Orange County Slip and Fall Lawyers

Orange County Slip and Fall Attorneys

The term “slip and fall” may seem like it would describe a minor accident, but the reality is that slip and fall accidents can be tremendously damaging and are a leading cause of serious personal injuries throughout California each year. Orange County slip and fall accident attorneys can help their clients recover compensation for damages caused by property owner negligence, and it’s vital to know the value of this legal counsel if you experience such an incident.

Orange County Slip-And-Fall Accident Lawyers

While slip/trip-and-fall injuries are one of the most common types of injuries (millions of Americans will be injured by slip-and-fall accidents this year and approximately 14,000 people will die as a result of their injuries), they can also be one of the most difficult for attorneys to win. They are often undervalued by defense counsel and insurance companies, and many plaintiffs’ attorneys don’t know how to properly establish these claims.

3 Things You Should Know After A Slip/Trip And Fall Has Occurred

Photograph and document the unreasonably dangerous condition that caused the fall as soon as possible.

Do not talk to the insurance company or give a written or recorded statement to the insurance company without talking to Easton & Easton, LLP.

Call the slip and fall accident attorneys at Easton & Easton, LLP as soon as possible so we can advise you what to do next.

slip and fall lawyer orange county

Experienced Orange County Slip And Fall Lawyers Offer Free Consultations For All Types Of Slip, Trip Or Fall Accidents

Slip/trip-and-fall accidents can occur in a variety of locations: supermarkets, restaurants, private residences, commercial buildings, parking structures, airports, bus terminals, train stations, public sidewalks and roadways, etc.

There is a reason for every fall, but these reasons may not always be obvious or clear. In order to be successful in a slip/trip-and-fall case, the plaintiff must establish that the reason for the fall was a dangerous condition or hazard that existed on the premises, which created an unreasonable risk of harm to the plaintiff. They must also prove that this unreasonably dangerous condition was either created by the defendant or had existed for sufficient time that the defendant should have become aware of the condition and rectified it.

But, very often in slip/trip-and-fall cases, the only witness to the incident is the victim. In such cases, proving that a dangerous condition caused the plaintiff’s fall will often depend on a few factors, including:

  • The effectiveness of the available evidence (such as pictures of the site)
  • Documenting the nature of the condition
  • Gathering useful discovery responses from the defendant regarding the premises and its upkeep
  • Employing skilled and experienced experts to prove that the condition was a dangerous slipping or tripping hazard.

The issue of foreseeability often arises in slip and fall injury cases in Orange County. A property owner is expected to maintain their property and address all foreseeable safety issues as soon as they become aware of them. A property owner must either fix such an issue immediately, post a clearly visible warning sign near the hazard, or provide lawful visitors with clear verbal warnings once they arrive on their property.

The distinction between a lawful visitor and an unlawful one is also important. A property owner owes no duty of care to trespassers or intruders on their property. If you illegally enter any property and suffer a slip and fall, you will not have grounds for a civil suit against the property owner because you did not have their permission to be there. Lawful visitors include those with the property owner’s express or implied permission to enter the property.

Commonly Cited Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Orange County

The following are a few examples of the conditions that often lead to slip and fall accident claims in Orange County. If you believe you may have grounds to pursue compensation, it is imperative that you reach out to an experienced team of Orange County slip and fall accident attorneys as soon as possible to discuss your recovery options.

Slippery Walkway Injuries

For example, where a fall occurs due to a slip on a surface that has been made wet by liquid (such as rain or water from sprinklers), the plaintiff will need to show that the surface created a dangerous condition when wet. This can best be done through the measurements of an experienced expert showing that the coefficient of friction on the surface was too low when wet, which created an unreasonable slipping hazard, taking into account other factors such as the presence of handrails, treads, risers, etc. as well.

Defective Public Sidewalk

Where a fall has occurred as a result of an elevated lip on a public sidewalk, the plaintiff must show that the defect in the sidewalk is not trivial, usually by showing that the increase in elevation of the lip was more than ¾ of an inch. The plaintiff’s expert may also consider other factors like the demographics of use, the reasonable expectations of a pedestrian in that area, and any features in the area likely to distract the pedestrian’s attention or disrupt the pedestrian’s line of sight.

