Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Environmental Litigation, Products Liability; view more
Licensed in California since: 2001
Education: University of San Diego School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2013 - 2015 Call today:
949-529-2250
Free Consultation Strongin | Burger, LLP
999 Corporate DriveSuite 220
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 Visit website
Details
Eric B. Strongin is a partner at Strongin | Burger, LLP, and he has been with the firm since May 2013. While the firm's office is located in Orange County, California, he represents clients throughout the state of California. Mr. Strongin’s practice consists of personal injury, environmental/toxic exposure, wrongful death, insurance coverage litigation, business litigation involving contractual disputes and tort claims. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Mr. Strongin attended the University of San Diego School of Law, where he was an editor of the San Diego International Law Journal and member of the mock trial team before receiving his Juris Doctor in 2001. He has been admitted to practice in California since 2001, and he is also admitted before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California, the California Supreme Court as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
A highly accomplished attorney, Mr. Strongin has been able to obtain millions of dollars in compensation through jury awards and negotiated several settlements on behalf of his clients who have been harmed as the result of the negligence of other persons or entities. His cases have included tractor-trailer accidents, passenger vehicle crashes, premises liability, toxic exposure, uninhabitability, wet building syndrome, toxic mold, motorcycle accidents and defective products.
Furthermore, Mr. Strongin is experienced in litigating insurance coverage disputes, especially those involving specialty insurance, fine art, business interruption and commercial general liability.
The legal community has recognized Mr. Strongin’s accomplishments and honored him on several occasions. His fellow attorneys have taken notice of these successful results as attested by his receipt of an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell; he also holds a 10/10 rating on Avvo. In addition, he is listed among the:
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for Personal Injury
- U.S. News & World Report named to Best Law Firms
- Named to Nation’s Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Rated “Top Attorney”, “Rising Star” and “Super Lawyer” 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017-2024 by Super Lawyers®
- 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys in California by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers
- Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California by the Los Angeles Magazine
- Top 10 Attorneys for Personal Injury Law by the Attorney and Practice magazine
Active in the legal circle for more than two decades, Mr. Strongin is a member of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and the Orange County Bar Association. He is also a part of the North American Contingency Association and a delegate for the International Fine Art and Specie Insurance Conference.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Environmental Litigation, Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff, Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff, Insurance CoverageFocus areas
Animal Bites, Asbestos, Assault, Bad Faith Insurance, Brain Injury, Class Actions, Construction Accident, Insurance, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Defense, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Toxic Mold, Toxic Torts, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 20% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 40% Environmental Litigation
- 20% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
- 10% Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff
- 10% Insurance Coverage
First Admitted: 2001, California
Professional Webpage: https://stronginburger.com/our-team-02-08-2023/eric-b-strong...
Bar/Professional Activity:
- California Supreme Court
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Federal Courts within the State of California
- California State Bar
- American Association for Justice, 2021
- Art Insurance Advisors Group
- North American Contingency Association
- International Fine Art and Specie Insurance Conference (Delegate)
- Orange County Bar Association
- Member, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, 2021
Honors/Awards:
- President, Science & Technology Law Society, University of San Diego
- Who’s Who in American Law, 2001
- Recipient, Eagle Scout
- Named to Super Lawyers for Personal Injury, Rising Stars and Super Lawyer, 2013 - 2015, 2017 - 2022
- One of the Top 10 Attorneys for Personal Injury Law, Attorney and Practice Magazine
- One of the Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California, L.A. Magazine
- 10 Best Attorneys - California, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 2017-2019
- National Member of the Order of Barristers for excellence in courtroom advocacy, University of San Diego
- Mr. Strongin is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, the most recognized attorney rating service. “AV Preeminent” is the industry’s highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards. An elite group of approximately 10 percent of all attorneys holds an AV Preeminent Rating, a designation trusted worldwide, AV Rated Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell from 2018-2023
