Premises Liability
We are often asked, “what does premise liability mean?” Premise liability is a legal term that describes accident injury cases where individuals are injured on someone else’s property. A “slip and fall” accident is a well-known example of injury where an individual may have a premise liability claim. Business and property owners have a responsibility to create safe environments for customers and their visitors. If the owner or occupier of the property knew about a dangerous condition or activity and failed to take reasonable steps to protect the public from said conditions, you may be able to file a lawsuit for your personal injury. If you believe you or someone you know has suffered an injury due to the negligence of a business or property owner, you should contact one of our personal injury attorneys today.
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What are some of the types of premise liability claims your attorneys work on?
Premise liability claims can arise from multiple situations. Some of the most common premise liability claims our attorneys work on are:
- Unsafe business operations – At times, a customer may suffer an injury while on the grounds of a business where warnings were insufficient to keep the people safe.
- Construction site injuries – General contractors have an obligation to maintain a safe worksite. When this does not happen, and a worker is injured as a result, they main have a claim.
- Slip and falls – These types of accidents often occur when an individual falls and sustains an injury due to wet or slippery floors due to water or mold, inadequate lighting, uneven or broken sidewalks, damaged carpeting, broken stairs or faulty handrails.
- Falling objects – Many individuals suffer a personal injury due to poorly stacked merchandise. Materials, tools, or equipment falling from a construction site that causes injury, would also fall into this category.
- Accidents – Individuals who are injured due to an accident on the property of a business may be entitled to compensation. For example, Personal injury attorney, James Beck, has represented multiple individuals who suffered catastrophic injuries resulting in paralysis while on a ski resort property.
Who can be held liable for my injury?
Our personal injury attorneys in Tacoma and Seattle work diligently to hold everyone who is responsible for your injury accountable. Each case varies, but depending on the circumstances of your injury, more than one party may be held liable. This could range from:
- The owners of the property.
- The owner or owners of the business.
- The tenant who is responsible for the property.
Is there a time limit on how long I can pursue a lawsuit?
A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum period for filing a lawsuit. The time frame can vary depending on the type of case or claim.
In the state of Washington, you generally have three years from the date of your personal injury to file a negligence claim. However, contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible is the best decision, as evidence may be lost or destroyed, and witnesses may become challenging to find. By contacting one of our personal injury attorneys quickly, we can help preserve evidence and witness testimony that builds a strong case on your behalf.
