When you go shopping at a retail store, you should not have to worry about slip and fall incidents. However, there are times when careless or negligent actions of a property owner or operator lead to slip and fall disasters. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our team wants to discuss the major issues you will encounter if you or a loved one are injured in a retail store. Our slip and fall attorneys in Spokane will investigate your incident and work to secure the compensation you need.
These incidents are not always straightforward
When you go to a store, you should not have to worry about any injuries occurring. That is because store owners and operators have a duty to keep patrons safe from any known hazards. In the case of retail stores, slip and fall hazards are real. Store owners know this, and they should have protocols in place to prevent any type of slip and fall hazard. If a slip and fall hazard does arise, there should be procedures in place to promptly remedy the hazard.
Unfortunately, there are many issues that can arise when it comes to proving a slip and fall case. This includes:
- Proof: In many cases, this becomes a case of “he said, she said” between the injury victim and the store owner. It is vital that the injury victim work to secure any evidence they can that a hazard caused their fall. This can include video surveillance if it is available, eyewitness statements, and photographs of the hazard that are taken soon after the incident occurs.
- Partial liability: The store owner could try to blame the injury victim for the incident. Under Washington’s comparative fault laws, an injured person can still receive compensation even if they are partially at-fault. However, the total compensation awarded to the victim will be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
- Statute of limitations: All personal injury cases, including slip and fall injury cases, must be filed within three years from the date the injury occurred. However, it is advisable not to wait long to file a claim, as evidence and memories of the incident tend to fade with time.
With these issues, a skilled Spokane slip and fall accident lawyer will have the resources and legal experience to help. In most cases, an attorney will take the case on a contingency fee basis, so the client will owe no legal fees until the attorney secures a favorable settlement or verdict on their behalf.
We can help you through this
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a slip and fall incident at a retail store, please seek legal assistance today. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our respected and experienced firm will get to work investigating your case so we can secure the compensation you need. This can include coverage of all medical bills related to the injuries, any lost income if you cannot work while you recover, as well as pain and suffering damages. When you need a slip and fall attorney in Spokane, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.