When a premise is made available for public use—be it a museum, a hotel, a restaurant, a store or a banquet hall—the people invited to use that premises should feel assured that their safety will be a priority for the premises owner. However, the sad truth is that some premises owners are willfully negligent, cutting corners on customer safety to save a few dollars. These negligent practices can lead to injuries or even death. If you were injured in a premises and want to learn more about your rights as an injury victim, contact Russell & Hill, PLLC to discuss your options under the law.
Premises liability facts
Premises owners owe a duty of care under the law to those whom they allow entering their premises. This means that people who enter a premise should be able to enjoy a hazard-free environment or, where hazards are present, be given fair warning about those hazards. This is why we see “wet floor” signs on freshly-mopped walkways. When hazards are present but visitors are not warned of them, the owner of those premises maybe held liable for damages to the person or property resulting from negligence. This means that if you trip on a piece of loose carpeting and are injured, the premises owner could be found negligent for not repairing the carpeting, and thus creating the hazard that caused the injury.
Negligence can lead to serious injuries
The negligence of a property owner or manager can lead to major injuries. For example, if a stairway is in poor repair and the owner knows of their condition, but does not take any action to fix the hazard, the owner may be liable for any injuries sustained by a person using the stairs. Such situations often lead to serious, and even catastrophic, injuries that can leave a person permanently disabled.
You have the right to file a lawsuit if you were injured
If you were injured and believe the premises owner or manager’s negligence contributed to your injury, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent party and recover monetary damages as compensation for your pain and suffering.
We can assist with your premises liability claim
At Russel & Hill, PLLC, we handle premises liability cases. If you were injured while on a premises and believe the owner was liable for your injuries, contact us for a free consultation and we will review the details of your case. We have helped many of our clients receive financial compensation, and we can help you too. We offer legal services on a fee-contingent basis, so you do not pay a dime in attorney’s fees until your case has been resolved through either a courtroom win or an out-of-court settlement. Call today for your free consultation.
What are the most common ways people get hurt on someone else’s property?
Premises injuries are not uncommon, and they happen in a variety of ways. Nearly all premises injuries are preventable. They usually occur when a property owner or their employees are negligent or careless in their duties.
Some of the most common premises injury cases we see include:
- Slip and fall accidents due to hazardous conditions
- Restaurant injuries such as contaminated food
- Amusement ride incidents
- Negligent security leading to assaults
- Property defects due to inadequate maintenance
- Swimming pool or hot tub incidents
Can I bring a premises liability case against a private residence owner?
Yes, you can bring premises liability claims for incidents that happen at private residences. Many people are hesitant to bring a claim against a friend or a relative in the aftermath of an incident, but it is important to remember that you are bringing a claim against their insurance provider, not them directly.
Our Seattle premises liability attorneys want you to take the steps necessary to ensure your health and finances come first. The costs of many premises liability injuries can reach into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What should I do after a premises injury occurs?
As soon as a premises injury occurs, you need to report it and seek medical attention. If you can, document the cause of the accident with a camera. Gather eyewitness names and phone numbers.
Keep records of all medical care you need and follow your doctor’s orders, including follow-up visits and courses of treatment.
It has been a while since I was injured. Is it too late to file a claim?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Washington is three years from the date of the accident or injury. If you file a case outside of this 3-year window, it will most likely be dismissed. The sooner you get your claim started, the better chance you will have at a successful resolution.
As soon as an incident is over, the evidence begins to disappear. The cause of the incident will be fixed or covered up. Eyewitness memories will begin to fade. Make sure you get the ball rolling as soon as you can.
What kind of compensation can I expect for my claim?
If you are injured on another person’s property due to the negligence of the property owner or their agents, you should be eligible for compensation for the following:
- Coverage of past and future medical expenses
- Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
- Coverage of physical therapy
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we know that these cases can become complicated. Our Seattle premises liability lawyers are ready to help. We will investigate your case and negotiate vigorously on your behalf. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
