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Torts/Personal Injury,
Government

Jul. 10, 2025

Is that homeless encampment a dangerous condition?

An unpublished appeals court ruling in a machete attack case clarifies the steep hurdles plaintiffs face when suing public entities over dangerous conditions involving third-party conduct.

Michael E. Rubinstein

Law Office of Michael E. Rubinstein

433 N Camden Drive Suite 600
Beverly Hills , CA 90210

Phone: (213) 293-6075

Fax: (323) 400-4585

Email: Michael@rabbilawyer.com

Loyola Law School; Los Angeles CA

Michael is a Los Angeles-based personal injury and accident attorney.

See more...

Is that homeless encampment a dangerous condition?
Shutterstock

Picture this scenario: It's broad daylight, and you're walking with your children on the path towards the beach. The path winds by a homeless encampment that officials know about but haven't removed. A homeless individual then jumps out from the encampment and attacks you with a machete.

Is the homeless encampment a dangerous condition of public property? Not in the above-described scenario, as the 2nd District Court of Appeal explained in th...

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