Seattle Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers

Fighting For Your Right To a Fair Recovery in Washington

People get hurt in slip-and-fall accidents all the time. Sometimes, these accidents are just that—accidents that are no one’s fault. Other times, however, someone else’s negligence makes falls more likely to happen. When that occurs, victims can hold the at-fault party accountable for their damages.

At Carpenter & Zuckerman, our Seattle slip-and-fall injury attorneys know that liability is not always easy to establish in fall injury claims. We also know that, when liability is clear, negligent property owners and other parties rarely want to pay. That is why we are here to help you fight for your entitled compensation.

Call (425) 585-4009 or contact us online today to request a free consultation to learn how our slip and fall accident attorney in Seattle can help you.

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

A slip-and-fall accident, also known as a trip-and-fall accident, is an incident where a person loses their balance and falls due to various hazards or dangerous conditions present on a walking surface. These accidents commonly occur in both indoor and outdoor environments and can lead to injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or head trauma.

Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include:

• Wet or slippery floors: Spills, recently mopped or waxed surfaces, or wet weather conditions can create slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of slipping and falling.
• Uneven surfaces: Cracked sidewalks, potholes, loose tiles, or uneven flooring can catch someone's foot, causing them to trip and fall.
• Loose rugs or mats: Loose rugs, mats, or carpets without proper traction or secure placement can easily slide or bunch up, posing a tripping hazard.
• Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting in walkways or stairwells can obscure hazards, making it difficult for individuals to see where they are walking and increasing the risk of falls.
• Cluttered walkways: Objects or debris left in pathways can obstruct walking surfaces and increase the likelihood of tripping and falling.
• Weather conditions: Ice, snow, rain, or leaf accumulation can make outdoor surfaces slippery, contributing to slip-and-fall accidents.
• Failure to provide warning signs: Failure to warn individuals about potential hazards such as wet floors or recently cleaned surfaces can lead to slip-and-fall accidents.
• Loose or missing handrails: The absence of handrails or poorly maintained handrails on stairs or ramps can make it challenging for individuals to maintain balance, resulting in falls.
• Construction or maintenance defects: Defects in construction or maintenance, such as loose floorboards, broken steps, or cracked pavement, can create hazardous conditions that contribute to slip-and-fall accidents.

Common Slip & Fall Injuries

Every year, numerous individuals in Seattle suffer various injuries from slip-and-fall accidents. These incidents can lead to a range of injuries, many of which require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, are particularly concerning because they can have lasting effects on cognitive and physical abilities. Fractures, especially hip and wrist fractures, are also common and can result in limited mobility and prolonged recovery times.

Nerve damage and muscle injuries are additional concerns, often resulting from falls onto hard surfaces or awkward landings. Such injuries may cause chronic pain and necessitate surgery or long-term therapy. Spinal cord injuries, though less frequent, are severe, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis. Understanding the potential impact of these injuries underscores the importance of addressing slip-and-fall risks effectively. Victims of such accidents should seek immediate medical attention to mitigate longer-term health consequences and potentially strengthen subsequent legal claims.

Who Is Liable for a Slip & Fall Accident?

Liability for a slip-and-fall accident will depend on the specific circumstances involved. In some cases, the property owner will be responsible for paying for the victim’s damages. In others, someone else will be liable. In still others, there may be more than one party responsible.

Some of the most common parties that can be held liable for slip-and-fall accidents include:

• Property Owners: When you slip and fall on someone else’s property, the property owner may be liable for your damages. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe and free from hazards, and they must take steps to fix known hazards in a reasonable amount of time. If a property owner fails to fulfill this duty, and this failure causes you to slip and fall, you can likely hold them accountable for your damages.
• Property Managers: If a property manager is responsible for maintaining a premises, they may be held liable for any slip and fall accidents that occur due to their negligence.
• Employers: Employers must keep their employees reasonably safe from harm while on the job. If you slip and fall at work due to a hazardous condition, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim to recover benefits for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages.
• Contractors: If a contractor is hired to work on a property, they may be held liable for any slip and fall accidents that occur due to their negligence.
• Government Entities: If you slip and fall on government-owned property, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the government entity responsible for maintaining the premises. However, suing the government is a complex process, and there are strict deadlines that must be met. If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident on government property, you should reach out to an attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your rights and options.

In some cases, more than one party may be liable for a slip-and-fall accident. For example, if a contractor is hired to fix a broken step in a staircase and fails to do so, both the contractor and the property owner may be responsible for any slip and fall accidents that occur as a result.