Slip From Spilled Liquid In A Store

Where a fall has occurred in a store due to a slippery condition created by something that was spilled on the floor by some unknown person, the store may be held liable for the fall if the plaintiff can prove that the store had notice of the spill or should have had notice of the spill under the circumstances because of how long the spill had been present on the floor. Experienced attorneys and experts know how to prove this through eyewitness testimony, market sweeping logs and cleaning records, and other forms of evidence.

All of these types of cases require special elements of proof to establish that the condition causing the fall was an unreasonably dangerous hazard for which the defendant had notice and should be held liable.

Fall From Ladder Placed On Scaffolding By Our Client

Easton & Easton recently acquired $2,000,000 for a client who fell from a two 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 percent liable for his own injuries, regardless of whether he fell from the roof or the ladder he negligently brought on top of the scaffold.

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.

Through this intricate strategy of legal of 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.

Commonly Cited Damages in Slip and Fall Accident Cases

Slip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries and long-term damage:

  • When a person falls and hits the ground unexpectedly, they can easily suffer soft tissue injuries throughout the body. This could mean weeks or months of enduring damaged muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and some soft tissue injuries could require surgical treatment.
  • Falling can also easily cause a traumatic brain injury. If a person falls and hits their head, they could be left unresponsive. A family member may need to take legal action on their behalf.
  • Slip and fall accidents can also lead to dental and facial injuries, sometimes resulting in impaired or lost vision and expensive restorative dental procedures.
  • A severe slip and fall could leave the victim permanently disabled and unable to work, and the victim could claim their lost future earnings as damages in their civil case.

California civil law allows personal injury plaintiffs to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. If the court determines that a defendant’s negligence was particularly egregious or criminal, the defendant will likely face punitive damages as well as liability for the plaintiff’s economic and noneconomic damages. The amount the defendant will pay in punitive damages typically depends on the extent of the plaintiff’s other claimed damages and the severity of the long-term impact of their injury.

It is important to remember that the state’s personal injury laws allow a plaintiff to claim compensation not only for the immediate economic losses they suffered because of a defendant’s negligence or misconduct but also for the projected future economic losses the incident will cause. For example, you may not only require extensive immediate medical care for your injuries but also ongoing future treatment to help you rehabilitate as fully as possible.

slip and fall attorney orange county ca

Succeeding With Your Slip and Fall Claim

A slip and fall lawsuit is a premises liability claim, a type of personal injury claim pertaining to the responsibilities of property owners when it comes to ensuring the safety of their properties. Success with your slip and fall claim typically comes down to the amount of evidence available, the strength of that evidence, and the clearness of the property owner’s fault. If the property owner should have recognized the safety issue in question but did nothing to address it, the property owner is clearly liable for any resulting damages.

Your Orange County slip and fall accident attorney will help you gather the documentation necessary for establishing the full scope of your damages. This can include your immediate and anticipated future medical expenses resulting from the injury, lost income you incurred due to your recovery time, and pain and suffering. It is also possible for slip and fall injury victims to obtain compensation for lost future earnings in the event their injuries cause them to develop disabilities that prevent them from being able to work in the future.

Your premises liability attorney will also likely arrange expert witness testimony to support your case. For example, if you sustained any type of long-term damage from your slip and fall, a medical expert could help the court understand the wide range of medical issues you are likely to experience in the future as a result. This testimony can help the court understand the severity of your damages and increase the chances of succeeding with your claim. Take time to find an attorney with a solid record of successful slip and fall cases and the resources to guide you to a favorable result with your claim.

Benefits of Hiring Orange County Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys

While your case may seem straightforward enough that you think you could manage it alone, do not make the mistake of assuming you can reach the same level of result as an experienced attorney. Additionally, it would be very difficult for you to manage your medical needs while also addressing all the legal issues your case will entail, such as court filing deadlines and gathering supporting evidence to solidify your claim.

Even if you managed to succeed in proving liability for your accident, you would be unlikely to recover as much compensation as an attorney could secure for you. You could overlook valuable avenues of recovery and unintentionally settle for less than you deserve. You would also be unlikely to resolve your case as swiftly as an experienced attorney could, further exacerbating the difficulty of your recovery.

