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Holding Property Owners Accountable for Unsafe Conditions
When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, serious injuries can occur. A skilled premises liability attorney understands how to investigate hazards such as broken sidewalks, poor lighting, wet floors, and structural defects that place visitors at risk. Whether the injury occurs at a business, apartment complex, or private residence, an experienced unsafe property injury lawyer works to establish negligence by showing the owner knew—or should have known—about the dangerous condition and failed to correct it.
These cases often involve both public and private properties, requiring specialized legal knowledge. As a trusted slip and fall premises liability lawyer, Tom Forsyth represents clients injured on commercial and residential premises alike. From acting as a commercial property liability lawyer Pasadena businesses may face claims against, to advocating as a residential premises liability attorney for those injured in private homes, Tom carefully evaluates liability, damages, and applicable timelines to ensure injured clients receive full and fair compensation.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’ve represented injured cyclists and pedestrians for years, and I understand how devastating these accidents can be. My firm combines in-depth legal experience with personal attention — ensuring your case gets the focus and dedication it deserves. You’ll always work directly with me, not a case manager or assistant.
We gather evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, witness statements, and expert reports to show the property owner knew — or should have known — about the dangerous condition but failed to fix it. Proving this negligence is key to winning your case.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury. I’ll evaluate your case thoroughly and fight to recover the maximum amount you deserve.
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, if the incident occurred on government property, you must file a notice of claim within six months. I can help ensure your case is filed correctly and on time.
First, seek medical attention for your injuries. Next, if possible, take photos of the hazardous condition, get contact information from any witnesses, and report the incident to the property owner or manager. Contact me as soon as possible — early legal action helps preserve critical evidence for your case.
Property owners, business operators, landlords, or even government entities can be held liable if their negligence caused your injury. Each case is different, but my goal is to identify every responsible party to ensure you receive full compensation.
A premises liability case arises when someone is injured due to unsafe or hazardous conditions on another person’s property. This includes incidents such as slips and falls, broken sidewalks, poor lighting, or unsafe public areas. As your attorney, I work to hold negligent property owners accountable for failing to maintain safe premises.