Tips to Help You Prove Liability and Maximize Your Compensation in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Washington State

Were you hurt in a slip and fall accident in Eastern Washington? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault business or property owner. Slip and falls are complex premises liability cases. At‌ ‌Albrecht‌ ‌Law‌ ‌PLLC, we want to make sure that you know how to protect your rights. In this blog post, our Spokane personal injury lawyers highlight five tips to help you through the slip and fall accident claims process in Washington.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention (and Follow Up Care) for Any Injuries

All slip and fall accident injuries should be evaluated by a trained and licensed physician. Make sure that you get any necessary emergency medical care plus the proper ongoing follow-up care. You will only be able to recover financial compensation for a slip and fall in Washington if you see a doctor.

2. Report the Slip and Fall Accident and Document the Safety Hazard

After attending to immediate medical needs, one of the most important things to do after a slip and fall is to notify the at-fault business or property owner. You should also take proactive steps to document the safety hazards. Take pictures, record witnesses, get witness contact details, and write down exactly what happened.

3. Know the Standard for Liability in Washington 

A business or property owner is not always liable for a slip and fall accident in Washington. As explained in the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions–Civil, a defendant is only liable for injuries sustained in a slip and fall if the following four things can be established:

• There was an unreasonably dangerous safety hazard on the premises;
• The defendant knew or should have known about the safety hazard;
• The safety hazard contributed to the slip and fall accident; and
• The victim was in a place where they had express or implied consent to be.

4. Be Wary of Businesses, Property Owners, and Insurance Adjusters

Many slip and fall accident claims are handled by large property insurance companies. Sadly, these insurers do not have the best interests of injured victims in mind. They want to resolve premises liability claims for less—sometimes denying fault outright. It is always best to work with the defendant and their insurance carrier through an experienced Spokane slip and fall accident lawyer. A personal injury attorney will review your case, gather and organize the relevant evidence, document your damages, and handle all correspondence with defendants and insurers.

Set Up a Free Consultation With a Personal Injury Law Attorney in Spokane

At‌ ‌Albrecht‌ ‌Law‌ ‌PLLC, our Spokane slip and fall accident lawyers are strong, results-driven advocates for justice. We are here to help you establish liability and maximize your financial recovery after suffering a serious injury. Call us now or send us a message to request your free, no commitment initial appointment with a premises liability attorney. Our firm represents slip and fall accident victims in Spokane County and throughout East Washington.