Not ownership of someone else's land, and not the same as having full control over it. An easement is a legal right to use part of another person's property for a limited purpose, even though the land itself still belongs to that owner. Common examples include a driveway access route, utility lines, drainage, or beach access. Some easements are written into a deed or other recorded document, while others can arise from long-term use or necessity.

In practical terms, an easement can limit what a property owner may build, fence off, or block. It can also affect property value, development plans, and who is responsible for upkeep. A buyer who misses an easement during a title search may find out later that a neighbor, utility company, or public agency has enforceable rights over part of the land.

For an injury claim, an easement can matter because it may affect who had the right to control or maintain the area where someone got hurt. If a person trips on a damaged shared walkway, is injured near utility equipment, or is hurt on a stormwater or access path after hurricane damage, the key question may be whether the property owner, easement holder, or another party had the duty to make the area reasonably safe. That can shape liability, insurance coverage, and whether a premises liability claim succeeds.