Uneven surfaces are one of the most common—and most preventable—causes of trip and fall injuries in Orange County. Cracked sidewalks, raised pavement, uneven flooring, deteriorated walkways, and poorly maintained transitions between surfaces can all create unexpected tripping hazards. When a property owner fails to inspect, maintain, or repair these conditions, serious injuries can result.

Trip and fall accidents are often misunderstood or minimized, yet they frequently cause fractures, head injuries, and long-term mobility issues. These incidents typically occur because a surface defect existed long enough that it should have been discovered and corrected. When that does not happen, California premises liability law may allow an injured person to pursue compensation.

At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we represent individuals injured in trip and fall accidents caused by uneven surfaces throughout Orange County. Our approach focuses on identifying the unsafe condition, determining how long it existed, and establishing responsibility when neglected maintenance leads to harm.

Why Uneven Surfaces Create Serious Trip and Fall Hazards

Walking surfaces are expected to be level, stable, and reasonably safe. Even small height differences or surface irregularities can catch a person’s foot and cause a sudden fall. These hazards are particularly dangerous in high-traffic areas, low-light conditions, or locations where pedestrians are not expecting a defect.

Uneven surfaces often develop gradually due to normal wear, ground movement, weather exposure, or poor maintenance. Because they worsen over time, they are usually foreseeable and preventable with routine inspection and timely repair.

Common Types of Uneven Surface Conditions

Trip and fall accidents caused by uneven surfaces can occur in many different environments. Some of the most common conditions include:

Cracked and Uplifted Sidewalks

Sidewalk panels can crack, settle, or become raised due to soil movement, erosion, or tree roots. Even minor height differences can create significant tripping hazards.

Uneven Flooring Inside Buildings

Worn tiles, loose floorboards, damaged carpeting, and uneven transitions between flooring materials can cause unexpected trips inside commercial and residential properties.

Deteriorated Walkways and Pathways

Outdoor walkways exposed to weather often deteriorate over time. Broken concrete, missing sections, and uneven paving stones are common causes of falls.

Parking Lots and Parking Structures

Potholes, broken pavement, and uneven surfaces in parking areas can be difficult to see, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.

Stairs, Ramps, and Surface Transitions

Uneven stair heights, poorly designed ramps, and abrupt changes in surface elevation can create dangerous tripping conditions if not properly maintained.

Where Uneven Surface Trip and Fall Accidents Commonly Occur

Trip and fall accidents caused by uneven surfaces may occur in a wide range of locations across Orange County.

Commercial Properties

Retail stores, shopping centers, restaurants, office buildings, and business parks must maintain level and safe walking surfaces for customers and visitors.

Apartment and Multi-Family Complexes

Landlords and property managers of apartment and multi-family complexes are responsible for maintaining safe common areas such as walkways, stairwells, courtyards, and parking areas.

Public Sidewalks and Walkways

City and county sidewalks, pedestrian paths, and public access routes are frequent sites of uneven surface injuries, particularly when maintenance is delayed. 

Parking Facilities

City and county sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, and public access routes may raise government liability for unsafe public property concerns when uneven surfaces develop due to delayed inspection or maintenance.

Legal Responsibility for Uneven Surface Hazards

Property owners and those responsible for maintenance have a legal duty to keep walking surfaces reasonably safe. Liability depends on who controlled and maintained the area where the trip and fall occurred.

Potentially responsible parties may include:

• Property owners
• Commercial landlords and business operators
• Property management companies
• Homeowners’ associations
• Cities or counties responsible for public walkways

In some cases, responsibility may be shared. Determining who had control over inspection and maintenance is a critical step in evaluating an uneven surface trip and fall claim.

Proving a Trip and Fall Claim Caused by Uneven Surfaces

Trip and fall cases involving uneven surfaces are often decided by evidence showing how long the hazard existed and whether reasonable steps were taken to address it.

Key issues typically include:

• The existence of a dangerous surface condition
• The size, depth, or height difference of the uneven surface
• How long the condition existed before the accident
• Whether the responsible party knew or should have known about it
• Whether repairs or warnings were unreasonably delayed
• The connection between the surface defect and the injury

Evidence such as photographs, measurements, maintenance records, prior complaints, incident reports, and witness statements can be critical, especially if the condition is repaired after the fall.

Injuries Commonly Caused by Uneven Surface Trip and Fall Accidents

Trips caused by uneven surfaces often result in forward falls or awkward landings, leading to serious injuries.

• Fractures to the wrist, ankle, hip, or ribs
• Head injuries and concussions
• Back and spinal injuries
• Knee and shoulder injuries
• Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and ligament tears
• Long-term mobility limitations or chronic pain

These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work.

Why Uneven Surface Claims Are Often Disputed

Property owners and insurers frequently challenge uneven surface trip and fall claims. Common arguments include minimizing the defect as “too minor,” claiming the condition was open and obvious, or shifting blame to the injured person.

Because surface defects are often repaired after an incident, early documentation is essential. Maintenance records may be incomplete, and notice is often disputed. A thorough investigation helps establish the true condition of the surface and the history of the hazard.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi?

Trip and fall cases caused by uneven surfaces require a detailed, evidence-focused approach. At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we concentrate on identifying unsafe surface conditions, uncovering maintenance failures, and building claims that property owners and insurers must take seriously.

Focus on Preventable Hazards

We examine how and why the surface became unsafe and whether it could have been corrected before someone was injured.

Early Evidence Preservation

We emphasize documenting uneven surfaces before repairs are made or evidence is lost.

Experience With Property Owner Defenses

We understand common arguments raised in uneven surface cases and prepare claims 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 individuals injured in uneven surface trip and fall accidents throughout Orange County, including Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Tustin, Costa Mesa, and surrounding communities.

If you were injured due to an uneven walking surface, understanding your rights early can help protect your ability to pursue fair compensation.