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Member of the University of San Diego School of Law National Mock Trial Team Moot Court
- J. Ruben Clark Law Society
- Boy Scouts of America, Scout Leader
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Content editor for the San Diego International Law Journal, University of San Diego
- “When Paper Doesn’t Cut It: Understanding E-Discovery Law and Putting in Place an Effective E-Discovery Strategy,” Privacy & Data Security Law Journal (February 2009)
- “Slave/Forced Labor Litigation: Illuminating a Dark Corporate Past,” proceedings of the Consumer Attorneys of California’s 38th Annual Convention (1999); reprinted in proceedings of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association’s Last Chance Seminar (1999) (coauthor)
- “Protecting the Rights of Those Who Defended Us,” 21 WHITTIER L. REV. 631 (2000) (coauthor)
- “Case Biopsy: Fire/Construction Defect Case,” presented at Forensic Expert Witness Association’s (FEWA) “Forensic Expert Witness Association 2009 Annual Conference: Diverse Disciplines … Common Concerns,” (February 26, 2009)
Educational Background:
- Brigham Young University, B.A., 1998
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Most Outstanding Trial Team - University of San Diego School of Law, 2001
- Evidence Advocacy - American Jurisprudence Award, 2001
- City of Lancaster Recognition Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, 2012
Verdicts/Settlements:
- November 2018 -- Partner Eric Strongin obtained an $11.8 million dollar award on behalf of a client after he was brutally assaulted following an altercation in Oceanside, California, 2018
- Obtained Verdict for Client After 5-Year-Long Fight Against the Irvine Company-Exposing Irvine Company’s Deceptive Practices Prevailed in a pivotal 5-year litigation against The Irvine Company, highlighting their deceptive practices and negligence in residential health standards. Represented former tenant Nic Yavelak, challenging The Irvine Company's lack of transparency and substandard remediation in one of their apartments. **Key Highlights:** 1. Investigated and countered the claims made by The Irvine Company that they promptly addressed a leak in June 2018. Revealed that this stance was a deflection from prior inadequate remediation performed in January 2018.2. Demonstrated that the Irvine Company manipulated their minimal documentation strategy to present themselves as diligent and timely in their response to housing issues.3. Unveiled the company’s negligence in allowing a new tenant to occupy an apartment contaminated with hidden black mold without any prior disclosure of flooding or remediation events. Highlighted the severe health impact this negligence had on the tenant, Nic Yavelak, due to his pre-existing health conditions.4. Cited the standard industry guidelines by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (“IICRC”) - the S520 guidelines, emphasizing the Irvine Company's disregard for these standards during the January 2018 incident.5. Exposed the Irvine Company’s employment of unqualified individuals for the remediation process in January 2018. Highlighted their deviation from the IICRC standards by implementing their own, less stringent, guidelines.6. Emphasized the lack of transparency as the Irvine Company did not detail their remediation guidelines and failed to provide adequate documentation throughout the remediation process, which is a breach from the standard IICRC procedure. **Areas of Expertise:** Residential Health Standards, Tenant Rights, and Corporate Deceptive Practices Litigation., 2023
- Obtained Landmark $2.5M Settlement for Elderly Victims of Negligent Housing Conditions Successfully represented over 30 elderly plaintiffs in a notable personal injury case against Fairview Equity, LLC, Hesperia Senior Independent Living, LLC, and Martha Weibert. The case pertained to gross negligence resulting in hazardous living conditions at a senior independent living facility in Hesperia, California.**Key Highlights:**1. Led a detailed investigation into the claims of inhumane living conditions, which included exposure to toxic mold, rodent infestations, raw sewage leaks, and dysfunctional plumbing.2. Faced challenges where the defendants consistently ignored requests for repairs, engaged in retaliation against complainants, and further concealed health risks from residents.3. Four plaintiffs tragically passed away due to illnesses related to the facility's conditions. Their deaths underscored the severity of the negligence and elder abuse by the defendants.4. Employed scientific tests that confirmed the presence of multiple toxic molds, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium, and Stachybotrys, amplifying the health risks to the elderly residents.5. Achieved a landmark settlement of $2.5 million, reflecting the dire conditions and the defendants’ negligent actions. This victory not only provided compensation to the victims but also set a precedent against landlords exploiting vulnerable groups.6. Demonstrated a firm commitment to personal injury cases, especially those revolving around elder abuse, toxic environments, and unsafe living conditions. **Expertise in:** Elder Abuse Litigation, Toxic Tort Cases, Unsafe Living Conditions Advocacy., 2022
