(360) 718-3640
Personal Injury Lawyer
Vancouver & Southwest Washington

Call Attorney Colin Scott After A Slip and Fall Accident

The Scott Law Firm, PLLC in Vancouver, WA helps injured plaintiffs recover the compensation they deserve

Slip and fall accidents are very common and can result in serious injuries. These accidents often could have been prevented if property owners or businesses took steps to keep their premises safe. Vancouver, WA personal injury attorney Colin Scott of The Scott Law Firm, PLLC fights to hold negligent parties accountable and help injury victims recover financial compensation.

Many serious injuries occur from slipping or tripping on surfaces that are not properly maintained. For example, you may have been injured at someone else's home or in a commercial setting such as an office, hotel or supermarket. A slip and fall injury could occur because of:

Personal injury cases that deal with slip and fall injuries are generally referred to as "premises liability" cases because the injury occurred on premises that are owned and maintained by someone else. Establishing liability can be challenging, and premises owners often deny responsibility. That's why it's important to consult a slip and fall attorney who knows how to get results.

Depending on the circumstances, a slip and fall accident can cause a wide range of injuries. These injuries, which are often orthopedic in nature, may require surgical intervention, hospitalization, and physical therapy. Medical bills can add up fast. And if an injury leaves you unable to work, you may not receive a paycheck for many months.

Driven to get results

Colin Scott knows how to investigate slip and falls to find out what really happened. He takes quick action to preserve evidence (such as photographs and surveillance footage), obtain and review all available insurance policies, and identify witnesses to the accident. Colin knows how to build a strong case that can prove what happened was the result of a property or business owner's negligence.

Colin can also estimate the total amount of damages you suffered-both economic and non-economic. For example, you may be able to recover compensation for past and future medical expenses related to your injuries as well as lost wages. You may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering and other damages.

When insurance companies are confronted with strong case, they often agree to settlement negotiations. But Colin is not interested in lowball settlement offers to make some quick money. He can also fight for you in court to obtain a negotiated settlement, mediation award, arbitration award, or a jury verdict.

As with most legal claims, you have a limited amount of time in which to settle your claim or file a lawsuit to preserve your ability to seek compensation for your injuries. The sooner we can get started on your case, the better. It's important to take steps to preserve evidence that can be lost or destroyed. Hiring an attorney to represent you also prevents others from contacting you to discuss the claim (such as insurance companies who are defending the claim).

If you were injured during a slip and fall accident on someone else's property, learn more about how we can help. Contact us online or call 360-718-3640 to speak with a premises liability attorney and receive a free consultation. Colin can meet with you personally and review the details of your accident. He can also answer your questions and discuss your legal options moving forward.

Wet and Slippery Floors

A common cause of slip and fall accidents is wet floors. Floors can easily become wet and slippery at a place of business. A restaurant patron can spill a drink. A leaky roof can drip water onto the floor. Jars filled with liquid can fall off a store shelf and break. Condensation from a refrigerator or freezer can leak onto the floor. Or an employee may have just mopped or waxed the floor.

Property owners are responsible for making sure that floors are maintained so they are reasonably safe for customers. If there is a wet floor, they have a duty to clean it promptly or warn customers about the hazard. Failing to meet these responsibilities can result in serious injury if someone slips and falls.

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Cluttered Walkways
Another hazard that can result in a slip and fall accident is clutter. Products may fall from store shelves or displays onto the floor. Employees of stores or restaurants may leave tools or other equipment on the floor while doing their job. Or a customer or employee may drop something without realizing it.

The result is a hazard that can cause someone to slip or trip, leading to a fall that results in serious injuries. It is the responsibility of property owners to keep floors reasonably safe for their customers. If there is an object on the floor that poses a hazard, it should be removed promptly. Or, customers need to be warned about the hazard.

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Parking Lot Injuries

Parking lots and garages can be found at stores and restaurants, hospitals and hotels, airports and stadiums. These lots and garages can pose hazards for people walking to or from their vehicles if the owner of the property was negligent. When the owner of a parking lot is negligent, the result can be a painful slip and fall injury.

Property owners have a responsibility to make sure their premises are maintained so they are reasonably safe for customers. They need to perform regular inspections and maintenance. Ice, debris, blind spots, improper markings, poor traffic flow and inadequate lighting are all examples of conditions that can lead to a slip and fall accident.

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Poor Lighting

Property owners must ensure that their premises are safe. This responsibility can include providing adequate lighting so people can see where they are going. If there is an issue with lighting, property owners must take steps to fix it as soon as possible. Inadequate lighting can cause a slip and fall accident that leaves someone injured.

When there is inadequate lighting, a customer or visitor may not notice spilled liquid or clutter on a walkway. Poor lighting can also mask other hazards, such as a torn carpet, loose cords or uneven flooring. A customer or visitor can also be seriously injured if poor lighting in a stairwell gives them trouble with their footing.

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Stores and Restaurants

There are many stores and restaurants throughout Clark County. Like all businesses, they have a responsibility to keep their premises safe for customers. This responsibility includes regularly inspecting and cleaning the premises, and making needed repairs within a reasonable amount of time. When they fail to meet these responsibilities, people can be seriously hurt in a slip and fall accident.

Many factors can cause this type of accident. These include overcrowded aisles, wet floors, spilled food or liquid, cluttered walkways, loose tiles, damaged carpet, uneven stairs, poorly maintained guardrails, etc. Business owners must be aware of any potential hazards and take reasonable action to address them.

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Apartments and Residences

These injuries don't only happen at businesses. They can also occur at apartments and in other rented spaces, such as leased office space. And those property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe and free from hazards. It also includes performing required maintenance and necessary repairs.

Slip and fall accidents can occur due to loose handrails, damaged floors or carpets, damaged steps or porches, leaky plumbing or poorly maintained walkways. A property owner may be held accountable under these circumstances if he or she was made aware of the problem and failed to take steps to address it.

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