In Washington, slip-and-fall accidents are greatly covered by the legal system. Unfortunately, a professional provider is required to determine accident causes and compensation. In many instances, a property owner may be responsible for the injured party’s loss of quality of life, extensive injuries, or even death (RCW 4.24.630).
In other cases, a property owner may not be liable at all. In general, slip and fall liability may be difficult to determine as accident scenes aren’t necessarily viewable. Several stages of slip and fall liability do, however, cover much of a situation’s possible outcomes.
Regardless of the circumstances of your accident, you deserve to be compensated fairly for the injuries you have suffered. We encourage you to seek representation from our Spokane slip and fall attorneys so that you have a better chance of recovering the complete compensation you are owed.
Contact us online or call (509) 327-0777 to get started with a free consultation.
Determining Property Owner Liability
In many cases, a property owner’s liability is determined by a scene’s safety conditions. Property owners have duties to maintain their property’s “reasonable safety,” and individuals injured on an owner’s property can claim the property owner’s negligence.
If a victim can prove a property owner’s knowledge of unsafe conditions, a successful personal injury claim can be made. Several factors come into play: A property’s dangerous conditions must be present for a certain amount of time and the victim’s own conduct certainly plays a role.
Negligence & Discovery
Determining a property owner’s negligence often requires proof of their knowledge. A defendant’s knowledge of a dangerous condition can be considered “determinative.” If this is the case, a plaintiff can be entitled to find out whether or not the defendant was knowingly negligent through a discovery procedure.
During discovery, a defendant may be forced to reveal repair logs, maintenance records, and surveillance videos. Any and all evidence aiding the discovery process may be used, and Spokane injury lawyers commonly utilize comparative negligence to determine the degree to which each party is at fault (RCW 4.22.005). The amount of a defendant’s comparative negligence is determined by a judge.
Severity of Injury & Plaintiff Faults
Understandably, no case is clearly resolved with the defendant’s proven negligence. As stated above, comparative negligence is taken into account. A plaintiff may have been partially at fault for their own injury. In such cases, claims may be reduced.
Understanding circumstances leading to an accident as well as fault degree can greatly help a plaintiff’s position. The severity of injury must be determined and both sides of a case must calculate a case’s overall worth before settlement negotiations begin. Often, initially “favorable” cases for plaintiffs are derailed as the individual’s own conduct is researched, analyzed, and revealed.
For this reason, slip and fall victims are urged to obtain and speak with a personal injury attorney before discussing the event with any other parties.
Receiving Adequate Coverage
Twyford Law Office can work tirelessly to determine liability in your case. Slip and fall damages are often up to contest between a plaintiff and defendant. Whether one slips in a grocery store or is injured on a sidewalk, professional assistance should always be sought to obtain proper compensation.
Get Help from a Spokane Slip & Fall Lawyer – Call Today
Every accident is a complex situation but our professionals are fully capable of helping you navigate the road ahead. If someone’s wrongful conduct has injured you or a loved one, a claim should be pursued. We understand the troubles associated with slip-and-fall injuries – and we are here to help.
Contact us today for more information. Call (509) 327-0777.
