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While tripping and falling is a fairly common event, in more severe cases it can have a dramatic impact on your physical well-being, emotional health, and ability to earn an income. Even something as simple as a failure to clean up a spill could result in catastrophic injuries that affect both your present and future.
Even when a fall occurs on another’s property, that is not definitive proof in itself that the property owner is to blame. People seeking compensation following this kind of accident must show that they had permission to be on the land and that the owner failed to provide adequate protection. Talking with an Auburn slip and fall lawyer could help you prove fault in your case and pursue the compensation that you are owed. Call now to speak with one of our committed personal injury attorneys.
Understanding the Rights of Visitors on Property
Washington state law declares that property owners must provide fair protection to those who enter their land. However, the specific extent of this care depends on whether the visitor had permission to be on the property and their motivations for being there. As a result, state law separates visitors into three groups:
Trespassers
Those who enter or stay on another person’s land without the owner’s permission are trespassing according to state law. The only situations where these people can collect compensation is when they can prove that an owner caused a fall through wantonly or intentionally creating a hazard.
Licensees
Individuals who have permission to enter the land and do so for their own benefit are considered licensees. These are usually people who enter otherwise private property with an invitation. In this situation, the owner must warn the guest about known dangers and take steps to inspect their property for harmful hazards.
Invitees
People who enter land with the permission of the owner and for the owner’s benefit are invitees. These kinds of premises are usually places that are looking to make a profit but could also include churches and museums. The owners of this property must take all ordinary and reasonable care to protect a guest from harm.
Consulting with an Auburn slip and fall attorney could help the victims of falling accidents better understand their rights under state law.
Seeking Full Compensation After a Trip and Fall
Trip and falls can result in surprisingly serious injuries. Even a quick fall to the ground can result in broken bones, separated joints, and concussions. A landowner whose negligence allows these incidents to occur must provide compensation for all necessary medical care to treat these conditions. A slip and fall lawyer in Auburn could work to obtain the evidence required to prove fault in these cases. This can include:
- Maintenance reports
- Security camera footage
- Photos from the scene
- Weather reports
- Witness statements
A determined legal professional could work quickly to obtain this evidence with the state’s statute of limitations in mind. The Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080 gives most people three years from the date of a fall to seek compensation for their losses.
As harsh as physical injuries may be, they are far from the only potential losses a person involved in an accident may experience. Physical harm often results in substantial pain that significantly lowers a person’s quality of life. The event may also trigger emotional damage that makes a person hesitate to visit similar locations in the future. These mental health concerns are just as legitimate as physical injuries in seeking financial reimbursement. A seasoned slip and fall attorney aims to fully understand how the incident has impacted a person’s life and could demand that negligent landowners provide full payments for all the damage suffered.
Contact an Auburn Slip and Fall Attorney Today
Property owners have an obligation to keep their guests safe from harm. This includes accidental hazards that may develop from natural sources or the negligence of others. If you fell while visiting another party’s home or business and suffered a physical injury, an Auburn slip and fall lawyer could help to set things right.
Our team of knowledgeable attorneys could explain your rights under the law and evaluate the requirement that a landowner had to keep you safe. They may then gather information about the incident and your losses to appeal to careless property owners, or their insurance companies, to pay out the monetary damages that you deserve. Reach out today to schedule your consultation.
