Stepping on a patch of ice, an unseen puddle, or even a loose piece of carpeting could quickly lead to you falling and getting seriously hurt in the process. The process of seeking civil recovery from the landowner can be far more challenging than you might expect, especially if you are unfamiliar with how the state of Washington handles these types of incidents.
A Redmond slip and fall lawyer’s guidance could be crucial to proving that a specific person is at fault for your injury and doing so within the strict filing deadlines set by state law. When you want the best possible outcome from your slip and fall claim, consider seeking help from a skilled personal injury attorney with Narwal Injury Law. With the right legal support, a successful outcome is within reach.
In Washington, the “duty of care” that property owners owe to others on their premises—referring to the actions required to prevent accidental injuries on their land—varies based on the reason someone is present. Landowners must warn lawful visitors about known hazards and must either repair or limit access to those hazards in a reasonable timeframe after becoming aware of them.
However, if a lawful visitor is on privately owned property to benefit the landowner financially, the landowner has an additional duty to inspect the property regularly for hazards they have yet to discover. As a Redmond slip and fall attorney could explain, it is sometimes possible to sue people like retail store owners for falling injuries even if the owner did not directly know that the hazard that caused that injury existed.
Proving that a landowner knew about or should have known about a slipping and tripping hazard can require extensive evidence from multiple sources. This can include testimony from witnesses to the accident and doctors who treated the resulting injuries. However, injured parties do not have unlimited time to collect and present that evidence due to the “statute of limitations.”
Under the Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080, most people who are injured by another person’s negligence have a maximum of three years to file suit against that individual formally. Otherwise, they will be “time-barred” from ever getting civil compensation for that particular injury.
Even shorter effective deadlines may apply to claims against government bodies over accidents on government-owned property. Because of this, getting help from a slip and fall lawyer in Redmond with experience handling cases of that nature can be key to achieving a successful result in court.
Slipping and tripping accidents can lead to serious injuries for individuals of any age and physical condition, particularly affecting young children and elderly adults. Unfortunately, this fact does not suggest that Washington state law or the courts enforcing it will treat you leniently if you decide to sue a landowner for failing to prevent an accident.
Getting the restitution you deserve after a serious fall will almost certainly require the help of a seasoned Redmond slip and fall lawyer who knows how to fight effectively on your behalf. Reach out to Narwal Injury Law today to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your options.