- Obtained $2.3M Million in Landmark Settlements With Blue Rhino and Others Over Defective Propane Cylinder that Engulfed Man in Flames. Achieved a landmark settlement of over $2.3M on behalf of a burn victim who suffered critical injuries from a malfunctioning propane cylinder. The incident highlighted a faulty valve, manufactured and distributed by Blue Rhino in 2002. The case revealed lapses in safety standards within the propane industry. - Identified multiple liable parties including Blue Rhino, the propane refill operator, and other key entities.- Advocated for the victim, whose life-altering injuries were caused by the defective valve that led to a catastrophic fire.- This case not only resulted in financial restitution for the victim's medical and rehabilitation needs but also underscored the imperative of product safety in industries where lapses can have grave consequences.- Championed the importance of consumer safety, pushing manufacturers and distributors to maintain top-tier quality and accountability standards., 2023
- PRIZER v. BARNES. Coming off of back-to-back-to-back trial victories, with only the weekend in between the last trial and this one, on February 16, 2023, Eric Strongin obtained a verdict for his clients, against the County of Orange of nearly $5 million after his client was broadsided in a parking lot where two Orange County Sheriff Deputies were following a vehicle with expired registration. The driver of the vehicle was a deputy that was being trained by the deputy in the passenger side of the vehicle. After spotting the vehicle with expired registration exit the parking lot, the instructor told his trainee to "gun it." The deputies then accelerated to a speed of just over 50 miles per hour when they broadsided the plaintiff, Chaya Prizer, at an intersection. The County of Orange argued that the deputies had the right-of-way and should be assigned zero liability for the accident. The deputies did not have a stop sign prior to the intersection, but the Prizer vehicle did. However, Eric Strongin argued that the deputies had an obligation to act reasonably, under the circumstances, and that they failed to take appropriate precautions when they accelerated the Sheriff's vehicle at an excessive rate of speed in a private parking lot, and did so without activating lights or sirens. The jury agreed, and held the deputies primarily responsible for causing the accident. Prior to trial, the County of Orange offered zero dollars to settle the case., 2023
- Plaintiffs receive well over half-a-million in settlement of case against Lennar Homes and subcontractor where contractor drives drywall screw through drain pipe, resulting in heavy Stachybotrys and other toxic mold growth and triggering stroke in young child, 2022
- In Long Beach, verdict for the plaintiff! Landlord allows for toxic mold growth, fails to provide proper notice of emergency entry, and then deprives tenant of working toilet. The jury awards hundreds of thousands to the tenant/plaintiff. Plaintiff is now entitled to award of attorney's' fees and costs based on mandatory provision of California's habitability statutes. Jury also finds intentional infliction of emotional distress. Issue as to whether plaintiff can proceed to a second phase of trial to determine how much the defendant must pay in punitive damages remains up on appeal, 2022
- Plaintiffs prevail in lawsuit against Huntington Shorecliffs Mobile Home park in Huntington Beach after years of litigation. Jury finds landlord breached California's implied warranty of habitability when mobile home park used an unlicensed maintenance work to paint over visible mold growth. Maintenance worker testifies that he was prohibited from telling residents or prospective renters that he thought mobile residence was a death trap, and needed to be torn down. Defendants were required to pay for all of plaintiffs incurred medical expenses as well as loss of personal property and back rent. However, because California's habitability statute affords prevailing plaintiffs with payment of their attorneys; fees and costs, plaintiffs are expected to recover hundreds of thousands in addition to the jury's award, 2022
- $700,000 obtained from HOA and landlord in uninhabitability, toxic mold case where exposure severely impacted the lives of single mom and two children, 2022
- An entire family became ill as a result of defective construction of a basement. Defects in the construction and waterproofing material allowed moisture to penetrate basement and fostered the growth of toxic mold and bacteria. Contractor tried to conceal the water leak by installing, and hiding, a pan to catch the ongoing leaks until homeowner found the drip pan during forensic investigation of the premises. Exposures caused severe neurological, gastrointestinal and cognitive impairment in more than one family member, 2021
- Just weeks short of trial, Eric Strongin forces Hollywood landlord to finally accept judgment of appx. $400,000 against him after years of failing to have home rented by newlyweds properly repaired and remediated after toxic black mold is discovered which sickened couple and their neighbors, 2019
- Eric Strongin obtains $360,000 from slumlord who refused to make things right for Newport Beach (Balboa Island) family of the three after landlord allows sludge to accumulate underneath the home and takes it upon himself to toss roach bombs underneath house -- making entire family sick, 2020
- Eric Strongin settles toxic mold exposure case against landlords for single-family home for more than $500,000, 2020
