Orange County Premises Liability Lawyer

Premises Liability Attorney in Orange County, CA 

When you visit anyone else’s property legally in Orange County, there is a reasonable expectation for the property to be safe and free from potential hazards that could injure you while on the property. Unfortunately, not all property owners maintain safe premises. If you were hurt on someone else’s property due to their negligent care of the property, an Orange County premises liability lawyer can help determine your most viable options moving forward.

Many individuals have the erroneous belief that if you slip, trip, fall, or are otherwise injured on someone else’s property, they must pay for your damages. This is true only if you can also prove that the condition on the property that caused your injury was unreasonably serious and was either created by the property owner or has existed long enough that it should have been corrected or warned of.

The attorneys at Easton & Easton have years of professional experience handling all types of complex civil claims for damages in Orange County, including those that fall within the purview of premises liability law. We understand the hardships that high-earning professionals can face after a personal injury and can pursue a large settlement on your behalf while you recover.

To date, we have secured more than $2 billion in settlements and court verdicts. *

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case must be evaluated on its own merits.

Our Approach

If you need legal counsel you can trust to help build an effective case against a negligent property owner, we are confident in our ability to help prove fault for your damages and increase your compensation in an efficient manner.

Recovery from a slip and fall or other incident on another party’s property requires a keen understanding of the state’s premises liability laws as well as the evidence needed to substantiate your claim for damages. The average person may not realize they are entitled to much more compensation than they initially expected. The right attorney is the ideal asset for your case, so you receive fair compensation from a defendant.

Unreasonably Dangerous Condition

Liability may be difficult to prove because the unreasonably dangerous condition may be altered or repaired before it is photographed or viewed by others. Puddles of water, for example, get mopped up. Early involvement of the attorneys at Easton & Easton is helpful and often essential in preserving the evidence necessary to succeed in the case.

Some of the types of accidents that occur due to unreasonably dangerous conditions are slip and falls, trip and falls, animal bites, swimming pool accidents, construction accidents, fires, inadequate security or protection, explosions, falling tree limbs, collapsing chairs, landslides, and virtually any type of accident occurring on someone else’s property that causes a personal injury due to an unreasonably dangerous condition.

How We Can Help

At Easton & Easton, we have represented many clients in all types of premises liability actions arising out of unreasonably dangerous conditions, from slip and falls to trip and falls to construction accidents to falls into open grease pits at a restaurant to falls into an open sewer at an amusement park to being struck by a falling tree branch at a city park.

At Easton & Easton, our combined 70 years of experience allow us to seamlessly assess and coordinate medical care to make certain the full extent of our clients’ injuries is identified, treated, and provable.

Our personal injury attorneys in Orange County understand the tricks, stratagems, and defenses the insurance companies and their attorneys use to defeat or minimize a claim, and at Easton & Easton, we utilize our experience, skill, and dedication to make certain our clients do not fall victim to the insurance companies’ tricks and stratagems.

3 Things You Should Know After a Premises Accident in Orange County, CA

There are some important steps that accident victims should take.

1. Photograph the unreasonably dangerous condition that caused your injury.
2. Do not talk to the insurance company or give a written or recorded statement to the insurance company without talking to Easton & Easton.
3. Call Easton & Easton as soon as possible so we can advise you on what to do next.

If you plan to file any type of personal injury case, you have a limited time in which to do so. It’s vital to connect with a trustworthy Orange County premises liability lawyer as soon as you are able after your accident to make sure you meet the deadline for filing your case. Additionally, it will help you secure the vital evidence you may need to firmly establish liability.

A premises liability claim could be more complex than you initially realize, and the sooner you secure legal representation, the more time your Orange County premises liability lawyer will have to build a compelling case for you. Easton & Easton accepts every personal injury case with the goal of helping our clients secure as much compensation for their damages as state law allows.

Fall From Ladder Placed on Scaffolding by Our Client

Easton & Easton recently acquired $2,000,000 for a client who fell from a 2-story scaffolding while assisting the HOA President in trying to remove eaves on the second story of a townhome façade. The HOA President had negligently erected the scaffolding, but the Defendants contended that our client had negligently brought a ladder to the top of the scaffold and was working on the ladder when he fell.

