Slip & Fall
Every year, thousands of people end up in hospitals because of serious slip and fall accidents. These accidents can lead to severe injuries like hip fractures, sprained wrists, and even traumatic brain injuries. Sometimes, the consequences can be even worse. If you’ve recently been hurt or lost a loved one due to a slip and fall, the caring team at Emerald Law Group in Seattle is here to help. You might be entitled to compensation from the property owner or another responsible party. Reach out to us for a free consultation to discuss your case with a seasoned slip and fall lawyer.
Slip & Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident is exactly what it sounds like: when someone slips or trips and falls, often getting hurt in the process. In the world of civil law, a slip and fall is a type of personal injury case where someone gets injured on another person’s property. This falls under premises liability, meaning the property owner could be held legally responsible for the fall.
If you think you might have a slip and fall claim in Seattle, you could be entitled to financial compensation from the property owner or another responsible party. These claims usually hinge on the idea that the property owner had a duty to keep the place safe and didn’t do that. In Washington, property owners owe a duty of care mainly to invitees and licensees—people who have a reason to be on the property, like customers at a store.
Slip and fall cases can be tricky to handle on your own. Sadly, because of a few dishonest claims, courts tend to be skeptical of plaintiffs. If you’re dealing with soft-tissue injuries like pulled muscles, it can be even tougher since these injuries might not show up on medical scans. That’s where a lawyer from Emerald Law Group comes in. We can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case and show the property owner’s fault. We’ll take care of everything, from collecting property maintenance records to dealing with insurance companies for you. If you want to focus on your recovery and still get the best payout possible, consider hiring one of our friendly Seattle personal injury attorneys to represent you.
The easiest way to figure out if you have a valid slip and fall claim is to chat with a local slip and fall attorney in Seattle. They can assess your situation and help you understand your options.
Seattle Slip & Fall Laws
Not every slip leads to a lawsuit. We need to carefully review the property’s condition and the hazard that caused your fall. People can slip in various places, including sidewalks, parking lots, and indoors. Common reasons for slipping include:
- Ice
- Snow
- Condensation
- Spilled liquids
- Loose tiles or boards
- Poorly maintained staircases
- Worn carpeting
- Freshly mopped or waxed floors
In Washington, property owners have specific duties based on why you were on their property:
Invitees: Property owners must use reasonable care to keep the premises safe, including regular inspections to identify and fix hazards. For example, a grocery store should have an employee check for spills periodically. If a hazard is detected, it must be fixed promptly or a warning must be given. Common invitees include business customers, like shoppers.
Licensees: Property owners owe fewer duties. They must warn of known hazards and take reasonable steps to fix them but are not required to regularly inspect for hidden defects. A typical licensee is someone visiting for personal reasons, like a friend or neighbor.
Trespassers: Property owners owe minimal care, mainly refraining from intentional harm. However, if a child is drawn to trespass due to an attractive nuisance, like a swimming pool or abandoned refrigerator, owners must take steps to protect them.
Once we understand why you were on the property, we can determine if the property owner took sufficient care to protect you.
Slip & Fall Injuries
A slip, trip, or fall can cause serious injuries, especially for our elderly loved ones. Hip fractures, in particular, can lead to severe health complications for seniors. But it’s not just the elderly—anyone can suffer significant injuries from a fall. At Emerald Law Group, our slip and fall accident attorneys have the experience to help clients with all kinds of injuries, including:
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Paralysis
- Hip Fractures
- Muscle Tears
- Neck Injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Wrist Fractures
- Cuts and Scrapes
- Facial Cuts, Scarring, and Disfigurement
- Head Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Nerve Damage
We understand how much a serious injury can affect your life. That’s why we’re committed to holding negligent property owners accountable and helping you get the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Our team will fight tirelessly to recover the full extent of your medical expenses, including future care for permanent disabilities. We’ll also make sure you’re compensated for your emotional pain and suffering.
Help With Slip & Fall Accidents in Seattle
Slips and falls can happen just about anywhere. If a property owner is responsible for creating a hazard, if they knew or should have known about the slippery conditions, or if it was pretty obvious that a slip and fall could happen, they can be held responsible for any injuries. When you take a tumble, it can lead to medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even a drop in your quality of life. At Emerald Law Group, we go after negligent property owners to make sure they are held accountable for slip and fall accidents on their premises.
We handle cases involving:
- Stores and Restaurants
- Government Property
- Sidewalks
- Retail and Department Stores
- Shopping Malls
- Big Box Stores
- Transit Agencies
Some common causes of slip and fall accidents we see include:
- Spilled liquids
- Slippery floors from mopping, waxing, or buffing
- Rain, snow, or ice tracked indoors
- Missing or inadequate floor mats
- Leaking refrigerator cases or AC units
- Marble floors or other naturally slippery surfaces without floor mats
- Stairs and ramps lacking handrails or non-slip treads
Slip & Fall Damages
Figuring out how much a slip and fall case is worth depends a lot on how bad the injuries are and what kind of losses were suffered. Generally, cases with more serious injuries tend to be worth more than those with minor ones. You or a loved one might be able to get compensation for a range of damages, such as:
- Medical expenses and disability costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering (both past and future)
- Emotional distress
- Legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses
- Punitive damages
If you want to know the value of your slip and fall claim in Seattle, why not schedule a free consultation with our local slip and fall attorneys? We’ll take a close look at your case to give you an accurate estimate of its worth. If we decide to take you on as a client, we’ll work hard to negotiate with the insurance company to get you the best possible compensation.
What to Do After a Slip & Fall in Seattle
Here are some quick tips to protect your rights after a slip and fall:
- Get Medical Help: Call 911 if needed. Take the offered ride to the hospital. If it’s not an emergency, see a doctor ASAP for a check-up.
- Report the Incident: If it happened in a store, tell the staff and ensure they document it. If it happened in your rental, inform the landlord or homeowner.
- Take Photos: If you can, snap pictures of what caused the fall. If you can’t, ask someone to do it for you.
- Gather Witness Info: Get contact details from anyone who saw the fall or the hazard. If you’re hurt, prioritize getting to the hospital, but witness info can be helpful later.
- Keep Your Clothes and Shoes: Preserve them as they were after the fall in a plastic bag.
- Consult a Lawyer: Contact a personal injury law firm like Emerald Law Group for free advice on the next steps.
- Don’t Talk to Insurance or Company Reps: Speak to your own lawyer first.
Contact Emerald Law Group Today
Slip and fall cases can be trickier than you think. There are lots of obstacles to getting compensation. For example, the property owner might fix the hazard quickly and deny it ever existed. Some owners might even blame you for ignoring warning signs. The best thing to do after a slip is to take photos of the hazard or get witness info.
Reach out to Emerald Law Group today. Our Seattle slip and fall lawyer will listen to your concerns and analyze your right to make a claim against the property owner for negligence.
