If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering who is liable for your injuries.
In Washington state, the law is relatively clear on this issue: the property owner is generally responsible for any injuries that occur on their property. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
In this blog post, we will discuss who is liable for slip and fall accidents in Washington state, and what you can do if you believe someone else is responsible for your injuries.
Slip and Fall Accident Liability
After sustaining an injury in a slip and fall accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Once you have been seen by a doctor, you should then contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. An experienced lawyer will be able to review your case and determine who is liable for your injuries.
In most cases, the property owner will be held responsible for any accidents that occur on their premises. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
For example, if the property owner was not aware of the dangerous condition that caused your accident, they may not be held liable. Sometimes this requires physical documentation that the property owner or operator was notified of the dangerous condition that led to the injury-causing incident, but this is not always the case. If the property owner or operator reasonably should have known about the hazardous condition on the premises, they may still be held liable for injuries that result from the hazard.
Additionally, if you were trespassing on the property when the accident occurred, the property owner may not be held liable. Trespassing is considered the act of knowingly entering someone else’s property without being granted permission ahead of time.
Slip and Fall Personal Injury Cases
The primary requirement for a slip and fall personal injury case is that the property owner or operator must have acted negligently in some way, leading to a dangerous condition that caused your injury-sustaining accident.
In general, there are four elements necessary for a viable slip and fall personal injury case, including:
- The property owner had a duty to keep the premises safe;
- The property owner breached that duty by failing to correct a dangerous condition or warn visitors of the danger;
- You were injured as a direct result of the property owner’s negligence; and
- You suffered damages as a result of your injuries.
If you can prove all four of these elements, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. Among others, some of the types of compensation that are often recoverable in these types of cases include:
- Medical bills,
- Lost wages, and
- Pain and suffering.
However, it is important to note that each case is unique, and you should always consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer before filing a claim.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Cases in Washington State
The statute of limitations refers to the length of time you are allowed to file a lawsuit. In Washington state, you may file a slip and fall personal injury lawsuit within three years of the date of your injury.
If you wait until after three years have passed before filing your case, the court will likely throw it out and it will not be considered.
We’re Here to Support Injured Victims
At Dore Law Group, PLLC, our experienced personal injury lawyer, Attorney Jim Dore, has successfully represented many clients in slip and fall accidents. If you have been hurt in a slip and fall incident, contact us today for a free consultation. We will review your case and help you determine the best course of action.
Give our Kent personal injury attorney at Dore Law Group, PLLC a call today at (253) 236-3888 to discuss your case.
