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Slip and fall accidents can occur for many reasons, often due to a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe environment. These accidents may be caused by various hazards that could have been easily prevented with proper care and attention.
Examples of Common Slip and Fall Hazards
- Slippery floors due to spills, wet surfaces, or waxed floors
- Uncleaned or unnoticed spills
- Unrepaired leaks that create puddles or wet areas
- Lack of proper lighting, making it difficult to see hazards
- Damaged floor tiles, floorboards, or cracked pavement
- Loose carpeting or rugs that can trip a person
- Clutter or obstacles left in walkways or aisles
- Icy or wet walkways and driveways, especially during winter months
How to Hold a Yakima Property Owner Liable
To succeed in a slip and fall injury claim, your lawyer will typically need to demonstrate the following:
- There was a slipping or tripping hazard present on the property.
- The hazard directly contributed to the accident and your injuries.
- The property owner failed to take appropriate action to either eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk of an accident.
- You sustained real physical injuries as a result of the fall.
If you’re able to prove the key elements of your slip and fall claim, you could recover the compensation you deserve for your losses. In these cases, your losses generally fall into two main categories, both rooted in the legal concept of damages:
Economic Damages
These include the costs of medical treatment for your injuries, such as hospital bills, doctor’s visits, and ongoing therapy, as well as any income you lose from being unable to work during your recovery.
Noneconomic Damages
These refer to your subjective losses, which encompass pain and suffering, the impact on your personal relationships, and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
Estimating the right amount of compensation can be complex, but an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Yakima knows exactly how to handle it. For instance, our team will request copies of all your medical bills and receipts, and if you’re self-employed, we’ll review your paystubs or profit-and-loss statements to understand the full scope of your financial losses. This helps us accurately calculate your economic damages.
When it comes to noneconomic losses, we rely on our experience. Having represented countless clients, we know how a jury evaluates claims related to pain and suffering or emotional distress. In many cases, our clients are able to secure several times the amount of their economic damages in pain and suffering compensation.
Common Slip and Fall Questions
What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident?
After a slip and fall accident, it’s important to seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor. You should also report the incident to the property owner or manager and document the scene, including taking photos of the hazard, your injuries, and gathering witness information.
How do I know if I have a valid slip and fall case?
To determine if you have a valid case, a slip and fall lawyer will need to assess whether the property owner was negligent in maintaining safe conditions, and whether that negligence directly caused your injury. Evidence such as photos, medical records, and witness statements will play a key role in determining the strength of your case.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Washington State?
In Washington State, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a slip and fall lawsuit. If you don’t file within this time frame, you may lose your right to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Washington follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still pursue compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your recovery may be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
What type of compensation can I recover in a slip and fall claim?
You may be entitled to compensation for a range of damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical therapy costs, and in severe cases, disability or disfigurement. An experienced lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your claim.
What if the property owner doesn't have insurance?
If the property owner does not have insurance or if the coverage is insufficient, your attorney can help you explore other options for compensation, such as your own health insurance, a personal injury protection plan, or other liability sources.
