If you were injured on someone else’s property in Snohomish County, you may recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The experienced Snohomish County premises liability attorneys at Walton Law can help you hold negligent property owners accountable and fight for the justice you deserve.
Snohomish County Premises Liability Guide
- Why Choose Walton Law for Your Premises Liability Case?
- Compensation in Premises Liability Cases
- Common Premises Liability Accidents in Snohomish County
- Proving Liability in a Premises Liability Case
- What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident
- Contact a Snohomish Premises Liability Attorney Today
Why Choose Walton Law for Your Premises Liability Case?
Walton Law APC is a top-rated personal injury and employment law firm with offices in Snohomish County.
Founding attorney Christopher C. Walton is an award-winning trial lawyer who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer every year since 2013.
At Walton Law APC, we have a proven track record of success in premises liability cases. Our skilled personal injury attorneys in Snohomish County have secured significant settlements and verdicts for clients injured in slip and fall accidents, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, and other incidents caused by dangerous property conditions.
We have the knowledge, resources, and tenacity to take on even the most complex cases and well-funded defendants.
Our Snohomish County office is conveniently located at 6100 219th Street SW #480 in Mountlake Terrace, just minutes from the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center and I-5. We also have an office in Bellingham to serve clients in the northern part of the county.
No matter where you live in Snohomish County, our team is ready to come to you for a free consultation in your home, hospital room, or wherever is most convenient.
Compensation in Premises Liability Cases
If you were injured on someone else’s property due to their negligence, you may recover damages for:
Medical expenses, both current and future- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)
The value of your case will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and the strength of the evidence against the property owner.
Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly assess your case to determine the full compensation you are owed and aggressively pursue the best possible outcome for you.
Common Premises Liability Accidents in Snohomish County
Premises liability accidents can happen anywhere, from grocery stores and restaurants to apartment complexes and private homes.
Some of the most common types of accidents we see in Snohomish County include:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered walkways
- Trip and fall accidents due to broken stairs, missing handrails, or inadequate lighting
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Swimming pool accidents and drownings
- Amusement park and playground accidents
- Assaults and injuries caused by inadequate security
- Accidents caused by falling merchandise or debris
No matter what type of accident you suffered, if it was caused by a property owner’s negligence, our attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Proving Liability in a Premises Liability Case
To win a premises liability case, you must prove that the property owner or occupier negligently maintained a safe environment for visitors. This typically involves showing:
Ownership, Lease, Occupation, or Control of the Property
The first element in a premises liability case is establishing that the defendant had a legal responsibility for the property where the accident occurred. This means proving that they owned, leased, occupied, or controlled the property at the time of the incident.
If the defendant is the property owner, this element is usually simple. However, in cases involving leased or rented properties, you need a lawyer who can determine whether the landlord or tenant needed to maintain the area where the accident happened.
In some cases, multiple parties may share liability, such as when a property owner hires a management company to handle maintenance and repairs.
Establishing ownership, lease, occupation, or control shows that the defendant had a legal duty to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. Without this element, a premises liability claim may fail.
Negligence in the Use or Maintenance of the Property
The second element in a premises liability case is proving that the defendant used or maintained the property negligently. Negligence means failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm to others.
In the context of premises liability, negligence can take many forms, such as:
- Failing to fix known hazards, like broken stairs or loose handrails
- Failing to perform regular property inspections and maintenance
- Failing to clean up spills or slippery substances in a timely manner
- Failing to provide adequate lighting or security measures
- Failing to warn visitors of hidden dangers, like a hole in the ground or a vicious dog
To prove negligence, we will gather evidence like maintenance records, inspection reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements to show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
Harm Suffered Because of the Defendant’s Negligence
The third element in a premises liability case is showing that you suffered actual harm because of the defendant’s negligent use or maintenance of the property. Harm can include physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses.
Physical injuries in premises liability claims can range from minor bruises and cuts to catastrophic injuries like brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and even wrongful death.
Emotional distress can include conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from the trauma of the accident. Financial losses may include medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.
To prove harm, your attorney will gather evidence like medical records, bills, pay stubs, and expert testimony to document your losses and connect them to the defendant’s negligence.
The Defendant’s Negligence as a Substantial Factor in Causing Harm
The fourth and final element in a premises liability case is showing that the defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing your harm. This makes your injuries a direct and foreseeable result of the dangerous conditions on the property.
In some cases, your lawyer will find a clear link between the defendant’s negligence and your injuries, such as when you slip and fall on a puddle of water that the property owner knew about but failed to clean up. In other cases, the connection may require expert testimony to establish causation.
You don’t have to prove that the defendant’s negligence was the only cause of your harm – just that it was a substantial factor. This means that even if you had a pre-existing condition that made you more susceptible to injury, you could still recover damages if the defendant’s negligence aggravated or exacerbated your condition.
Proving these elements can be challenging, especially when dealing with well-funded defendants and their insurance companies.
At Walton Law, we have the skills and resources to thoroughly investigate your accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. We work with respected experts in fields like engineering, safety, and medicine to demonstrate how the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries.
What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, taking the right steps after your accident can make a big difference in your case.
Here’s what you should do:
- Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the accident to the property owner or manager and ask for a copy of the incident report.
- Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions that contributed to your accident.
- Get contact information for any witnesses who saw what happened.
- Keep copies of all medical bills, incident reports, and other documentation related to your accident and injuries.
- Contact an experienced premises liability attorney as soon as possible for advice on your legal rights and options.
At Walton Law, we offer free consultations to help injured victims understand their rights and make informed decisions about their cases. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start building your case and fighting for your recovery.
Contact a Snohomish Premises Liability Attorney Today
Christopher C. Walton, Snohomish County Premises Liability Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else’s property in Snohomish County, we are here to help. Call us today for your free consultation with one of our skilled premises liability attorneys. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and discuss how we can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
Don’t wait – the sooner you call, the sooner we can start working on your case. Call (360) 543-1010 now to take the first step toward justice.
Walton Law, A.P.C. – Snohomish Office Location
6100 219th St SW #480
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone: (360) 543-1010