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Premises liability law applies to a wide range of properties like businesses, private homes, rental properties, and public spaces. The specific obligations of a property owner depend on factors like the type of property and the visitor’s reason for being there. As an example, businesses should be actively inspecting and addressing hazards to protect customers, while homeowners are expected to warn guests about known dangers. When property owners neglect these responsibilities, injuries caused by unsafe conditions can lead to claims for compensation.
The level of responsibility a property owner has depends on why someone is on the property. Washington law classifies visitors into three main categories: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Each category carries a different standard of care.
Invitees are people who are on the property for the owner’s benefit, like shoppers at a store or diners at a restaurant. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their space safe by checking for hazards regularly and fixing problems as soon as possible. If a dangerous condition exists, the owner should either remove the risk or clearly warn invitees about it.
Licensees are people who have permission to be on the property for non-business reasons, like friends visiting a home. Property owners need to address any hazards they know about that aren’t obvious or give clear warnings about them, but unlike with invitees, property owners aren’t required to regularly inspect the property for potential dangers.
Trespassers enter a property without the owner’s permission. In most cases, property owners have minimal responsibility to protect trespassers from harm. However, there are exceptions. For example, if the property contains an “attractive nuisance,” such as a swimming pool or abandoned equipment, the owner is required to take steps to protect children who might trespass.
Every premises liability case is unique. During the case, all facts will be considered, including the visitor’s status and the property owner’s actions, to determine whether negligence occurred. Our premises liability lawyers will analyze the details of your case, gather evidence to support your claim, and build a strategy to hold the property owner accountable for their negligence.
To have a valid premises liability claim, three key factors need to be proven:
Premises liability cases can arise in many everyday scenarios in Olympia. Here are some examples:
Each case is unique. The strength of a case often depends on the evidence, including photos of the hazard, witness statements, and medical records documenting your injuries. Speaking with our experienced attorneys can help you understand how these elements apply to your situation.
Accidents caused by unsafe property conditions can happen almost anywhere. Below are examples of cases we handle that might help you understand whether your situation qualifies for a claim.
Spilled liquids, uneven walkways, or other hidden hazards can lead to serious falls. Property owners are responsible for keeping their spaces safe and fixing issues before someone gets hurt.
When animals aren’t properly controlled, people can get seriously injured. The owner may be held accountable if a dog bite or animal attack happens on someone’s property.
Loose railings, broken steps, or dim lighting on staircases are common causes of falls. Property owners are expected to repair anything unsafe to prevent injuries.
Shoppers and diners can get hurt by hazards like wet floors, poorly placed items, or unsafe entryways. Businesses are expected to maintain safe conditions for all visitors.
Shared spaces in apartment buildings, like parking lots or stairwells, should be safe for tenants and their guests. If poor maintenance causes harm, the property manager may be liable.
Poor security, such as broken locks or dark parking areas, can create opportunities for assaults or theft. Property owners may be held responsible if lack of security leads to preventable harm.
Swimming pools can be dangerous if basic safety measures aren’t in place, like fences, locked gates, or warning signs about potential hazards. If someone gets hurt because the pool area wasn’t properly secured or maintained, the property owner may be held responsible.
Our premises liability attorneys evaluate your case to identify how the property owner’s negligence created unsafe conditions that caused your injury. The type of case establishes the safety standards the property owner was expected to follow. We use this analysis to determine liability and hold negligent property owners accountable for the harm they caused.
Premises liability cases often involve serious injuries that disrupt daily life and create lasting challenges. Broken bones, head injuries like concussions, and spinal damage are just a few examples of the harm unsafe conditions can cause. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment, physical therapy, or even long-term care, leading to significant medical bills.
In addition to medical expenses, these injuries frequently prevent people from working, causing a loss of income during recovery. Pain from the injury, combined with financial stress, can also take a toll on emotional well-being. Our attorneys use these details to calculate the full impact of the harm caused and to pursue compensation that addresses all of the damages you’ve experienced, not just the immediate costs.
After an injury on unsafe property, building a strong case requires more than just understanding what happened. Our attorneys handle the detailed work needed to prove your claim and pursue the compensation you deserve.
