Slip and falls are among the most common types of personal injury claims. In fact, the National Floor Safety Institute indicates that at least 1.1 million people seek medical attention for slip and fall accident injuries annually.
Many of these accidents could have been prevented if only proper safety precautions had been taken by the property owner or manager. In Washington, negligent property owners can be held liable for a victim’s injuries.
At Kapuza Lighty, PLLC, our Yakima slip and fall accident lawyers are committed to providing top-quality legal representation to injured victims in Eastern Washington. If you or your family member was hurt in a slip and fall accident, please contact our law firm today for professional legal guidance.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents occur for a wide variety of reasons. In many cases, these accidents happen because a property owner or occupier failed to remove or repair a safety hazard. Some of the most common examples include:
- Slippery floors;
- Uncleaned spills;
- Unrepaired leaks;
- Lack of proper lighting;
- Damaged floor tiling or floorboards;
- Loose carpeting;
- Clutter left in inappropriate places; and
- Icy or wet exterior walkways.
How to Hold a Yakima Property Owner Liable
To hold a defendant or their insurance carrier responsible for your injuries, you must be able to assert that their negligent conduct was a factor in causing the accident. Under Washington law, negligence is defined as not taking adequate care in a particular situation.
It can sometimes be difficult to apply the negligence standard to real-world cases. This is one reason why victims need strong legal representation. To prevail in a slip and fall accident claim, your personal injury lawyer will generally need to prove that:
- There was a slipping or tripping danger on the property;
- The safety hazard contributed to your accident;
- The property owner failed to take appropriate action to remove that safety hazard, or to reduce the risk of an accident; and
- You suffered real physical injuries in the fall.
Compensation Available to Injured Victims
Slip and fall accident victims deserve full and fair financial compensation for their losses. Unfortunately, compensation is not always easy to obtain. Businesses and insurance companies are known to fight slip and fall accident claims aggressively. To get a full financial recovery, you need to carefully document and persuasively present your damages. The Yakima slip and fall accident lawyers at Kapuza Lighty, PLLC may be able to help you recover money for:
- Emergency medical costs;
- Ongoing treatment;
- Physical therapy;
- Required medication or medical equipment;
- Disability compensation;
- Lost wages;
- Diminished earning ability;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Disfigurement.
Were You Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident in Washington?
