Practice Areas

Slips & Falls

Washington States Lawyers for Slip and Fall Accidents

When you attend your neighbor’s party or shop at a strip mall, you have the right to know of any known risks or potential hazards about a property that aren’t obvious. Slip and fall injuries (also known as trip and fall) are generally caused by a hazard that’s not immediately noticeable.

Some common trip and fall hazards include:

Loose or uneven flooring
Torn carpeting or abrupt floor changes
Icy or snow covered walkways and parking lots
Broken or uneven sidewalks, streets, and potholes
Inadequate lighting
Spills, debris, or other obstacles on floors
Missing handrails and other building code violations

These accidents can occur anywhere, and your injuries can affect your life for months or even years to come. They are also much more common than you may realize:

Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized from slip and fall injuries
One out of five falls causes a serious injury, such as broken bones
Nearly 33% of all non-fatal injuries are caused by falls

The property owner is responsible for taking reasonable actions to make their property more safe. This is known as premises liability. Not knowing about a hazardous condition is not a defense, because the property owner should be aware of the ongoings on their property.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury

Here are the four crucial steps you should follow after a slip and fall:

If you or a loved one is injured, seek medical attention immediately. You or your loved one’s health and safety should be your main priority. Going to your doctor or to a hospital also helps you get the proper documentation for your injuries. If you decide to seek compensation for your slip and fall later on, these records will be very helpful.
Report your slip and fall to the property owner, or someone who is in close contact with the property owner. This can be a landlord, a restaurant manager, or the homeowner, for example. Get the report in writing and request a copy.
Collect as much information as you can, including:
- The location, time, and date of your injury
- All relevant details relating to your slip and fall
- Names and contact information of any witnesses
- Photos of the exact location where you fell and any hazards that were attributed to your fall (e.g. a wet floor, uneven stairs, etc.)
Contact an attorney to determine legal action. Hiring lawyers for slip and fall accidents will be your best chance of receiving just compensation. Do not give a statement beforehand, and don’t post any details related to your slip and fall on social media.