In our investigation we will gather evidence to show how unsafe conditions caused your injuries. As part of connecting the unsafe conditions to your injury, we may secure surveillance footage, photos of the hazard, witness statements, maintenance records, or other important evidence.
To hold the property owner accountable, we examine whether they failed to meet their responsibilities required by law. This involves analyzing how long the hazard existed, whether it could have been prevented, and how their actions, or lack of action, led to your injuries.
Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts, even when liability is clear. We negotiate directly with them, using the evidence we’ve gathered to demand compensation that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court to protect your interests.
Our role is to take the burden off you, manage every step of your case, and fight for the financial recovery you need while you focus on your health.
Washington law includes specific rules that influence how premises liability claims are handled. Laws related to premises liability can affect your ability to recover damages and determine how fault is assessed.
Washington uses a pure comparative negligence system, which allows you to recover damages even if you share some fault for the accident. If you are found partially responsible, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, being 25% at fault would result in a 25% reduction in your recovery.
Under Washington state’s personal injury statute of limitations, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a premises liability claim. If the statute of limitations deadline passes, the court will most likely dismiss your case, regardless of its strength.
Premises liability claims can become complicated when ownership or responsibility for the property is unclear. Cases involving partial liability, where both the injured party and property owner share fault, can be especially complex, usually requiring additional investigation to be sure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Shoppers and diners can get hurt by hazards like wet floors, poorly placed items, or unsafe entryways. Businesses are expected to maintain safe conditions for all visitors.
If unsafe property conditions caused your injury, you might qualify for compensation that accounts for the full extent of your losses. Damages may include coverage for both the short-term and ongoing impact, depending on the specific details of what happened.
Compensation often covers medical expenses related to your injury. It can include emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and follow-up treatments. Future costs may also be included if ongoing medical care is necessary.
Injuries that prevent you from working can lead to lost income. If your ability to return to work is affected permanently or temporarily, compensation may account for these losses, including future earning capacity.
Beyond physical injuries, the pain and emotional distress caused by an accident are considered when calculating damages. This type of compensation reflects the non-economic impact your injury has had on your life.
If personal belongings were damaged during the accident—such as clothing, phones, or other items—you may be able to recover the cost of repairing or replacing them.
Each case is unique, and the total compensation depends on the specific details of your injury and its effects on your life. An experienced attorney helps calculate these damages to ensure nothing is overlooked.
The timeline depends on the complexity of the case, how quickly evidence is gathered, and whether the property owner or their insurer agrees to a settlement. Some claims resolve in a few months, while others take longer, especially if they go to trial.
Seek medical attention right away, document the hazard that caused your injury, and report the incident to the property owner or manager. Collect evidence, such as photos and witness contact information, to support your case.
Yes, but it depends on whether the property owner should have known about the hazard through regular inspections or maintenance. Attorneys examine these details to establish negligence.
Possibly. If the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm, even an obvious hazard may lead to liability. This depends on the specific facts of the case.
No, premises liability focuses on negligence, not intent. You need to show the property owner failed to address unsafe conditions they knew about or should have known about.
Most premises liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Their fee comes from a percentage of the compensation they recover for you.
Yes, but claims against government entities have additional rules, including shorter deadlines for filing. An attorney can guide you through the process.
While reporting the injury promptly helps your case, you may still have options if evidence of the hazard and your injury is available. Delays can make proving your claim more difficult, though.
Yes, your visitor status determines the level of care the property owner owed you. Invitees are owed the highest duty, while trespassers are owed limited protection in most cases.
Under Washington’s comparative negligence rules, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can push back against unfair claims of shared responsibility.
There are no caps on damages in Washington for premises liability cases. However, the amount you recover depends on the severity of your injuries and the evidence supporting your case.
Freeman Law Firm, Inc. brings proven experience in premises liability cases and a deep understanding of Olympia’s courts. We’ve helped clients recover compensation after injuries caused by unsafe property conditions, from slips and falls to negligent security.
Our team takes an aggressive, client-focused approach, building claims that reflect the full impact of your injury. We fight for the compensation you need while keeping you informed and supported every step of the way.
