Seattle Premises Liability Attorney

Seattle Premises Liability Lawyers Fighting for Those Injured by Hazardous Conditions

Lehmbecker Law represents individuals who have suffered injuries while legally on the property of others. Often, injuries result in expensive medical bills and an inability to work, but our Seattle premises liability attorneys fight to get our clients the compensation they need to cover their medical bills, and other losses they have suffered.

To learn more about how we can help you get justice for your injuries, call our office today for a consultation.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

A valid premises liability claim may arise from a variety of situations. At Lehmbecker Law, we handle a broad range of the premises liability claim cases, including:

• Slip, Trip, and Fall Cases: Property owners must ensure their properties do not have slip and fall hazards, such as broken stair steps and slippery walkways. At the very least, they must adequately warn guests when such a hazard exists.
• Swimming Pool Accidents: Swimming pool accidents can occur at private residences, schools, municipal pools, and private clubs. If the pool owner fails to remedy or warn of fall accident, an injury or drowning may occur, and they may be held liable.
• Accidents Involving Snow and Ice: Many state and municipal laws require private and business owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and other parts of their property used by the public or invited guests.
• Dog Bites: If you are a guest on someone's property and their dog bites you, you can pursue a claim based on premises liability, even though some states like Washington allow you to specifically seek compensation following a dog bite.
• Fires: If a property owner's negligent actions lead to a fire and injuries occur, the injured parties may seek compensation for their losses. Unpermitted burns and faulty wiring are examples of negligence that can cause a fire.
• Amusement Park Accidents: Amusement parks must ensure that their business is safe for the public. This means adequately maintaining and properly operating their equipment, properly training employees, and ensuring that the food and products they offer are not dangerous.
• Negligent Security: Certain types of business owners must provide competent onsite security measures, especially in high-crime areas. For example, hotels, apartment buildings, and nightclubs may be required to have active security services to prevent violence against and among guests.
• Elevator and Escalator Accidents: With proper maintenance and care, elevators and escalators would rarely cause an accident. Unfortunately, some property owners fail to ensure that their elevators or escalators are properly maintained, resulting in injuries and death.
• Toxic Chemicals: Some properties store or manufacture chemicals and other substances that are dangerous to human health. The property owner must take steps to prevent these chemicals and substances from harming anyone on or off the property.
• Inadequate lighting, falling objects, and other cases.

If you've suffered a different injury while legally on another person's property, call our firm to learn your options for compensation.

Washington Premises Liability Law

Premises liability law in Washington allows various types of guests or visitors the right to pursue compensation against negligent property owners and occupants after an accident. These guests include:

• Invitees: Invitees are guests who have the express or implied invitation of the property owner to enter a piece of property. The two main types of invitees are business and public — shoppers entering a store would be considered business invitees, whereas a family who enters a public park would be considered public invitees.
• Licensees: Licensees are individuals who have the implied consent of a property owner to enter a property. They include utility workers, social guests, door-to-door canvassers, and salespeople.

Trespassers are not considered guests and do not have the right to be on a piece of property at any time.

Property owners owe their invitees the highest duty of care. For this category of guests, property owners must exercise care in maintaining their property and remedying or warning of dangerous conditions they discover. If a guest is a business invitee, the owner must also ensure that the guest is reasonably safe from criminal threats.

Less of a duty is owed to licensees than to invitees. However, property owners still have a duty to ensure that licensees are not injured by hazardous conditions that the property owner knew of or should have known of.

For trespassers, there is no duty of care owed. If a trespasser slips and falls on someone's property, they cannot seek damages. The only exception is if the trespasser was a child and was attracted to the another's property by an unsafe object or condition.

Who Can You Sue in a Premises Liability Case?

Who you sue in a premises liability claim depends on the circumstances of your accident. Generally speaking, any party who owns or manages a property can potentially be liable if you were injured and were not trespassing, including:

• Residential property owners;
• Hotels;
• Restaurants;
• Grocery and retail stores;
• Amusement parks;
• Municipal agencies;
• Schools and universities;
• Condominiums and apartment complexes.

In some cases, determining premises liability cases can be complex, making it important to acquire the services of a premises liability law firm early in the process.

Third-Party Liability Claims

Injured victims of premises liability accidents may also potentially have a claim against non-property owners, known as third parties. For example, if a defective product (such as an amusement park ride, elevator, or other product or equipment) caused injuries or contributed to your injury, you may potentially have a third-party claim against the designer or manufacturer of that product in addition to a claim against the property owner.

Compensation Available in Seattle Premises Liability Claims

Victims of premises liability accidents can pursue compensation for various serious injuries they have suffered, for example, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, permanent disabilities, and others, including economic and non-economic losses such as:

• Medical treatment and care costs and expenses;
• Lost wages and lost economic opportunities;
• Burial and funeral costs;
• Physical pain and suffering;
• Mental anguish;
• Emotional distress;
• Disfigurement and disability;
• Loss of consortium;
• Loss of society and companionship.

Financial compensation for lost wages or loss of use of property is also available if you experience property damage.

Why Choose Lehmbecker Law Firm for Your Seattle Premises Liability Case?

Lehmbecker Law has built a solid reputation as one of Washington state's top personal injury law firms. Each attorney with the firm has fought hard and has recovered valuable compensation for numerous clients who have suffered premises liability injuries.

Choosing Lehmbecker Law grants you the benefit of working with a firm with:

• Over 35 years of high-quality legal service;
• Multiple millions of dollars recovered for injured clients;
• A reputation for pursuing maximum compensation;
• 24/7 availability for clients.

We are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.