Defective property conditions pose a threat to everyone who enters the property. Owners have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe so as not to cause harm to others. Should someone suffer an injury on another party’s property that was caused by the owner’s negligence, Washington and Oregon premises liability laws provide that the victim can sue the owner for damages.
Types of Defective Property Conditions
The attorneys at our firm have been helping injured victims file premises liability claims and other personal injury claims for more than 20 years. When we take a new case, one of our first objectives is to identify the hazard or the condition that caused the victim’s injury.
Below are a few examples of defective property conditions that are cited as the cause of harm on premises liability claims.
- Slippery floors with no signage (snow and rain getting tracked in by customers, spills that aren’t cleaned up, mopped or waxed floors with no caution sign, etc.)
- Loose carpet or rugs with no grips
- Defective staircases or railings
- Uneven floors, loose floorboards or defective thresholds
- Poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, etc.
- Improperly stacked or strewn-about merchandise
- Cracked sidewalks
- Keeping a dangerous dog unchained
Premises Liability Accidents Cause Serious Injuries
Defective property conditions can cause a number of accidents. Slip and fall accidents, dog attacks, getting struck by falling objects and assaults are some of the most common types of incidences. These types of accidents can cause severe or fatal harm. We have helped victims (or their families) obtain sizable settlements after they’ve sustained severe injuries such as those listed below.
- Open and closed head injuries
- Multiple fractures and shattered bones
- Back injuries, tailbone fractures, and spinal cord trauma
- Damage to internal organs, muscles, and soft tissues
- Facial injuries and scarring, dental injuries, and injuries to eyes and ears
Holding the Property Owner Responsible
If you or your loved one were hurt on another person’s property, at a place of business or on public grounds, you might be able to hold the owner liable for your injuries by filing a premises liability claim. There are several elements that must be present in order to win the claim.
- You must be able to show that the owner owed you a duty of care. If you were trespassing, for instance, the owner owes you no legal duty of care. However, if you were invited or were a customer, then the owner does owe you a duty of care, and you can easily satisfy this element.
- You must be able to show that the owner was negligent, i.e., the owner knew or should have known about the defective condition and failed to take care of it.
- You must show that the hazardous condition was the direct cause of your injuries.
- Your damages must be actual and verifiable with evidence such as medical records, bills, expert witness testimonies, etc.
Speaking to a Lawyer about a Premises Liability Claim
If you or your loved one were injured on someone else’s property, we encourage you to call our team at Willis & Toews. We can assist with any premises liability claim in Washington or Oregon and have a sincere passion for standing up for injured victims’ rights. Contact us today at 509-529-0908 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can review your case, calculate the value of your claim and help you take legal action so that you can obtain the settlement you need and deserve.
