If you have been injured while on someone else’s property, consider speaking with an experienced premises liability attorney to determine whether you are entitled to seek damages to compensate you for your suffering, medical bills, and other losses and expenses.
Attorney Scott Terry is a competent, reputable, and knowledgeable lawyer who has handled countless premises liability cases in Sumner and throughout the state of Washington. Given his extensive experience and proven track record of success, his clients can have peace of mind knowing that they are in good hands as they pursue rightful compensation.
With offices in Sumner and Kent, Terry Law Firm, P.S. also serves clients in the City of Puyallup, Lake Tapps, Auburn, Bonney Lake, and throughout Pierce, King, and Thurston counties.
Need Help With a Premises Liability Claim?
Premises Liability in Washington
Under Washington’s premises liability law, all property owners can be held responsible for injuries to visitors on their property. However, owners are not automatically liable for all accidents on their property. A property owner can be held liable if they:
- Created a dangerous condition that caused a visitor’s injury; or
- Failed to remedy a dangerous condition despite being aware of or warned about its existence on the property.
In Washington, injured parties can bring a premises liability claim against private and public property owners, including government entities.
Types of Premises Liability Claims
Attorney Scott Terry handles different types of premises liability claims in Sumner and other parts of Pierce, King, and Thurston counties, including:
- Negligent maintenance. Maintenance issues often become causes of preventable accidents and injuries. For example, appliances and elevators pose an unreasonable risk of harm to visitors when they are not maintained properly.
- Slip and falls. These are the most common causes of premises liability claims in Washington and other states. Slip-and-fall accidents and trip-and-fall accidents can occur anywhere, including staircases and parking lots.
- Dog bites and other animal attacks. Property owners have a legal obligation to keep their dogs restrained to prevent them from harming people or other animals.
- Poor security. Property owners must provide safe premises for their customers and visitors by having appropriate security measures in place. When a visitor becomes a victim of third-party violence due to negligent security measures, they may be able to hold the property owner liable for their resulting injuries.
Private Property vs. Public Property Claims
Premises liability claims can also be broken down into two categories:
- Claims against private property owners. Filing a premises liability claim against the owner of private property is similar to bringing any other type of personal injury claim in Washington state.
- Claims against public property owners. When dealing with owners of public property, including government entities, there are additional steps involved to file a lawsuit. In Washington, accident victims must first file a claim with the state’s Office of Risk Management (ORM).
Consult with a lawyer to find out what steps you need to take to sue a property owner for your accident on their property.
Recoverable Damages
In most premises liability cases, injured victims seek compensatory damages that are meant to make the victim “whole” again by compensating them for their losses. These damages are categorized into two types:
- Economic damages are real and specific losses that you suffered as a result of your injury, including medical expenses and lost wages.
- Non-economic damages are any subjective, non-monetary losses you sustained after the accident (e.g., pain and suffering).
How Terry Law Firm, P.S. Can Help
Seeking compensation for injuries suffered on someone else’s property can be a complex process, especially if the property owner refuses to admit their responsibility, tries to make you liable for the accident, or offers a lowball settlement. Attorney Scott Terry can help you build a strong case and achieve a favorable outcome by doing the following:
- Investigate your accident to collect all available evidence
- Identify liable parties (in some cases, the property owner may not be the only at-fault party)
- Interview witnesses
- Determine the value of your claim
- Consult with expert witnesses
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Prepare your premises liability case for civil litigation if no settlement is reached
Premises Liability Attorney in Sumner, Washington
Throughout his career as a personal injury attorney in Sumner, Washington, Attorney Scott Terry has built a reputation as a confident and results-driven lawyer who stops at nothing to fight for fair compensation on behalf of clients in the municipal, district, and superior courts. Call Terry Law Firm, P.S. today for help with your premises liability case.
