Seattle Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
A slip or fall may not seem like a big deal. But slip-and-fall accidents often result in severe injuries and are a leading cause of death in the United States. Slip-and-fall accidents can leave victims with hefty medical bills and lost wages. Often, these accidents are due to the negligence of property owners.
If you suffered an injury due to dangerous property conditions in Washington state, an experienced Seattle slip-and-fall lawyer at Moseley Collins Law can help you recover full and fair compensation.
Our attorneys take slip-and-fall accidents seriously. We have helped numerous accident victims move forward with their lives after injuries. Our legal team has the skills to prove liability, guide you through the claims process, and maximize your settlement after a slip-and-fall accident due to a property owner’s negligence. We get results for injury victims like you.
Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall AccidentsA slip-and-fall attorney knows the property conditions and locations that consistently cause these accidents. Many are due to:
Slick Surfaces- Kitchen spills, water leaks, snow or ice buildup, and grease on floors
- Areas prone to becoming wet, such as poolsides
- Smooth flooring lacking traction
- Dim lighting, shadows, and glare - obstructing the view of tripping dangers
- Difficult-to-distinguish transitions between surfaces
- Items left in halls or aisles, forcing pedestrians to walk around them
- Cracks, uneven surfaces, and curled carpeting or mats
- Lack of secured handrails on stairs, ramps, and porches
- Absence of grab bars, appliqués, and bench seats in bathrooms
- Aisle displays and signage drawing attention from walking paths
- Rushed pedestrians focused on tasks instead of watching their footing
A knowledgeable slip-and-fall attorney can demonstrate that property owners failed to take reasonable steps to correct the known hazards that caused your accident.
Serious Injuries Suffered in Slip-and-Fall AccidentsSlip-and-fall injuries are not just minor bumps and bruises. These accidents can cause major injuries and even death. The injuries we see include:
Broken Bones- Hips
- Wrists
- Arms and shoulders
- Legs and ankles
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Fractured vertebrae
- Pinched nerves
- Chronic pain
- Concussions
- Memory loss
- Cognitive impairment
- Joints pushed beyond the normal range
- Severe instability
- Dislocations
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Lacerations needing stitches
- Deep tissue bruising
- Long-lasting soreness
Slip-and-fall accidents greatly impact your finances, abilities, independence, relationships, and lifestyle.
How a Seattle Premises Liability Lawyer Helps After a Slip and FallAfter a slip-and-fall accident, you should never seek compensation on your own from the negligent property owner's insurance company. Adjusters are experts at denying or minimizing claims.
With our legal team on your side, you can level the playing field. Our experienced attorneys know all the insurers' tricks. We have the legal resources to prove your case and get the full compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will:
Perform Comprehensive InvestigationsUnder Washington state law, property owners are potentially liable for any dangerous conditions they knew or should have known about but didn't take reasonable steps to correct. Crucial to winning slip-and-fall cases is gathering solid evidence that the hazardous property conditions directly caused your accident and injuries. Our slip-and-fall lawyers will:
- Thoroughly photograph or videotape the accident scene from all angles
- Take precise measurements of any defects
- Get weather reports, flooring specs, and other vital documentation
- Identify and extensively interview all possible eyewitnesses
- Review medical records and reports with physicians
- Research prior incidents or complaints about the area
Our diligent evidence-gathering strengthens your case and identifies all liable parties. We leave no stone unturned.
Establish Clear LiabilityWashington's premises liability laws require landowners to maintain reasonably safe properties. But insurers fight hard to shift the blame for slips and falls to the victims through arguments such as:
- You should have seen the warning signs.
- Your own carelessness or improper footwear caused your fall.
- The hazard was a fluke we couldn't have foreseen.
A slip-and-fall accident lawyer will counter these defenses using their investigation findings to prove the property's hazardous conditions - not the victim's fault - directly caused the accident injuries.
Handle All Paperwork BurdensComplex legal forms, case documents, communications, and negotiations pile up quickly. An experienced slip-and-fall injury lawyer handles everything to keep your claim organized and progressing.
Negotiate Optimal SettlementsInsurers make lowball offers, hoping injured people will take their quick settlements out of desperation. Our attorneys will negotiate based on case law and jury verdicts to demand full and fair compensation for you. We aren't afraid to take your case to court if a fair settlement can't be reached.
With our legal guidance, you can focus on healing while we build your case, deal with insurers, and fight for your maximum damages.
Maximum Compensation Categories in Slip-and-Fall ClaimsProperty owners are obligated to fully compensate slip-and-fall victims for all the losses their negligence caused. Our experienced attorneys will prove that negligence caused your slip-and-fall injuries. We'll seek the maximum compensation for:
Medical Costs
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries and procedures
- Imaging tests
- Medications
- Assistive devices
- Therapy
- Future care needs
- Emergency treatment
- X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Medical equipment such as wheelchairs and braces
- In-home healthcare assistance
Lost Income
- Missed work time
- Reduced hours
- Lower earnings due to lasting disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Reduced promotions and bonuses
- Lost professional opportunities
Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional trauma such as fear, anxiety, and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and associated embarrassment
Wrongful Death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship for survivors
- Loss of financial support
Experienced slip-and-fall lawyers ensure you receive full compensation for all quantifiable economic losses plus the harder-to-measure non-economic damages such as your pain and suffering. Our goal is to get you the maximum compensation available.
Premises Liability Laws Demand Safe PropertiesEvery slip-and-fall case is informed by the legal principle that property owners must maintain their properties in reasonably safe conditions. Washington's premises liability laws require owners to exercise reasonable care, including:
- Correcting known hazards
- Regularly inspecting for developing dangers
- Providing adequate warnings of unavoidable risks
- Following applicable building codes and ordinances
- Anticipating foreseeable harm from dangerous conditions
- Acting promptly when incidents occur to prevent recurrences
When a property owner fails to fulfill their duty of care and a slip-and-fall accident occurs, the owner's negligence is the basis of their liability for your injury.
