Albrecht Law PLLC helps victims of slip-and-fall accidents in Spokane and throughout Washington seek compensation for their injuries, combining cutting-edge technology with loyal, personalized service.
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According to the National Floor Safety Institute, fall accidents account for over eight million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits at 21.3%. Slip-and-fall accidents account for over one million visits, or 12% of total falls.
In addition to floor hazards involving property owners, in the Pacific Northwest, slippery, icy conditions can also cause a slip-and-fall accident. Snow and icy conditions require caution, care, and the expectation that property owners demonstrate reasonable care by removing snow and ice as soon as possible. A negligent property owner increases the chances of a slip-and-fall occurring on their premises.
If you’ve experienced a slip-and-fall accident at a business or on someone else’s property, you can potentially receive compensation since personal injury law includes slip-and-fall incidents. However, to win a personal injury claim for a slip-and-fall accident, your fall must not have been due to your own carelessness, but rather due to hazardous conditions such as slippery floors, objects obstructing the pathway, or a property owner’s failure to clear snow and ice. When filing a personal injury claim after a slip and fall, various factors must be considered, which is why seeking assistance from a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine the viability of your case and the right approach to prove negligence and recover compensation. At Albrecht Law, you are not just a case, but a valued client. We provide loyal, personalized service combined with cutting-edge technology to pursue your personal injury lawsuit.
Common injuries from slip-and-fall accidents in Washington due to snow and ice include:
These injuries can occur due to abrupt movements during a fall, hard landings, and slippery conditions such as snow or ice. It’s important to seek legal advice if you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident to understand your options for seeking compensation and justice.
Common slip-and-fall injuries due to slippery floors, cracked pavement, and other dangerous conditions include:
Slippery floors can lead to sudden falls causing wrist and ankle sprains, while uneven pavement can lead to trips and falls leading to fractures or head injuries. Seek medical attention right away if you’ve been injured, then consult a slip-and-fall attorney for assistance with your slip-and-fall case.
When it comes to slip-and-fall accidents, the responsibility for injuries lies with the property owner, but you may also bear some responsibility. While property owners are obligated to maintain a safe environment, individuals must exercise caution in their own actions. This means avoiding potentially dangerous situations, such as walking slowly on icy sidewalks or watching out for hazards in stores.
Determining negligence is crucial in slip-and-fall cases. If you are found to be completely negligent and at fault for the accident, it is unlikely that you will receive any compensation from the court.
Washington’s premises liability law holds property owners responsible for maintaining safe conditions for visitors. Although a property owner is not automatically liable for injuries or accidents that occur on their premises, they have a legal duty to ensure the safety of anyone with permission to enter their property.
Concerning conditions such as snow and ice, premises liability law expects property owners to take reasonable measures to prevent falls. These measures may include clearing snow and ice from walkways and applying salt or sand to mitigate slippery conditions. Failure to take reasonable care could lead to liability if someone is injured due to these hazardous conditions.
Similarly, in the case of cracked pavement or slippery floors, premises liability law expects property owners to address these dangers to prevent injuries to visitors. They must repair cracked pavement and address any slippery floor surfaces to maintain a safe environment for those on their property.
Overall, property owners must uphold a duty of care to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors, regardless of the specific hazard involved. If a property owner fails to fulfill these obligations, they can be held liable. Experienced slip-and-fall lawyers will consider the many factors involved in an individual case when pursuing a fair settlement.
In Washington, even if you were partially at fault for an accident (contributory negligence), you can still seek compensation for your damages. Under Washington law (RCW 4.22.005), both parties involved in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions or omissions. If multiple parties are at fault, the claimant’s recovery is reduced by their share of the fault. For example, if the claimant is 20% at fault and the other party is 80% at fault, the claimant’s compensation will be reduced by 20%.
It’s important to remember that even if the claimant is mostly at fault, they can still recover, but their damages will be reduced based on their level of fault. Since comparative negligence in Washington can be complex, it’s wise to consult an experienced slip and fall attorney to protect your rights.
Slip-and-fall accidents often lead to personal injury claims, particularly when the injured party believes that hazardous conditions were the cause. These hazardous conditions can range from a cracked sidewalk outside of a supermarket to a broken elevator in a hotel.
If you have experienced a slip-and-fall due to a permanent hazardous condition, such as those mentioned above, you may have a strong personal injury lawsuit claim. Property owners have a responsibility to repair and maintain their premises to ensure the safety of customers. This responsibility is even greater when the hazard is severe and can cause significant injuries.
Temporary hazardous conditions, such as an icy sidewalk, can also lead to slip-and-fall injuries. However, proving the liability of a business owner for a temporary hazard can be more challenging. One key factor is how long the hazard existed before the accident occurred. A court will consider whether the owner or employees had ample time to address the issue and prevent injuries.
Because slip-and-fall cases involving temporary hazards can be difficult to win, consult a personal injury attorney before proceeding with a claim. An experienced lawyer can evaluate your unique situation and advise on the viability of your case. They will also be skilled in presenting your claim effectively in court.
If you have suffered injuries due to hazardous conditions, understanding your legal rights and seeking professional guidance can make all the difference in pursuing a successful personal injury lawsuit.
Immediately after suffering an injury in a slip-and-fall accident, take the following steps to protect your well-being and potential legal claim.
In a slip-and-fall case, time is of the essence. You will likely deal with medical bills, lost wages from time off work, and pain and suffering. Taking action quickly with the help of a slip-and-fall lawyer helps ensure that negligent parties are held responsible for your personal injury and the right strategy for pursuing compensation based on the unique details of your case is set in motion.
Whether your fall injury occurred due to a wet floor in a supermarket, a broken pavement in a walkway, or another dangerous condition, the responsible parties must be held accountable for injuries that are directly caused by their negligence. A knowledgeable and experienced slip- and-fall lawyer will listen to the details of your case, devise an effective approach to establish liability, pursue fair compensation for medical bills and other costs due to the fall, and protect your legal and financial interests.
Because they often work on a contingency basis, you typically won’t pay personal injury lawyers a dime until and unless they recover compensation for you. Don’t deal with property owners and insurance companies alone. Seek the legal services of a seasoned personal injury law office.
Many plaintiff’s lawyers have never been to trial. Although nobody wants to go to the Washington State Court of Appeals, what if your case goes there and your lawyer has no experience? They will abandon you with no recourse to seek compensation for your personal injury with a slip-and-fall lawsuit. Choose a lawyer from the outset who can handle going to trial if needed for your case. At Albrecht Law, we have gone to the Washington State Supreme Court multiple times. If you stick with us for your slip-and-fall lawsuit, we’ll stick with you.
Our Founder Matt Albrecht is the only planner and lawyer to have received the AASHTO (American Assoc of State Highway and Transportation Officials) award for innovative new planning proposals for funding safety improvements. He prioritizes protecting children and pursuing safety for the traveling public by making roads and transportation systems safer. Matt’s profound understanding of insurance law, which he draws upon when representing clients, helps him build robust cases and pursue fair compensation following car crashes.
He is also recognized by the state of Washington as an expert in insurance law, who authored the book, Washington Insurance Law and Litigation, 2023-2024 ed. (Vol. 35, Washington Practice Series)
Whether your injury occurred indoors or on an icy pavement, trust the fall lawyers at Albrecht Law to offer loyal, personalized service combined with cutting-edge technology and extensive knowledge and experience in slip-and-fall cases. Don’t suffer any longer. Contact us at (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 or complete our online form today to schedule your free consultation. We are here to serve you.
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