Orange County Premises Liability Lawyer

When someone is injured on unsafe property, the impact can be immediate and overwhelming. Medical treatment begins quickly, work may be missed, and uncertainty sets in—especially when the property owner or insurance company refuses to take responsibility. In many cases, these injuries were preventable and occurred because a property was not properly maintained, inspected, or made safe.

At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we represent individuals throughout Orange County who were injured due to dangerous property conditions. As an experienced Orange County premises liability lawyer, Attorney Faud Haghighi focuses on identifying the cause of the hazard, determining who had control of the property, and building claims that insurance companies and defense attorneys must take seriously.

Premises liability cases are not about assumptions or quick answers. They are about facts, timing, and accountability. Early legal guidance can make a critical difference in how a claim is evaluated and resolved.

What Is Premises Liability Under California Law?

Premises liability is a legal principle that holds property owners and occupiers responsible when someone is injured due to unsafe or dangerous conditions on their property. Under California law, those who own, lease, manage, or control property generally have a duty to use reasonable care to keep the premises safe for visitors.

This duty typically includes:

• Inspecting the property on a regular basis
• Repairing hazardous conditions within a reasonable time
• Providing clear warnings when a hazard cannot be immediately corrected
• Maintaining walkways, stairs, lighting, parking areas, and common spaces

A premises liability claim often depends on whether the dangerous condition existed long enough that the owner or manager knew—or should have known—about it and failed to act appropriately.

Common Premises Liability Accidents in Orange County

Orange County includes busy retail corridors, large apartment communities, office parks, parking structures, and older public walkways. These environments create recurring risk patterns. Many injuries occur because hazards are ignored, poorly managed, or repeatedly left unaddressed.

Common premises liability accidents include:

• Slip and fall accidents caused by wet floors, spills, leaks, or slick surfaces
• Trip and fall accidents due to uneven pavement, cracked sidewalks, torn carpeting, or loose mats
• Falls on stairways with missing handrails, worn steps, or inadequate lighting
• Parking lot and parking structure injuries involving potholes, curbs, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces
• Retail and grocery store injuries caused by produce debris, liquid spills, or cluttered aisles
• Apartment and HOA common-area injuries involving walkways, entryways, and shared facilities
• Injuries related to inadequate lighting or negligent security in foreseeable-risk areas

Each of these scenarios requires careful analysis of property control, maintenance practices, and notice of the hazard.

Where Premises Liability Injuries Commonly Occur

Grocery Stores and Retail Businesses

Retail stores must actively monitor their premises for hazards. Many injuries occur when spills are not addressed promptly, refrigeration units leak, or aisles are not properly maintained. A key issue is whether the store had reasonable inspection procedures and whether those procedures were actually followed.

Shopping Centers, Retail Malls, and Plazas

Shopping centers often involve multiple responsible parties, including property owners, management companies, tenants, and maintenance vendors. Determining who controlled the area where the injury occurred is essential. Parking areas, sidewalks, and entrances are frequent problem areas due to long-standing maintenance issues.

Apartment and Multi-Family Complexes

Landlords and property managers have obligations to maintain common areas such as stairs, walkways, lighting, parking lots, and entry points. Many cases involve recurring hazards that residents have previously reported but were never repaired.

Commercial Buildings and Office Properties

Office buildings must maintain safe conditions for employees, visitors, and vendors. Hazards may arise from cleaning services, construction work, or neglected maintenance. These cases often involve reviewing maintenance logs and vendor contracts.

Parking Lots and Parking Structures

Poor lighting, uneven pavement, missing warnings, and deteriorated surfaces make parking areas a frequent source of serious injuries. Because these hazards often exist for extended periods, proving constructive notice is common.

Public Property and Government-Owned Locations

Sidewalks, parks, public buildings, and other government-controlled areas may give rise to premises liability claims. These cases involve different rules and strict deadlines, making early legal evaluation especially important.

How Premises Liability Is Proven

Insurance companies often dispute premises liability claims by arguing the hazard was temporary, obvious, or unavoidable. A strong case focuses on evidence and notice.

Key factors commonly include:

• Whether the owner had actual notice of the hazard
• Whether the hazard existed long enough to establish constructive notice
• Inspection and maintenance policies and records
• Surveillance footage and incident reports
• Photographs and measurements of the condition
• Witness statements and employee testimony

In many cases, dangerous conditions are repaired shortly after an injury. Preserving evidence early can significantly impact the outcome of a claim.

Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases

Falls and unsafe property conditions often cause injuries that worsen over time. Common injuries include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Head injuries and concussions
• Back, neck, and spinal injuries
• Soft tissue damage and ligament injuries
• Knee and shoulder injuries requiring rehabilitation or surgery
• Long-term mobility limitations and chronic pain

These injuries frequently result in ongoing medical treatment, lost income, and lasting effects on quality of life.

Who May Be Held Responsible?

Premises liability is based on control and responsibility, not just ownership. Potentially responsible parties may include:

• Property owners
• Property management companies
• Commercial tenants
• Maintenance and cleaning contractors
• Homeowners’ associations (HOAs)
• Government entities

Identifying the correct liable party is critical, particularly in complex commercial or multi-tenant properties.

Compensation Available in Premises Liability Claims

Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
• Future medical care
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term impairment or disability

Each claim is evaluated based on the severity of injuries and their impact on the injured person’s life.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi?

Premises liability cases are often defended aggressively. Property owners and insurers look for ways to shift blame or minimize the hazard. At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we approach these cases with preparation, precision, and accountability.

Focused Investigation From the Start

We prioritize early investigation, evidence preservation, and documentation before critical proof is lost or altered.

Understanding How Insurers Evaluate Claims

We build cases around notice, maintenance failures, and causation—key factors insurance carriers rely on when deciding whether to settle or litigate.

Clear Identification of Responsible Parties

We carefully analyze property control, management structures, and vendor responsibilities to ensure the correct parties are held accountable.

Prepared for Litigation, Not Just Settlement

Even when cases resolve without trial, insurers respond more seriously when they know a claim is prepared to move forward if necessary.

Serving Clients Throughout Orange County

The Law Offices of Faud Haghighi represents injured individuals throughout Orange County, including Santa Ana, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Tustin, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, and nearby communities.