- July 2, 2019, Attorney Eric Strongin wins before the California Court of Appeal after favorable verdict on behalf of homeowner against HOA. 1022 10th Street HOA appealed from a judgment obtained by attorneys Eric Strongin and Sheyanne Bane before the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Honorable Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presided over the trial. The Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment on July 2, 2019. Secured award of over $400,000, 2019
- Obtained $750,000 for victim of residential toxic mold. Plaintiff sustained life-altering injuries after being exposed to toxic mold while living at the home she rented with her husband in San Clemente, CA. Plaintiff and her husband moved into a home that the owners knew, and failed to disclose, had a history of leaks. Although the roof was eventually repaired, the owners of th home never took the important steps of removing the wet building materials, including drywall and portions of the ceiling, that had become wet or damp when it would rain, and the roof would leak, and remediating any fungal growth. Failure to remove the wet building materials created the perfect environment for mold growth since materials such as drywall are a perfect food source for the mold. It was only after vigorous litigation by partner, Eric Strongin, and when the parties were just days away from starting, what would be a 10 to 15-day jury trial, that the defendant landlords relented, and the matter was settled in plaintiff’s favor in the amount of $750,000. As a result of these efforts, plaintiff was able to move out of the home, and able to pay for costly medical treatment that she needs to recover from the effects of exposure, 2018
- Eric Strongin of secured a verdict, after costs, of $335,000 against the Bicycle Casino after the decedent suffered a cardiac arrest and casino security interfered with bystander efforts to perform CPR. Immediately after the decedent collapsed, bystanders began performing CPR. Thereafter, casino security, who were trained as the casino's first response team, and were CPR certified, intervened—stopping bystander CPR. Although the first security guard on the scene had removed a mask from his belt to perform CPR and rescue breathing, once the head of security arrived on the scene, he sent that guard away for crowd control. The head of security and security guards that remained with the decedent misinterpreted the decedent's agonal gasps as breathing and as a result seven minutes went by without any CPR causing an oxygen deficit in the decedent. Once paramedics arrived on the scene, they immediately began performing CPR, and that combined with the use of an AED, they were able to restart the decedent's heart (return of spontaneous circulation). Unfortunately, after 20 days in the hospital, the decedent’s daughter, a nurse at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, made the decision to take the decedent off life support due to lack of brain function., 2017
- Eric Strongin of Smith | Hall | Strongin, LLP secured a verdict in favor of a tenant against a Landlord and its property manager for $480,000 (appx.). Mr. Strongin was able to increase the recovery amount after the parties filed appeals, and the parties settled for $530,000. Defendants had previously offered only $5000 to settle the case. The tenant/plaintiff rented a newly rebuilt home in Laguna Beach. Shortly after moving into the property, she reported what she believed to be mold growing in one of the cabinets in the garage. While living at the home, plaintiff contended that she suffered from migraine headaches, gastrointestinal problems and respiratory problems as a result of the mold and moisture issues emanating from the garage. She reported the issue to the property manager who sent over a handyman to spray the visible area of growth in the garage cabinet and paint over the area with a stain resistant paint. A month or two after moving out of the property, Plaintiff noticed a contractor truck in front of the home. After speaking with the contractor, she was informed that the entire garage area of the home had extensive moisture intrusion problems that the contractor was repairing as a condition of the sale of the home. SETTLEMENT RESULT DATE: May 2017 Miramontes Properties, LLC, Del Mar Realty Group and Property Management, and Does 1 to 50, inclusive (30-2014-00701850-CU-BC-CJC) Hon. Ronald L. Bauer Orange Superior 16-JV_1316 TOPIC: Real Property SUB TOPIC: Breach of Lease FURTHER DESCRIPTION: Breach of the Implied Warranty of Habitability ATTORNEY: Plaintiff - Eric B. Strongin (Smith Hall Strongin LLP, Ladera Ranch). Defendant - David R. Sugden, Jeffrey M. David (Call & Jensen APC, Newport Beach). MEDICAL: Plaintiff - Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D., FACS, FAAEM, DABEM, environmental medicine, general surgery, Ojai. Defendant - Marvin Pietruszka, M.D., anatomic and clinical pathology, Reseda. TECHNICAL: Plaintiff - Mark Levy, CIEC, CMC, CMR, indoor environmentalist/mold inspector, Marina del Rey. Defendant - Mark Levin, J.D., MPH, industrial hygiene, Orange, 2017
Industry Groups:
- Business
- Consumers
- Fine Art
- Gig Economy
- Humans
- Injured parties
- Insurance
- Medical
- People
Office location for Eric Strongin
999 Corporate Drive
Suite 220
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Phone: 949-529-2250
Selections
7 Years Super Lawyers
3 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2013 - 2015