The Defendants also argued that our client had actually climbed onto the roof of the building and become dizzy before he fell, such that they believed he was 100% liable for his own injuries, regardless of whether he fell from the roof or the ladder he had negligently brought on top of the scaffold.

During Litigation

In the litigation process, we discovered that the HOA had no workers’ compensation insurance and that the HOA President did not have a contractor’s license for this kind of work. Because work on a scaffold requires a contractor’s license, we used regulations under the Labor Code to show that our client was technically an “employee” of the HOA at the time of his injury, such that this was actually an employment-related injury.

However, because the HOA had no workers’ compensation insurance to pay for employee injuries, this employment-related injury was therefore presumed to result from employer negligence under the Labor Code.

Additionally, we showed that these laws prevented the employer from claiming any comparative negligence, assumption of the risk, or co-employee negligence defenses that they would have used to shift the blame to our client, thereby essentially making the HOA strictly liable for our client’s injuries, which included multiple skull fractures and a traumatic brain injury.

Final Result

Through this intricate strategy of legal reasoning, we convinced the HOA’s insurance carrier of their liability in this matter, even if our client had been on the roof or a ladder on the scaffolding when he fell, such that they paid their full $2,000,000 policy limits.

This is just one example of the success our firm has had in representing victims of property owner negligence in Orange County. If you are unsure whether you have grounds to file a premises liability claim, it is vital that you contact an Orange County premises liability lawyer as soon as possible after your accident so you have the greatest chance of success with the recovery efforts you attempt.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

Compensation in Premises Liability Claims in Orange County

A premises liability claim is a form of personal injury claim, and the ultimate objective of any personal injury claim is for the plaintiff to be made whole again after suffering harm from a defendant’s actions. Your Orange County premises liability lawyer can help you recover compensation for all the economic losses you incurred from the incident, as well as compensation for projected future losses and your pain and suffering.

Easton & Easton can work closely with you to help determine the full scope of damages that you could potentially include in your claim. We can help calculate projected future losses, like ongoing medical treatment costs for a severe injury and lost earning potential if you have been permanently disabled. We can also aim to increase the pain and suffering compensation you secure from the defendant.

Orange County Properties and Businesses That Can Have Falls and Negligent Security Incidents

Premises liability accidents can happen almost anywhere property owners invite guests, customers, tenants, or visitors. In Orange County, these incidents frequently occur at shopping centers, apartment complexes, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, parking garages, sports venues, and entertainment destinations. Areas that have heavy foot traffic in Orange County include:

• South Coast Plaza
• Irvine Spectrum Center
• Downtown Disney District
• Fashion Island
• The Outlets at Orange
• Anaheim GardenWalk
• OC Fair & Event Center

Area apartment complexes include:

• Park Viridian Apartments in Anaheim
• The George Apartment Homes in Anaheim
• Paloma in Santa Ana
• The Marke Apartment Homes in Santa Ana
• Broadstone Atlas in Santa Ana

Whether someone is hurt on apartment grounds or while shopping at a busy outlet, an unexpected fall can lead to significant financial hardships. By working with Easton & Easton, you can reclaim what you lost through medical bills, lost wages, and missed work-related opportunities. Our dedicated team of litigators understands the challenges high earners can face after a personal injury.

Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents in Orange County

Premises liability claims generally involve personal injuries that result from some form of property or business owner negligence. Those owners have a duty of care when it comes to addressing hazards and taking steps to prevent visitors, guests, and customers from becoming injured.

Falls are a common type of premises liability injury. In California, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among adults 65 and older. Nationally, the cost of treating these injuries for older adults is projected to increase to over $101 billion by 2030. Inadequate lighting, uneven floors, loose handrails, and other hazards can cause preventable injuries, such as broken bones and head trauma, in Orange County.

Negligent security is another type of premises liability claim. One example would be an individual who was assaulted at an apartment. If the property owner or management company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent that incident, such as by providing adequate lighting and employee background checks, they could be held liable for the attack. In a county with a violent crime rate of 4.799 per 1,000 residents per year, this is a serious concern and danger.

