How to Prove Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
Explained by a Seattle Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, we urge you to contact the Law Office of J.D. Smith, PLLC. With the leadership of a Seattle personal injury attorney with more than 20 years of combined experience handling slip and fall accident claims, we would be glad to help you too.
Reasons to hire our legal team:
- We are a NO RECOVERY, NO FEE law firm
- We offer free consultations
- 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating
- Inclusion in Super Lawyers®
How big is the problem?
According to the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in the United States, accounting for nearly 9 million visits to America's emergency rooms every year. Additionally, falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional death in homes and communities, accounting for over 25,000 fatalities in 2009 alone.
Common causes of slips & falls:
- Electrical and phone cords in traffic areas
- Ripped or torn carpeting
- Uneven surfaces
- Unguarded heights
- Tripping hazards on stairs or walkways
- Slippery surfaces
- Spills
- Leaky roofs
- Cluttered hallways
When the Slip & Fall Accident Wasn't Your Fault
Accidents happen all the time, but when injuries occur for reasons beyond your control, you may be wondering if you have legal recourse.
When pursuing damages in a slip and fall case, in order to win you will need to prove that someone else – usually the lessee or property owner, is liable for your injuries.
In order to hold the property owner responsible for your injuries, you will need to prove one of the following:
- The property owner or an employee should have observed the dangerous condition such as torn carpeting, or a pothole and repaired or removed the danger, but did not.
- The property owner or an employee caused the dangerous condition which lead to the slip and fall accident, and it was reasonably foreseeable that someone would get hurt due to that condition.
Dangerous conditions happen on properties all the time, but the key question is if a reasonable person would have considered that situation dangerous, and whether or not the defendant had enough time to remedy the situation before the accident occurred.
Contact the Law Office of J.D. Smith, PLLC today!
At the Law Office of J.D. Smith, PLLC, we have a wealth of experience helping people who have sustained injuries on other peoples' property. In a free case evaluation, we can review the facts of your case and explain your legal options.
If you are entitled to compensation, you should take advantage of this opportunity before the statute of limitations runs out and you lose your chance to file a claim permanently.
Call our Seattle personal injury firm to get started – we look forward to assisting you!