Easton & Easton provides client-focused and compassionate legal counsel for all the personal injury cases we represent in Orange County. Whether you are expected to make a full recovery in the short term or you have sustained a catastrophic injury with expansive ramifications, you can expect personalized legal counsel through all stages of your legal proceedings when you choose our team to represent you, and our goal will be to maximize your total compensation.

FAQs

Q: How Much Is a Slip and Fall Case Worth in Orange County?

A: If you can prove that a property owner is fully responsible for your slip and fall accident, you have the right to seek full repayment of all the economic damages you suffered from the incident. You can seek compensation not only for immediate financial losses but also for those you expect to face in the future, such as ongoing medical expenses and lost earning power. You may also claim compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced.

Q: How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated in a Personal Injury Case?

A: State law does not limit pain and suffering compensation in premises liability claims, nor is there a set formula you must use to calculate your non-economic damages. You have the right to claim whatever amount you believe is appropriate to reflect the severity of the harm you suffered. Your attorney may aim for an amount based on the overall severity of your injuries and/or your recovery time.

Q: Are There Punitive Damages in a Slip and Fall Case?

A: Punitive damages, as the name suggests, are intended to punish a defendant for wrongdoing rather than to compensate a victim for their loss. A plaintiff may not directly claim punitive damages, but a judge may award them at their discretion if they believe the defendant was egregiously negligent and/or broke the law in causing the victim’s damages. The amount paid generally depends on the overall financial status of the defendant.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Orange County?

A: There is a two-year statute of limitations for most of the personal injury cases filed in the state each year. This time limit starts on the date an injury occurs, or it may start on the date a victim discovered they were harmed by another party. Two years may seem like a generous window, but it is always advisable for a plaintiff to start the claim filing process as soon as possible to preserve the integrity of the evidence they will need to prove fault.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire Orange County Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys?

A: The attorneys at Easton & Easton accept personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so our client pays a percentage of their final case award as our fee only after we have won their case. There is no fee if we are unable to obtain compensation for them, and no risk of our client paying more for legal representation than they win in repayment of their damages. This policy ensures the legal counsel you need is there for you when you need it most.

We Can Help You With Your Orange County Slip and Fall Case

The Orange County premises liability attorneys at Easton & Easton, LLP have many years of experience in handling slip/trip-and-fall cases. We know how to use the tools of the law and reputable experts to our clients favor in proving that a slip/trip-and-fall accident was caused by a dangerous condition on the premises. Our years of experience also allow us to seamlessly assess and coordinate medical care to make certain the full extent of our clients’ injuries are identified, treated, and provable.

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

Please call our dedicated personal injury lawyers in Orange County at 800-461-8259 or contact us online for a free initial consultation. If we do not take your case, there is no charge.

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Firm Awards
Accredited Business Bbb Rating A+

The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Best Law Firms Orange County 2020

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.

Reader's Choice 2019 Best Law Firm

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.

Top 100 Trial Lawyers

Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.

The Best Lawyers in America

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California 2016

Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.

Super Lawyers

Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.

10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms in all of Southern California

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.

People Love Us On Yelp

Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.

Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for 2015

Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.

Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.

Top Rated Lawyers AV Preeminent

Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.

10 Best 2015 Client Satisfaction

Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.

American Board of Trial Advocate

Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.

The National Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40

Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.

Avvo Rating Top Attorney Personal Injury

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.

Nation's Top One Percent

Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.

Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer | Costa Mesa Auto Accident Attorney | Catastrophic Injuries

“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”

Partner W. Douglas Easton

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Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…

Sara McClelland
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
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Lisa Bluemel

The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…

Sofia Sanchez

I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! 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. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…

Dan Campbell

Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…

Kyle Keith

What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…

Logan Ross

I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!

-Allee

Ashlee A.

Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.

Jeffrey N.

I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!

Mark B.

They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.

Vamsi P.

Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.

They are the BEST!

Jennifer P.

I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.

Claudia C.

I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way

Linda M.

The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!

Ericka P.

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