Other Types of Accidents

Swimming pools can become the scene of a personal injury or fatal drowning. In 2024, there were 89 drowning incidents in Orange County, and 36 involved children 0 to 4 years old. Most drownings occur in backyard pools, spas, or community pools. Depending on the facts of the case, the property owner or another group may be liable for a drowning. Toxic exposure, dog bites, and inadequate maintenance are other types of premises liability claims we handle.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Premises Liability Accident?

Because premises liability claims deal with injuries that occur on someone else’s property, the business or property owner is often liable for damages. Financial liability may not be limited to a single party.

Depending on the circumstances of the case, liability could extend to a commercial tenant, property management company, maintenance contractor, security company, homeowner’s association, event organizer, or even a government entity responsible for maintaining public property.

Determining fault often requires an examination of who should have known about the dangerous condition and fixed it. A grocery store could be liable for failing to clean and for spills, while an apartment complex could be responsible for broken stair railings. Establishing fault often requires a close examination of the evidence.

What Evidence Can Strengthen a Premises Liability Claim?

Injury claims require evidence to back up accusations. Without compelling documentation showing which party is liable and the extent of your injuries, your effort to secure fair compensation could lead to an unfavorable outcome. Photographs of the scene of the incident, surveillance footage, past incident reports, eyewitness statements, and your own account of events can establish fault.

It is equally important to document the harm you endured. Medical records, logs of your personal notes describing the recovery, pay stubs, and other evidence can link the personal injury to compensable damages. When an injury claim is well-documented, it can lead to considerable compensation that fully addresses the setbacks you suffered.

It is also important to preserve physical evidence whenever possible. Save the shoes and clothing you were wearing, keep damaged personal property, obtain copies of incident reports, and avoid repairing or discarding anything connected to the accident. An experienced premises liability attorney can also send preservation letters to prevent surveillance footage or other critical evidence from being lost or destroyed.

Common Injuries Sustained in Premises Liability Accidents

Suffering a personal injury on someone else’s property can lead to lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. The severity of an injury often depends on the nature of the accident, whether it involves a fall, dog attack, swimming pool incident, or negligent security-related assault. Common injuries can include:

• Broken bones
• Sprains
• Torn ligaments
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Lacerations
• Internal organ damage

Seniors are especially vulnerable to hip fractures and other serious injuries that can require orthopedic surgeries and lengthy recoveries. Beyond physical harm, individuals can suffer intangible losses from pain and suffering. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other forms of emotional harm can compound a physical injury, adding stress to an already difficult situation.

What to Do Immediately After a Premises Liability Accident

The aftermath of a fall, dog attack, or other type of personal injury can leave you in shock and uncertain about the full extent of your injuries. Your top priority should be to focus on your safety and health. Call 911 or have someone near you call the police so they can send an ambulance. A serious injury could lead to urgent treatment at UCI Medical Center, Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, or another local treatment facility.

If you are able, take photographs of the scene of the incident and note the possible cause of your injury. When police arrive, they may generate a report that can also help you determine who is liable for the harm you suffered. Follow your doctor’s recovery guidelines carefully and do not rush returning to work if you have not fully healed. You can further support your claim by taking daily notes about your recovery and the setbacks you suffered due to the injury.

How California’s Comparative Negligence Law Can Affect Your Recovery

California follows a pure comparative negligence framework when it comes to personal injury claims. While states bar claimants from pursuing compensation if they are partly at fault or more than 50% at fault for the accident, California takes a unique approach. An injured person may still recover damages even if they are primarily responsible for what happened. The amount of compensation they receive would be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.

For example, a shopper who was texting while walking and slips on a wet floor could be found to be partly at fault because they were not looking ahead at the time of the incident. If they are found to be 20% at fault while the store is 80% at fault, a $100,000 award would be reduced to $80,000. Insurance companies are aware of this rule and may try to shift the blame to the claimant to reduce their own financial liability.

An injury lawyer can play a crucial role in protecting your eligibility to pursue full and fair compensation by gathering evidence linking the property’s negligence to the harm you suffered.

