Premises Liability

Low, Ball & Lynch has a broad background in premises liability, having represented many owners of shopping centers, apartment complexes, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, clubs and other establishments. The firm has been privileged to represent companies such as CVS Pharmacy, Levy Restaurants, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (SFBART), The Hearst Corporation, Hearst Communications, Inc., The San Francisco Chronicle and various entities via insurance companies, as well as third-party administrators including Midlands, Gallagher Bassett, Arch Insurance, Berkeley Risk, Scottsdale, Nationwide, Cunningham Lindsey, London Market Carriers, NIAC, Travelers, York Risk Services, Chartis, Lexington, 99 Cents Only Stores  and Granite State.  We also represent many cities and other public entities in similar matters. 

We are familiar with the differing needs and goals of property owners and business operators. Low, Ball & Lynch has successfully resolved hundreds of such cases through mediation and settlement conferences and has enjoyed many successes at trial.

Low, Ball & Lynch is also well-versed in indemnity and additional insured issues and has successfully tendered many matters to other parties and insurers.

From a damages standpoint, Low, Ball & Lynch handles cases involving injuries ranging from simple soft-tissue complaints to those involving catastrophic injuries or death. Low, Ball & Lynch also has a wide range of experience using medical experts as well as experts in premises liability, safety, vocational rehabilitation and economics. Additionally, we are constantly attuned to the ever-changing Hanif/Howell issues as they apply to the damages aspect of every case involving personal injuries.

* Practice group co-chairs

Housing/Landlord Liability 

Low, Ball & Lynch’s Housing/Landlord Liability Practice Group represents both private and public clients in housing lawsuits.   The Housing/Landlord Liability practice group has represented and defended numerous private landlords and public housing agencies in lawsuits brought by tenants alleging an array of causes of action – from violations of local rent ordinances to claims of substandard housing.   The practice group regularly handles matters involving the San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley Rent Ordinances.  

Due to the firm's long history in defending public entities and handling construction and environmental litigation, we are able to use our experience to defend housing claims based on the breach of the implied warranty of habitability; claims based on the allegations that local, state or federal housing standards have not been complied with by the property owner; and claims for physical injury and damages related to allegations of mold, pests and asbestos.   The Premises and Housing/Landlord Liability group has defended and tried numerous cases in this area, from assertions of technical violations of eviction control ordinances to class actions based on allegations of long-term substandard conditions.    Low, Ball & Lynch also represents commercial landowners in contract disputes and tort litigation with commercial tenants.