Commercial Premises Liability Claims - Orange County
At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we represent individuals injured due to unsafe conditions on commercial property throughout Orange County. We focus on holding business owners, landlords, and commercial property operators accountable when negligence leads to injury.
Commercial properties across Orange County are open to the public every day. Retail stores, shopping centers, office buildings, restaurants, hotels, and business parks invite customers, clients, and visitors onto their premises for commercial benefit. With that invitation comes a legal responsibility: commercial property owners and operators must take reasonable steps to keep their property safe.
When a business fails to maintain its premises and someone is injured as a result, California premises liability law may allow the injured person to pursue compensation. Claims against commercial property owners are often more complex than residential cases and are frequently contested by corporate insurers and risk management teams.
At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we represent individuals injured due to unsafe conditions on commercial property throughout Orange County. These cases require detailed investigation, early evidence preservation, and a clear understanding of how businesses attempt to avoid liability.
What Is Commercial Premises Liability?
Commercial premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of businesses and commercial property owners to maintain safe conditions for people lawfully on their property. This includes customers, clients, delivery personnel, vendors, and other invited guests.
Unlike private residential property, commercial properties are open to the public and typically experience higher foot traffic. As a result, owners and operators are expected to conduct regular inspections, promptly address hazards, and provide adequate warnings when dangerous conditions cannot be immediately repaired.
When a commercial property owner fails to meet these obligations and someone is injured, a premises liability claim may arise.
Types of Commercial Properties Covered
Premises liability claims against commercial property owners can arise in many different settings across Orange County.
Retail Stores and Shopping Centers
Grocery stores, department stores, malls, and strip centers frequently see slip and fall accidents due to spills, floor transitions, cluttered aisles, and poor maintenance.
Office Buildings and Business Parks
Office properties must maintain safe entryways, hallways, stairwells, elevators, and common areas. Neglected maintenance in these spaces can result in serious injuries.
Restaurants, Bars, and Hospitality Venues
Restaurants and bars present unique risks due to wet floors, crowded layouts, dim lighting, and frequent spills. Property owners and operators must actively monitor and address hazards.
Hotels and Motels
Hotels have a heightened duty to protect guests in lobbies, walkways, staircases, pools, parking areas, and guest-accessible spaces.
Warehouses and Industrial Properties
Commercial and industrial sites may expose visitors and workers to uneven flooring, loading dock hazards, poor lighting, and unsafe walking surfaces.
Commercial Parking Lots and Parking Structures
Parking areas associated with businesses must be properly maintained. Uneven pavement, poor lighting, and neglected repairs can lead to serious fall-related injuries.
Common Unsafe Conditions on Commercial Property
Commercial premises liability cases often involve hazards that developed over time or were ignored despite regular public use.
Wet Floors and Spills
Spills, leaks, freshly cleaned floors, and tracked-in moisture can create slippery conditions if not promptly addressed or clearly marked.
Uneven Flooring and Surface Transitions
Changes in floor height, damaged tiles, worn carpeting, and uneven surfaces are common causes of falls in commercial buildings.
Poor Lighting in Common Areas
Inadequate lighting can conceal hazards in hallways, stairwells, parking areas, and entrances, increasing the risk of injury.
Broken Stairs, Handrails, or Elevators
Defective stairs, loose handrails, malfunctioning elevators, or escalators can cause serious injuries and often point to neglected maintenance.
Neglected Maintenance and Repairs
Delayed repairs, ignored inspection reports, and poor upkeep frequently contribute to commercial premises liability claims.
Construction and Renovation Hazards
Temporary hazards created during construction or renovation must be properly marked and secured. Failure to do so can expose property owners to liability.
Legal Duties of Commercial Property Owners
Commercial property owners and operators have specific legal duties under California law.
These duties generally include:
- Regularly inspecting the property for hazards
- Promptly repairing dangerous conditions
- Providing clear warnings when hazards cannot be immediately fixed
- Maintaining safe walking surfaces in areas open to the public
- Addressing foreseeable risks created by normal business operations
The more people a business invites onto its property, the greater the expectation that safety issues will be identified and corrected.