Why You Should Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer

Without legal support, you could run into multiple challenges. For personal injury claims that do not involve a government entity, you generally have two years to file your claim in court. This is known as the statute of limitations, and missing this deadline could mean that your case is dismissed. You could also run into challenges gathering the right types of evidence to support your claim.

Whether you were injured in Coto de Caza, Shady Canyon, Newport Coast, or elsewhere in Orange County, your top priority should be to hire a premises liability lawyer who understands the steps that are needed to manage your premises liability case. Injury lawyers can begin by explaining the process and how premises liability laws could apply to your premises liability case.

They can then perform critical steps, like gathering evidence and documenting the full extent of the harm you endured. Once they have built a strong claim, they can pursue compensation through direct talks with an insurance company or by filing a civil court claim. If you are falsely blamed for contributing to your injury, your lawyer can take decisive steps to set the record straight by sticking to the facts and the evidence.

Past Reviews, Settlements, and Court Verdicts

Easton & Easton has earned a reputation for providing responsive communication and personalized representation throughout the claims process. Here are a few reviews from former clients. *

*Client testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee a similar outcome.

“The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital… Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back.” — Dan C.

“Retaining Easton & Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made… They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with.” — Jeffrey N.

“My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury… Brian Easton and his team worked on my case nonstop for three years and provided me the justice I deserved.” — Vamsi P.

Our law firm also brings a track record of success when pursuing significant settlements and verdicts. The following are representative case results achieved by Easton & Easton. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

• $22,250,000 – Full policy limits recovered after a defendant suffered a diabetic seizure, causing a vehicle-versus-bicycle collision.
• $3,060,000 – Recovery for a client injured in a lane-splitting motorcycle accident in a carpool lane.
• $1,000,000 – Settlement for injuries sustained when a rideshare driver was on the way to pick up a passenger.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Fault in a Premises Liability Case?

Success with your impending premises liability claim will require proving that the property owner failed to address a foreseeable safety issue that directly caused your injury. You must also prove that you were legally present on the property and that it was not an open and obvious hazard that caused your damages. If you are found partially liable for your accident, it will diminish the compensation you secure from the defendant.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability?

The statute of limitations is the time limit for filing a particular type of case. A premises liability claim is a type of personal injury claim, and California upholds a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This statute begins on the date your injury occurred, and if you do not file your claim within the statute of limitations, you will lose your chance to recover compensation for your damages from the defendant.

How Does Comparative Fault Work in Premises Liability Claims?

The state enforces the pure comparative fault statute, which means each party found liable for the damages cited in a claim will lose a percentage of the total compensation won from the at-fault driver. For example, 10% fault means losing 10% of the case award, 30% fault means losing 30%, and it’s possible for the plaintiff to be found more at fault than the defendant and still recover compensation.

Why Should I Hire an Orange County Premises Liability Lawyer?

An experienced attorney can make handling your claim much easier, and you will be more likely to increase your total compensation with their assistance. When you have Easton & Easton representing you, you will have a dedicated legal advocate ready to provide answers to your questions and updates on your case’s progress so you can rest and recover with peace of mind. You’re more likely to succeed in your case with their guidance and support.

What Are Attorney Fees for an Orange County Premises Liability Lawyer?

Easton & Easton uses a contingency fee policy to bill our clients, meaning you will not pay any upfront or ongoing attorney fees for our representation. Instead, we will take a percentage of your final case award as our fee, and only if and when we succeed in your case. There is no fee at all if we are unable to obtain compensation for your damages, so there is no economic risk in choosing our team to represent your case.

Contact Easton & Easton Today

You may have many more pressing legal questions in the aftermath of your premises liability accident in Orange County, and the sooner you connect to an attorney you can trust, the sooner you can get the answers you need in this difficult situation.

Our law firm works with high-earning professionals who have been injured. We understand the disruptions personal injuries can have on their financial stability and can take decisive steps to protect their interests when seeking a large settlement. Contact Easton & Easton today to schedule a consultation with an Orange County premises liability lawyer and learn more about the legal services we provide.