Seattle Premises Liability Lawyer

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors' safety. If they fail to correct or warn you about known hazards, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries or wrongful deaths.

If you suffered an injury on someone else’s property in Seattle due to unsafe conditions, you may be able to file a premises liability claim to compensate you for your damages.

The premises liability attorneys at Moseley Collins Law have over 40 years of experience representing injury victims like you. We have recovered hefty settlements for clients by holding property owners accountable for their negligence. We can review your case for free and help you understand your legal options.

Washington follows a traditional premises liability law, which imposes different duties on property owners depending on the injured person's status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.

Invitees are visitors who enter a property at the invitation of the owner for a business or commercial purpose. This category includes customers in stores, guests in hotels, and clients in offices. Under Washington law, property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care. They must inspect for hazards and maintain safe conditions.

Licensees are those who come onto a property for their own benefit with the owner's permission. Examples include social guests in someone's home. Under Washington law, property owners must warn licensees about dangerous conditions that the owner knows about or should have known about. They are also legally responsible for taking reasonable care to keep their property safe for their guests. When owners fail to do so they may be liable for any injuries the guest suffers as a result.

Trespassers enter a property without permission. Under Washington law, property owners only have to avoid willfully or wantonly injuring trespassers. Owners do not have a duty of care to trespassers.

These classifications determine the applicable duty of care for property owners. Meeting the legal standards requires considering factors such as the nature of the defect, its visibility, the frequency of inspections conducted, any prior incidents, and the feasibility of repairs or warnings. An experienced premises liability attorney can advise you on the nuances.

Our Seattle premises liability lawyers have successfully represented clients for over 40 years. Common premises liability claims include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents due to wet floors, clutter, and uneven surfaces
• Inadequate security leading to assault, theft, and harassment
• Poor lighting, causing tripping hazards
• Accumulation of ice and snow without salting or shoveling
• Broken stairs, railings, elevators, and escalators
• Uncovered holes, loose carpeting, and debris
• Falling merchandise and shelves
• Swimming pool injuries resulting from dangerous dives and lack of lifeguards
• Dog bites when the owner knows the dog is dangerous
• Exposure to toxic materials like asbestos, lead paint, and mold
• Criminal activity due to negligent security

Many other dangerous conditions can cause serious injuries when property owners fail to meet their legal obligations.

While specific evidence varies in each case, premises liability claims generally require proving:

• The property owner owed a duty of care to maintain safe premises. This duty stems from their relationship.
• The property owner breached their duty through unreasonable conduct, such as failing to repair or warn of a known hazard.
• The breach of duty directly caused the victim’s injuries or damages.
• The victim suffered quantifiable losses from medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.

At Mosely Collins Law, we collect the necessary documents, photographs, witness statements, and expert opinions to prove these elements. Our attorneys have the strategic legal skills to build an effective case. Our attorneys are intimately familiar with Washington state’s premises liability laws, so we can build the strongest case for you.

Compensation available to premises liability victims mirrors damages in the other personal injury cases we have experience with. This includes recovery for:

• Past and future medical treatment
• Rehabilitation and assistive devices
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
• Permanent disabilities or disfigurement
• Lower quality of life
• Any other quantifiable losses caused by the accident

Under Washington law, seeking punitive damages is generally not allowed for premises liability cases. Unlike many other states, Washington does not cap non-economic damages. This allows our liability lawyers to maximize your compensation.

Our premises liability settlements for economic and non-economic damages combined may often amount to hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Our experienced attorneys always seek full and fair compensation.

Washington state follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that a victim who was partially at fault for their premises liability accident may still recover damages. However, the award will be reduced by their percentage of fault. It is not an all-or-nothing system as in some other states.

Our skilled team knows the winning strategies to build a strong liability case against the property owner who was responsible for your injury. We will tirelessly advocate for your rights.

Premises liability claims in Washington must adhere to strict statutes of limitations that limit the deadline you have for filing a suit:

• Within three years of the incident for standard personal injury claims
• Within three years of the incident for wrongful death claims
• Within three years for claims against government entities, but with a 60-day waiting period for filing

Be aware that the clock starts running on the date of the accident or injury, not when the hazard is discovered. Meeting this deadline is essential, so do not delay in consulting our Seattle premises liability lawyer after any serious accident.

The premises liability attorneys at Moseley Collins Law have the resources and expertise to stand up to insurance companies and maximize compensation for victims. When we take your case, you get:

• Over 40 years of combined personal injury experience
• No fees unless we win your money damages
• In-house engineers and investigators to prove liability
• Access to respected expert witnesses
• A commitment to compassionate client communication
• The ability to handle litigation costs

At Moseley Collins Law, we know Washington state premises liability law inside and out. Our team will thoroughly investigate the accident, build a compelling claim, negotiate aggressively, and take your case to trial if necessary.

Contact us today for a free consultation and case assessment. Get experienced legal representation to demand justice after your premises liability injury.

Can I Sue a Property Owner if I Was Partly at Fault for My Injury?Yes, Washington state follows a pure comparative fault rule. You can still recover damages, but they will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, an experienced attorney can help show that the owner's negligence outweighed your own.

Our attorneys can perform title searches and use other investigation techniques to identify the proper owner to name the defendant responsible for your accident.

First, you should get medical help immediately. But avoid giving statements or negotiating with the owner's insurance company on your own. What you say can be used against you. Always consult with a premises liability attorney before taking any legal action.

Businesses are legally required to regularly inspect for and warn customers of dangers. You may have a solid claim if the hazard was concealed or hard to notice.

No. You are entitled to recover full compensation for your damages regardless of any insurance payments. We will seek damages above and beyond what insurance covers.

Suffering a serious injury on someone else's dangerous property can profoundly impact your life. An experienced Seattle premises liability lawyer can help.

Contact Moseley Collins Law for a free review of your premises liability case and to discuss your legal options.