How Premises Liability Claims Against Businesses Are Proven
To succeed in a premises liability claim against a commercial property owner, the injured person must establish that a dangerous condition existed and that the business failed to act reasonably under the circumstances.
Key issues often include:
- Whether the condition posed a substantial risk to visitors
- How long the hazard existed before the injury
- Whether the business had actual or constructive notice of the condition
- Whether reasonable inspections were conducted
- Whether the business failed to repair or warn within a reasonable time
Evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance logs, incident reports, employee testimony, and witness statements can be critical in commercial premises liability cases.
Common Injuries in Commercial Premises Liability Cases
Injuries suffered on commercial property can be severe and life-altering, particularly when falls occur on hard surfaces or in high-traffic areas.
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Back, neck, and spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries and ligament damage
- Knee and shoulder injuries requiring surgery
- Long-term mobility limitations or chronic pain
These injuries often lead to significant medical expenses, lost income, and long recovery periods.
Insurance Issues in Commercial Property Claims
Most commercial property owners carry liability insurance. Claims are typically handled by insurance adjusters and corporate risk management teams whose goal is to limit payouts.
Common defense strategies include:
- Arguing the hazard was open and obvious
- Claiming the business lacked notice of the condition
- Blaming the injured person for not paying attention
- Minimizing the severity of the injuries
Early legal involvement helps preserve evidence, counter these defenses, and prevent critical information from being lost.
Why Commercial Premises Liability Claims Are Often Contested
Claims against businesses are rarely straightforward. Commercial defendants often have established procedures designed to protect the company rather than the injured person.
Surveillance footage may be overwritten, incident reports may be incomplete, and employees may be instructed on how to describe accidents. Preparing a strong claim requires understanding these tactics and acting quickly.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi?
Commercial premises liability cases require careful preparation and a strategic approach. At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we focus on building claims that businesses and insurers must take seriously.
Experience With Commercial Defendants
We understand how commercial property owners and their insurers evaluate and defend claims.
Early Evidence Preservation
We act promptly to secure surveillance footage, maintenance records, and other critical evidence.
Understanding of Corporate Defense Strategies
We anticipate common arguments raised by businesses and prepare cases accordingly.
Prepared for Litigation When Necessary
Strong preparation improves outcomes whether a case resolves through settlement or proceeds further.
Serving Clients Throughout Orange County
The Law Offices of Faud Haghighi represents clients injured on commercial property throughout Orange County, including Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Tustin, Costa Mesa, and surrounding communities.
If you were injured due to unsafe conditions on commercial property, understanding your rights early can make a meaningful difference in protecting your claim and pursuing fair compensation.
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Frequently Asked Questions – Commercial Premises Liability Claims
A commercial premises liability claim arises when someone is injured on business property due to unsafe conditions such as spills, uneven flooring, poor lighting, or neglected maintenance.
Yes. Businesses have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. If a hazardous condition caused your injury and the business failed to address it, you may have a valid claim.
A warning sign does not automatically eliminate liability. In some cases, the hazard should have been repaired or blocked off rather than simply marked.
Commercial premises liability claims may involve retail stores, shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, medical offices, parking structures, and other business properties.
Most commercial premises liability claims in California must be filed within two years of the injury, though deadlines may vary depending on the circumstances.
These cases can be complex because businesses often dispute notice and responsibility. Evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements is often critical.
Many cases resolve through settlement, but they must be prepared as if litigation is possible to achieve fair compensation.
Speak With an Orange County Commercial Premises Liability Lawyer
If you were injured due to unsafe conditions on commercial property, time matters. Evidence can disappear, hazards may be repaired, and insurance companies often move quickly to protect the business—not you.
Contact the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi to discuss your injury, understand your legal options, and learn how we can help you pursue fair compensation from the responsible commercial property owner.