Spokane Slip And Fall Lawyer

Key Highlights

• Local Spokane slip and fall lawyers are available to help people who have sustained injuries as a result of unsafe conditions on their property and provide representation both locally and at trial.
• Lawyers utilize ordinances from both Spokane and Spokane Valley to demonstrate that negligent conduct exists in cases involving snow and ice.
• They have extensive experience representing clients with serious injuries sustained due to falls, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
• We do not charge clients any fees unless they recover compensation for their injuries, and clients can receive free initial consultations.

Slip and fall accident lawyers in Spokane can assist you if you have sustained injuries from unsafe conditions, such as ice, snow, spills, or damaged walking surfaces on properties, in seeking compensation. Property owners in Washington State can be held liable for slip and fall injuries occurring on their properties under Washington State premises liability law when they should have prevented these injuries by keeping the property safe.

Russell & Hill Law Firm provides representation to people injured due to slips or falls. Our firm is based in Spokane, not a remote location that uses “call center attorneys” to represent clients from afar. We are aware of and understand Spokane County weather, ordinances, and laws. Furthermore, if you are represented by our Spokane slip and fall lawyers, you will not be responsible for attorney fees unless we successfully resolve your case at trial or by settlement.

If you have sustained injuries due to a slip and fall in Spokane, please contact Russell & Hill Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.

Why Slip and Fall Accidents Are Common in Spokane

There are many instances of slip and fall accidents around Spokane in the winter due to ice on sidewalks, steep neighborhoods or from local ordinances that require property owners to maintain their own sidewalks.

Spokane Winter & Terrain Risks

The following are some of the causes of the various slip and fall accident cases around Spokane due to the frequent freeze/thaw cycle:

• Black ice – This is an extremely slippery ice condition that develops when the daytime snow that fell overnight melts and then refreezes during the evening hours, and is generally very difficult for pedestrian traffic to see.
• Snowmelt refreezing – Snow that has melted will refreeze in the vicinity of car entrance and exit points to the parking lot or curb ramp of a residential property.
• Steep inclines – Extreme sloping of terrain (e.g. from the top of the hill down to the bottom) can contribute to a greater force of impact or injury when the person falls compared to falling on flat land.

High-Risk Spokane Locations

Certain areas consistently produce slip and fall injury attorney near me searches due to foot traffic and terrain.

• Downtown Spokane or Riverside Avenue sidewalks
• River Park Square or North Town Mall entrances
• Sidewalks surrounding Gonzaga University
• The Perry District
• South Hill’s steep residential streets
• Manito Park walkways during the winter months

Spokane & Spokane Valley Ordinances

Local codes are often used to help determine liability in slip and fall accident cases.

• Spokane Municipal Code 12.02.010 – Requires adjacent property owners to clear their sidewalks of snow/ice, and will rarely be enforced through fines, but constitutes very compelling evidence of a breach of standard of care by a property owner in a civil lawsuit.
• Spokane Valley Municipal Code 7.45 – It establishes a 48-hour requirement of removing snow from priority zones after a storm has ended.

Attorneys for slip and falls often use these ordinances as evidence of negligence in slip and fall law cases.

Washington Slip and Fall Laws That Protect Spokane Injury Victims

The laws governing Washington slip and fall cases are based on premises liability and a pure comparative fault-based system that gives plaintiffs the right to pursue damages even if they were partly responsible for causing their injuries.

Duty of Care & Visitor Status

Depending on the reasons you are on the property, property owners owe different levels of care. Customers and tenants receive the greatest level of care from property owners, social guests receive a lesser, but still enforceable legal protection and trespassers receive the least amount of legal protection.

Pure Comparative Fault 

According to state law (RCW 4.22.005), a jury can assign partial blame for any distractions, such as using a cell phone for the victim and also allow the owner of the property be liable for any dangerous condition, such as black ice. This can allow for significant recovery of damages. 

Time Limits & Government Claims

Most slip and fall personal injury lawyer cases allow three years to file a suit. But, if you fall on the City of Spokane, you are required to provide a Tort Claim Notice early, sometimes months after the injury.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries and Where to Get Medical Care in Spokane

Slip, trip, and fall incidents generally incur devastating bodily effects leading to immediate medical attention and long-term care from a physician.

• Broken hips, wrists, and ankles: These are most commonly surgically repaired. They also serve as examples of several high-value slip and fall settlement examples.
• Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions may not be apparent at the time of the accident but may progressively worsen due to lack of neurological evaluation in a timely manner.
• Spinal disc injuries: Herniated or bulging discs can result in continuous pain, loss of mobility and disability for an indefinite period of time.
• Soft tissue injuries: Damage to ligaments and tendons can dramatically alter someone’s ability to perform daily life tasks, even though the skeletal and soft tissues appear to sustain little or no damage based on radiological assessment.
• Elderly-specific risks: Particular to older individuals, hairline fractures and collisions not causing any immediate symptoms may take weeks to months to appear after falling, especially when snow and ice are present.

Following a significant slip and fall injury, many victims typically go to one of two local hospitals to receive immediate, emergency medical assistance and for the injuries to be recorded. It is important that victims receive follow-up from an orthopedic doctor or a neurologist, since untreated concussions, spinal cord injuries, and tiny fractures can lead to worse outcomes over time.

