If you have suffered an injury because of a slip and fall accident in Vancouver, Washington, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A slip and fall claim is a type of premises liability lawsuit that aims to hold a negligent property owner accountable for failing to properly use or maintain a premises. Contact NW Injury Law Center for assistance with your case, as we have skilled attorneys with years of experience in this practice area. We’ll discuss how we can help you during a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Is a Slip and Fall Claim?
A slip and fall claim is a civil lawsuit that arises out of the legal theory of premises liability. Premises liability states that the owner of a building or property must take reasonable steps to ensure that it is safe for visitors. What is reasonable depends on what an ordinary property owner would do under similar circumstances. If a property owner fails to fulfill this duty of care, he or she can be held liable (financially responsible) for a related accident.
Do I Have a Case?
To file a lawsuit for a slip and fall accident in Washington, you or your lawyer must prove four main elements:
- The defendant was the owner or controller of the property where the accident took place.
- The defendant was negligent, meaning he or she did not take reasonable care to prevent injury.
- Your slip and fall accident – and resultant injuries – would not have happened but for the defendant’s negligence.
- You suffered compensable losses in the slip and fall, such as injuries and medical bills.
You must prove these elements as more likely to be true than not true. This is the burden of proof in a premises liability claim, referred to as a “preponderance of the evidence.”
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur in Vancouver?
A property owner in Vancouver has a legal obligation to search the premises for defects or fall hazards, promptly remedy known issues, and warn visitors of potential injury risks. These are the duties of care that a property owner owes to invitees, or invited guests. Falling short of these duties of care can create many slip and fall risks:
- Ice, snow or rain tracked inside
- Uneven flooring surfaces or curbs
- Cracked or broken sidewalks
- Wet, greasy or waxed floors
- Spilled liquids or food debris
- Trip hazards, such as cords or loose rugs
- Cluttered or poorly lit walkways
- Dangerous staircases or loose railings
Licensees and trespassers on a property are not owed the same duties of care as invitees. Understanding your classification as a visitor can help you determine the duties that were owed to you – as well as if the property owner can be held liable for your slip and fall accident.
What Damages Are Available?
Bringing a slip and fall lawsuit in Vancouver can result in financial compensation being given to you for several related economic (specific) and noneconomic (general) losses. This compensation, also referred to as damages, could pay for your past and future medical bills, property repairs, lost income, lost quality of life, pain and suffering, legal fees, out-of-pocket costs, and more. Find out what your case is worth during a free consultation with our Vancouver injury attorneys.
Contact Our Vancouver Office Today for a Free Consultation
Suffering an injury in a slip and fall accident can change your life. At NW Injury Law Center in Vancouver, Washington, we want to help you put things back together. Our lawyers can hold a negligent property owner accountable for your slip and fall accident and demand fair compensation for your associated injuries, expenses and losses. Discuss your case in more detail today by requesting a free consultation at our local law firm. Call (360) 695-1624 or send us an online message and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.