Slip and fall accidents can happen when you least expect them. You might be walking through a grocery store, browsing at the mall, or heading into your office building, and then suddenly, you fall. In Seattle, the rainy weather often makes sidewalks and entryways extra slippery.
Unfortunately, that makes these accidents more common.
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall because someone else failed to keep their property safe, you shouldn’t have to deal with the long-lasting consequences. At the Law Offices of Justin R. Boland, PLLC, we are ready to fight for you if your falling accident could have been prevented.
Learn more about how our Seattle slip and fall lawyer can help you get your deserved compensation.
What Is Considered a Slip and Fall Accident?
When someone loses their footing due to a hazardous condition on another person’s property, that is known as a slip and fall accident. According to the National Flooring Safety Institute, slips and falls make up about over 1 million emergency room visits every year.
Many times, these accidents result in minor injuries like bruises and sprains. However, fractures, head trauma, or spinal cord damage can also occur.
Slip and fall accidents can lead to:
- Fractures in the wrists, ankles, or hips
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Cuts and bruises
The severity of the injury depends on the direction of the fall and the force exerted as the person landed on the ground.
What leads to these incidents? There are many factors. However, the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven surfaces
- Poor lighting
- Cluttered walkways
- Lack of handrails
- Icy pavement that is not properly iced
Who is responsible when you slip and fall in Seattle? Under premises liability, property owners, landlords, and businesses have a legal duty to keep their spaces safe for visitors. When they fail to address hazards in a reasonable time, they can be held liable for injuries.
If you have been injured in any of these incidents, reach out to an experienced Seattle slip and fall attorney to learn more about your legal options.
What Is Premises Liability Law in Seattle?
If you’ve ever slipped on a wet floor at a grocery store or tripped over an uneven sidewalk outside a business, you may have wondered who is responsible for your injuries.
These types of accidents fall under premises liability law. This principle holds property owners accountable for maintaining safe conditions on their property.
Premises liability cases classify visitors into three categories based on their legal right to be on the property:
Invitees
These individuals enter a property for business purposes, such as customers at a store or clients visiting an office. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care. They must regularly inspect their premises for potential hazards and address any dangers right away.
Licensees
Licensees include social guests or individuals with permission to be on the property. However, they are not there for business reasons. This is more of a friend visiting your home. Property owners must warn licensees about any known dangers that might not be obvious, such as a loose railing or a slippery step.
Trespassers
A trespasser is someone who enters a property without permission. Property owners are not obligated to keep trespassers safe, but there are exceptions when children are involved.
For example, if a property has an unfenced swimming pool, the owner could be held liable under Washington’s attractive nuisance doctrine. This doctrine protects children who may be drawn to hazardous conditions.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Seattle Slip and Fall Attorney
How Do You Prove a Slip and Fall Claim in Washington?
If you have been injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, you may have the right to pursue a slip and fall claim. However, proving liability requires demonstrating the following key elements:
- Duty of care: The property owner had a legal obligation to keep the premises safe.
- Breach of duty: The owner failed to take reasonable steps to fix or warn about a hazard.
- Causation: The hazardous condition directly caused your accident.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Slip and Fall Case?
After a slip and fall, one of the biggest questions is: Who is responsible? You might think just the property owner, but that is not always the case.
Liability is not always easy to determine; different parties could be at fault depending on where and how the accident happened.
Some of these parties may be:
Private Property Owners
If you slipped at someone’s home, the homeowner may be responsible, especially if they knew about a hazard and did not fix it. For renters, landlords are liable if they fail to repair a dangerous issue, like a broken step or leaky ceiling.
Business Owners
When you walk into a store, restaurant, or office, you expect it to be safe. Business owners must regularly inspect their property, clean up spills, fix uneven flooring, and keep walkways clear. If they fail to do this, and you get hurt, they could be held accountable.
Government Entities
Tripped on a cracked sidewalk or slipped on an icy staircase at a public building? The city, county, or state could be responsible. Filing a claim against the government can be tricky, with tight deadlines and extra legal steps. However, it is possible with the right legal guidance.
Property Management Companies
Many buildings, shopping centers, and apartment complexes hire management companies to maintain the property. If they fail to keep walkways safe or ignore necessary repairs, they might be liable for your accident.
Figuring out who’s at fault in a slip and fall case can be complicated. A Seattle slip and fall lawyer can help you determine who is responsible and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How a Slip and Fall Attorney in Seattle Can Assist
A falling accident can leave you with more than just physical pain. It can result in mounting medical bills, lost income, and a long road to recovery.
Along with examining the details of the case and determining fault, knowing the full extent of your damages is an important part of the process.
If you are currently dealing with the aftermath of this incident, you already know that slip and fall injuries can be costly. However, a slip and fall lawyer in Seattle will make sure insurance companies do not shortchange you. Potential compensation may include:
- Emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care medical expenses
- Lost wage replacement if your injury prevents you from working
- Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life compensation
Navigating a slip and fall claim on your own can be stressful. A Seattle slip and fall attorney can take the burden off your shoulders, handle the legal process, and fight for the best possible outcome. If you’ve been injured, reach out to the Law Offices of Justin R. Boland, PLLC today.
Get the Legal Help You Need for Your Seattle Slip and Fall Case
Slip and fall accidents lead to serious injuries and financial hardships. To make matters worse, this all happened because of someone else’s negligence. You need the help of a skilled and experienced slip and fall lawyer.
At the Law Offices of Justin R. Boland, PLLC, we are here to help you improve your chances of a successful claim. We will work to make sure you get the maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact our law office for a free consultation.
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