What To Do After A Slip And Fall Accident

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Spokane, there are several critical steps to follow right away, which will greatly enhance your trip and fall claims for damages caused by the injury.

Notify Management

Report the accident immediately to the store manager or property owner and request a copy (written) of the incident report to document where, when, and why the accident occurred.

Document the Hazard

Take several pictures or videos of the ice, liquid spill or damaged flooring from different angles before the hazardous condition is corrected, thus documenting it as evidence prior to loss.

Identify Witnesses

Obtain the contact information (i.e., name and phone number) of anyone who witnessed your fall or had seen the hazard prior to your fall. Neutral witnesses will provide additional credibility to your case.

Seek Medical Care

Seek medical attention at a Spokane emergency room (ER) or urgent care facility within 24 hours to document your injuries and to prevent the insurance company from denying your claim because of a delayed medical evaluation.

Preserve Evidence

Place the shoes and clothing you were wearing in a sealed plastic bag, without washing them, as the tread on your shoes and the amount of moisture remaining in your clothes can be used as evidence.

Avoid Insurance Statements

Do not provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters in slip fall lawyer cases, as they are trained to minimize your recovery when representing slip and fall accident victims.

Contact a Spokane Slip and Fall Lawyer

Contact slip and fall accident law firm to protect your legal rights, effectively manage your insurance company, and accurately calculate your damages.

Why Spokane Injury Victims Choose Russell & Hill Law Firm

Russell & Hill Law Firm provides trial-ready representation for Spokane slip and fall victims against both large corporations and insurance companies. 

• Spokane-based representation: You will be working with a true local slip and fall lawyer rather than a distant call center attorney. 
• Experience with all defendants: We have represented a wide range of defendants, including corporate retailers, grocery stores, shopping malls, and private homeowners. 
• No fee unless we recover compensation: Our slip and fall lawyer fees are based on the money recovered for you. So, if there is no recovery, then it means no fee.
• Hands-on attorney involvement: You will receive the assistance of experienced slip & fall attorneys who are involved with your case from start to finish, rather than being passed off to an assistant. 

“Slip and fall cases are often dismissed by the court as minor, but we see and know firsthand how long-lasting the aftereffects of these injuries can be. At Russell & Hill Law Firm our job is to make sure Spokane property owners are held accountable when they fail to follow the safety rules.”
— Matthew Russel, Founding Partner at Russell & Hill Law Firm

Speak With a Spokane Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve fallen on someone’s property in Spokane due to unsafe conditions, Washington law entitles you to compensation from the property owner for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Taking action right away will ensure that your evidence remains intact so you don’t miss any important legal deadlines. 

With local experience, proven negotiation skills, and contingency-based representation, our Spokane slip and fall lawyer at Russell & Hill Law Firm is here to help you hold the responsible party accountable and get the compensation you need for your injuries. 

To get started, call Russell & Hill Law Firm at (800) 529-0842 now to set up a free consultation with a Spokane slip and fall attorney near me.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spokane Slip and Fall Lawyers

How long do I have to sue for a slip and fall in Washington?

Generally speaking, victims have three years after their injury to file a claim, but in some cases, such as cases against a governmental agency (i.e. City of Spokane), different notice periods are required prior to filing a claim.

Can I sue if there was a “Wet Floor” sign?

A wet floor sign is not enough; depending on how it was placed and if it was in plain sight, & whether or not the property owner made any effort to fix the wet surface, it will be up to a jury to decide whether the sign was sufficient

Is the City of Spokane liable for a sidewalk fall?

Most often, adjoining landowners (Under SMC 12.02.010) are liable for injuries resulting from defects or defects in the sidewalk adjacent to their property unless the defect was created by the City or the City was given notice of the defect and did not remedy it.

Do I need a lawyer for a slip and fall?

It is difficult for an individual to negotiate a fair settlement with an insurance carrier without the representation of an experienced slip and fall injury lawyer, as they will know all of the ins and outs of the process.

Who is responsible for a slip and fall accident?

Liability for a slip-and-fall accident usually rests with the property owner, landlord or the property manager or the entity controlling maintenance of the area where the accident occurred.

How does a slip and fall case work?

Your lawyer will investigate liability for the fall, gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance carrier and file suit for your slip & fall case if it is unable to obtain fair settlement through negotiations.

How much is a slip and fall accident worth?

The value of a slip and fall accident case varies based on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, someone being at fault for you having slip and fall incident, and the long-term effects of your injuries.

Why is my slip and fall case taking so long?

Slip and fall cases take a long time to get resolved due to the length of time to receive medical treatment, there are many delays from insurance companies and many times the insurance company will dispute who is liable for the accident.

What evidence helps a slip and fall claim?

There is much evidence that can help to support a slip and fall claim such as photos, an incident report, medical records, witness statements, and maintenance logs that could provide strong evidence to help support your claim.

What is a common defense for a slip and fall case?

A common defense includes that the injured party didn’t give notice of the slip and fall accident, that the slip and fall was due to obvious conditions, and that there was comparative fault in that the injured person helped to cause their own slip and fall accident.