Manning Kass Team Victorious in Recent Premises Liability Case

Orange County Co-Managing Partner Karen Liao and Los Angeles Associates Lina Hung and Niko Zhou secured a complete dismissal with prejudice for their retail client, defeating claims of negligence and premises liability.

The lawsuit stemmed from a July 2023 incident where the Plaintiff climbed the fence surrounding our client’s warehouse and was injured by the spikes at the top. In June 2025, the plaintiff brought an action against our client, alleging that a lack of lighting and warning signs about the spikes created an unreasonably dangerous condition, and that the defendant knew or should have known of the potential harm it could cause. Plaintiff's complaint alleged grave injuries, incurred past and future medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering damages.

Lina Hung prepared a motion for summary judgment for our client based on lack of duty, lack of a dangerous condition, and lack of breach, as well as a motion for sanctions against Plaintiff for filing a meritless lawsuit. Niko Zhou then successfully persuaded the Plaintiff and their attorney to voluntarily withdraw the complaint against our client on all actions with prejudice. The Manning Kass team worked tirelessly to get the claims dismissed, granting a swift victory for our client.

About Our Team

Karen Liao is the Co-Managing Partner of the Orange County office, and a member of our Business Litigation, Restaurant, Retail, and Hospitality, and Sports, Recreation, and Attractions Law teams. She focuses her practice on the defense of retailers, health clubs, sports clubs, attractions, theaters, and other businesses in matters involving general liability, premises liability, and business litigation. With experience on both sides of litigation practice, Ms. Liao draws upon her diverse legal background to imbue her practice with a unique approach to effective client representation.

Lina Hung is an Associate in the Los Angeles office and is a member of the Appellate Law (Strategy, Writs, & Appeals) team. Ms. Hung received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis. Before joining the firm, Ms. Hung worked as a mediation specialist and litigation associate at firms in Los Angeles County, where she gained experience in areas such as business litigation, insurance defense, personal injury, and employment law.

Niko Zhou is an Associate in the Los Angeles office and is a member of the Premises Liability Team. He earned his Bachelor of Arts with Departmental Honors in Politics & International Affairs and a minor in Psychology from Wake Forest University. Mr. Zhou then received his Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where he also earned a Technology and Entrepreneurship Law Certificate. At USC, he was a Saks Institute Research Funding recipient, focusing on mental health and healthcare law research, served as Co-President of the USC Chinese Law Association, and sat on the Student Support Office Leadership Council. Mr. Zhou is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and is admitted to the California State Bar.