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Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC premises liability lawyers brings nearly 200 years of combined experience to premises liability claims. Proving negligence in a DC premises liability is based upon factors like your right to be on the property, the knowledge of potential harm by the property owner, and the amount of time that has elapsed since the injury occurred. These cases rely on careful analysis and detailed evidence, which is why experience and preparation matter.
Recognized as one of America’s Best Law Firms, our board-certified partners are named among the nation’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers. Our award-winning premises liability attorneys have secured dozens of multimillion-dollar recoveries in premises liability cases, including outcomes of $77 million, $16 million, $15.2 million, and $10 million. We advance all case costs, work with leading experts, and prepare every case with the expectation it may proceed to trial. Over 100 5 star Google reviews reflect the trust clients place in us.
Have you been injured on someone else’s property in Washington, DC? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will reach out personally. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you won’t pay unless we win your case.
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Negligence, in the context of premises liability, refers to the failure of the property owner or manager to maintain a safe environment for visitors.
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In the District of Columbia, for a premises liability claim to be successful, the plaintiff must prove:
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To prove that the property owner or occupier was negligent in the maintenance of the property, you must show that the owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to correct it. Or, in some cases, simply provide a warning of the potential harm.
Washington, DC, operates under the contributory negligence rule, which means if the plaintiff is found even minimally responsible for their injury, they may be barred from recovering any damages.
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For example, if you clearly saw a puddle in a grocery store from a spill and walked through it anyway, you could be deemed partially responsible for the injuries you sustained.
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However, contributory negligence should not keep you from seeking legal recourse. An experienced premises liability lawyer from Regan Zambri Long will help you bring a suit against the negligent property owner so you get the compensation you need to move past this event.
Premises liability cases include a variety of scenarios where an individual becomes injured on someone else’s property due to the property owner’s negligence. In all instances, it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain a safe environment for visitors, customers, and even trespassers in some instances.
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Some of the most common examples of DC premises liability cases include:
One of the most common types of premises liability cases, slip and fall incidents occur when a person is injured due to a slip, trip, or fall resulting from unsafe conditions on a property. Over 8.8 million people were estimated to be treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries in 2023 alone.
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Common causes of slip and falls include wet floors without warning signs, uneven flooring, or poorly maintained staircases.
Under premises liability law, property owners must maintain their properties to ensure safety. This includes fixing broken handrails or faulty elevators, repairing crumbling steps, etc.
In some cases, the property may be defective, including poor construction, faulty building materials, or structural failure. In these cases, the construction firm may be liable for the accident if the statute of repose has not passed.
Premises liability is not just about structural integrity but also security features. A property owner must maintain a safe and secure environment to protect visitors, tenants, etc. This can include property lighting, locks, and security measures.
Suppose a property owner is made aware that a residential building, commercial property or hotel is not secure and assaults or robberies occur. In that case, they can be liable for the victim’s losses and injuries.
Swimming pools may be fun in the summertime. Still, those with pools on their property are legally required to adhere to their area’s safety regulations to prevent accidents. Most commonly, these regulations involve proper fencing. Failure to provide adequate security around their property can result in a swimming pool accident.
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2025 data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission illustrates why these safeguards are required. Between 2020 and 2022, an average of 357 children under the age of 15 died each year in pool- or spa-related drowning incidents, with children between the ages of 1 and 3 accounting for 68% of those fatalities. In cases where the location was identified, 85% of the incidents occurred at residential properties, such as private backyard pools, rather than public facilities. This highlights the heightened responsibility placed on homeowners and property owners to comply with fencing and access control requirements designed to reduce foreseeable risks.
Animal attacks, specifically dog bites, also fall under premises liability. If it is known that a pet is dangerous and is not adequately restrained and an accident occurs, the owner can be held responsible.
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National data shows how frequently these incidents occur and why property owners have a duty to act when a known risk exists. Each year, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million Americans. Of those, an estimated 855,000 individuals seek medical treatment for their injuries, and roughly 370,000 require care in an emergency department.
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Fatal attacks, while less common, still occur. In 2024, federal health records documented 127 deaths linked to dog attacks, marking the highest number reported in a single year. These figures highlight the importance of proper restraint, warnings, and control measures when animals are kept on private property.
If you are on someone else’s property and become injured because the property was improperly maintained, had negligent security, etc., you likely have a right to a personal injury claim as the duty of care was breached. However, certain statuses a person may hold impact their ability to collect financial compensation for injuries.
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If a property owner fails to maintain a property and an accident happens, a personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation. Compensation available in premises liability cases includes:
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However, it is best to work with a premises liability attorney to recover compensation.
A premises liability case is strongest when there is no doubt the property owner breached their duty of care owed to visitors. Unfortunately, those cases are often far and few between as defendants will do everything they can to show they owe nothing to the injury victim and there was no breach.
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Because of this, you need an experienced DC liability lawyer who understands premises liability laws and can take on negligent property owners.
If you or a loved one suffered a premises liability injury and are seeking compensation for a slip and fall, an injury on government property, or a business owner’s negligence, we can help.
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In Washington, DC, premises liability claims are built on negligence principles, which means success depends on proving that a property owner failed to meet their duty of care and that this failure caused real harm. Regan Zambri Long approaches these cases by showing how unsafe conditions, ignored warnings, or ongoing maintenance failures translate into legal responsibility under DC law.
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Our attorneys focus on establishing notice, foreseeability, and causation, which are the core elements that connect premises liability to negligence and allow injured individuals to pursue meaningful compensation.
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We have recovered more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims, including substantial outcomes in premises liability cases involving unsafe properties, code violations, and preventable hazards, such as:
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This results-driven approach is supported by consistent peer recognition. Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers rank all our attorneys among the leading lawyers in the District, with several named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers list and honored as Lawyer of the Year. Our three founding partners are also board certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and are all AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest standards of legal ability and ethics.
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Combined, these results and recognitions reflect how we combine courtroom strength with deep familiarity of how premises liability claims are evaluated and proven in Washington, DC. Clients benefit from attorneys who have handled high-stakes property injury cases across a wide range of factual scenarios and who are consistently trusted by peers for their skill, judgment, and professionalism.
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For a no-obligation, free initial consultation, contact the Washington, DC premises liability attorneys of Regan Zambri Long.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.