Statute of Limitations Deadlines for Slip-and-Fall ClaimsIn Seattle, slip-and-fall injury victims have three years from their accident date to file a premises liability lawsuit to seek compensation. It's critical to contact a lawyer promptly so your claim is handled strategically while the evidence is still fresh. If you miss the deadline, you likely forfeit your legal rights to make a claim.
Why Retaining a Lawyer is CriticalVictims who try to handle slip-and-fall cases alone often walk away with minimal compensation or get their claims denied. You need an experienced lawyer to take on the insurers. At Moseley Collins Law, our attorneys provide:
Legal Expertise
- We know how to prove liability under premises laws.
- We skillfully negotiate higher settlements.
Claims Process Experience
- We handle large caseloads and complex legal procedures.
- We know what details insurers focus on.
Objectivity
- We argue cases based on legal merits.
- We know emotions can derail victims from representing themselves.
Resources
- We have the contacts to get investigators, experts, and records.
- We know individuals lack access to these services.
Motivation
- Our income depends on maximizing your compensation.
- We can handle insurers who want to minimize what they pay out.
With Moseley Collins Law, you can be confident you have a experienced lawyers advocating for your full financial recovery. Don't go it alone against the insurers.
Overcoming Insurer Arguments Against LiabilityProperty owners and insurers rarely admit fault after a slip-and-fall accident. They often try to shift blame to the victim through arguments our lawyers have heard before and know how to overcome:
- Open and obvious dangers. If hazards such as a wet floor are obvious, the owner expects people to see and avoid them. But if an elderly tenant needs to shower despite an unsafe tub, liability may still apply.
- Unforeseeable circumstances. Owners assume falls are one-off events they couldn't predict. We prove they did not address longstanding risks or should have foreseen dangers under those specific circumstances.
- Failure to heed warnings. If there are signs warning of the hazard, the owner claims they did their duty. We argue the warnings were inadequate or the dangers were unreasonable despite the warnings.
- Previous safe passage. If you had walked safely over the area before, the owner assumes the premises were reasonably safe. Our lawyers demonstrate conditions likely changed or your attention was diverted when you fell.
- Comparative negligence. Seeking to reduce payouts, insurers argue victims were partially at fault for wearing improper footwear. We fight these accusations and focus on the property's dangerous conditions.
Skilled slip-and-fall attorneys anticipate these defenses by developing counter-arguments rooted in provable facts. We build a water-tight liability case so insurers have no choice but to make a fair settlement offer.
Maximizing the Value of Slip-and-Fall CasesSimply proving the owner's liability does not guarantee sufficient compensation. Skilled lawyers also know how to maximize the value of your case, by:
- Showing impact on life. We highlight how the injuries have affected your finances, abilities, independence, relationships, and lifestyle. Jurors relate best to real human stories.
- Using visual aids. We present photographs, diagrams, animations, and other visuals to juries to vividly convey unsafe conditions, injury mechanics, and your suffering.
- Calling expert witnesses. Testimony from doctors, vocational experts, and safety engineers carries more weight than just our statements.
- Outlining future needs. We ensure settlement negotiations account for any continuing treatment, home modifications, equipment, and care you'll need due to your disability.
- Discussing pain extensively. We ensure adjusters understand how constant and severe your migraine headaches or nerve pain has been, all due to the insured owner's negligence.
- Citing jury verdicts. We refer to jury awards granting victims with similar injuries higher damages than your insurer is offering.
Our comprehensive approach to presenting slip-and-fall cases maximizes your potential settlement or court award amounts. Our goal is full compensation for your losses.
Why Choose Moseley Collins Law for Your Slip-and-Fall Case?If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Seattle slip-and-fall accident, the award-winning attorneys at Moseley Collins Law possess the resources and tenacity to fight for the justice you deserve. What sets us apart?
- High success rate. We have an exceptional track record of winning positive outcomes in premises liability claims.
- Decades of experience. Our seasoned slip-and-fall attorneys know how to secure evidence, prove liability, and maximize recoveries.
- Compassion for clients. We understand injuries strain your finances, work, family life, and emotions.
- Legal resources. Our firm has the resources to call on experts, investigators, and researchers to build winning cases.
- Contingency fees. You pay us nothing upfront or throughout your claim. We only collect if we secure compensation on your behalf from the settlement.
- Free consultations. We provide free case evaluations and help victims understand their rights and options.
Our slip-and-fall lawyers have the dedication, experience, and resources to handle your case effectively. Mosely Collins Law will fight to get you every cent you are legally entitled to.
Act Quickly to Protect Your RightsUnder Washington state's strict three-year deadline for filing premises liability lawsuits, it's imperative for you to contact an attorney right away. The earlier we're involved, the better. We'll solidify your case through:
- Evidence preservation. We immediately photograph premises and preserve key evidence before it degrades or disappears.
- Identifying liable parties. In complex properties with multiple owners, we determine who breached their duties to keep you safe.
- Establishing deadlines. We account for legal notice requirements and statutes of limitation.
- Prompt investigations. Eyewitness recollections fade quickly. We get statements right away.
- Favorable settlements. Insurers pay more because of our reputation for diligence.
- Avoiding gaps. We prevent insurers from exploiting any gaps if victims first try handling their cases alone.
To maximize your compensation, contact the stellar team at Moseley Collins Law as soon as possible after your slip-and-fall fall accident. We hold negligent property owners accountable for your serious injuries.
Put our Seattle slip-and-fall injury attorneys on your side. Call today for a free consultation.