In California, civil and criminal liability laws stipulate that individuals are expected to behave in ways which don’t jeopardize the safety of others or endangers them in any way. This expected reasonable duty of care stretches across nearly all situations and contexts: drivers must be careful and attentive when operating a vehicle, business owners must take precautions to ensure the safety of their employees and customers, and homeowners must do their due diligence in ensuring that their premises are safe and free of hazards.

In the case of homeowners and other real estate owners, this means that you are expected to be in compliance with all relevant building codes and regulations. For this post, we want to talk about how building code violations expose you to liability in CA. As we will illustrate, a property owner has much to lose if his/her negligence leads to damages or losses, making it imperative that you stay on top of all building code requirements at all time.

Homeowner Liability is Defined by Negligence in CA

It’s important for homeowners and property owners to understand that violating a safety law always constitutes negligence in CA if it leads to the injury or death of another party. In other words, there’s no need for proof of negligence in these cases; failure to adhere to building codes is negligence in and of itself.

Furthermore, you could also be found liable under California’s premises liability laws, which dictate that you must always keep your premises reasonably safe. Note that liability involving building code violations extend past just the owner; contractors, architects, and other related parties who violate building codes or other safety laws can also face civil and criminal penalties if their negligence causes harm to another person.

Talk to a Knowledgeable Real Estate Attorney in California Today

We hope this post helped illuminate just how building code violations can lead to liability if someone is injured or harmed while on your property. If you want to learn more, and to continue this discussion with a qualified real estate attorney in CA, know that we at DiJulio Law Group are here to help. Schedule a free initial consultation today by calling our office at (818) 502-1700, where you can discuss your legal needs with one of our seasoned legal experts.