If you’ve slipped and fallen in Kennewick, you know how quickly an accident can turn your life upside down. A slip and fall injury can leave you with medical bills, lost wages, and pain that makes everyday activities difficult. The good news is that you don’t have to handle this alone. Tamaki Law helps slip and fall victims in Kennewick recover the compensation they deserve. Our Kennewick personal injury lawyers specialize in premises liability cases and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (509) 783-8333 today for your free consultation.
Why Choose Tamaki Law for Your Slip and Fall Claim
When you’re injured in a slip and fall accident, you need a law firm that understands both the law and what you’re going through. Tamaki Law has been serving Kennewick and the Tri-Cities area since 1994. Our founding partner, Blaine L. Tamaki, brings 35 years of trial experience to every case. He’s been recognized as a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics and was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Washington State Association for Justice in 2012. He’s also part of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, an invitation-only organization for premier trial lawyers.
Our team includes multiple attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Washington, including Bryan G. Smith and Megan E. Hale. We’ve recovered over $167 million for our clients in settlements and verdicts. More importantly, we treat every client like family. We handle your case personally. You won’t be passed off to paralegals or junior staff. We communicate with you throughout the process and fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay us if we win your case.
How Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Kennewick
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere in Kennewick. We see injuries at grocery stores when floors are wet or slippery. Restaurants and cafes often have spilled food or drinks that create hazards. Apartment complexes may have broken stairs, poor lighting, or uneven walkways. Office buildings sometimes fail to maintain safe conditions. Even public sidewalks and parking lots can become dangerous when property owners neglect maintenance.
Common hazards that cause slip and fall accidents include wet floors without warning signs, ice and snow that hasn’t been cleared, debris left on walkways, poor lighting that makes hazards hard to see, broken or uneven stairs, and cracked or damaged flooring. When a property owner knows about a hazard, or should know about it, they have a responsibility to fix it, warn visitors about it, or make the area safe. When they fail to do this, they’re negligent. That negligence can make them liable for your injuries. If you’ve been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, our Kennewick premises liability lawyers can help you pursue compensation.
What You Must Prove in a Slip and Fall Case
To win a slip and fall case in Washington, you need to prove three things. Let’s break down what each one means. Understanding these elements is crucial to building a strong premises liability claim. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can guide you through this process.
Duty of Care
Property owners owe visitors a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises. This duty applies to customers, guests, and other visitors who have permission to be on the property. The property owner must either fix known hazards, warn people about them, or inspect the property regularly to discover hazards that should be obvious. This duty extends to hazards that the property owner actually knew about and hazards that a reasonable property owner should have discovered through regular inspections. Understanding this legal standard is essential when pursuing a slip and fall claim in Kennewick.
Breach of Duty
A breach of duty means the property owner failed to meet their responsibility. This could mean they didn’t fix a hazard they knew about. It could mean they didn’t warn visitors about a dangerous condition. It could mean they failed to inspect the premises regularly. It could mean they didn’t clean up spills or debris promptly. If a reasonable property owner would have discovered and fixed the hazard, but this property owner didn’t, that’s a breach of duty. Our Kennewick slip and fall injury lawyers know how to prove breach of duty in slip and fall cases.
Causation and Injury
You must prove that the hazard directly caused your fall and your injuries. This means showing that you fell because of the unsafe condition and that the fall caused your injuries. You’ll need medical records and documentation of your treatment. Photos of the hazard and the scene help prove what caused your fall. Witness statements from people who saw the accident are valuable. Medical reports that connect your injuries to the fall are essential. Gathering strong evidence early in your case can significantly strengthen your claim.
Types of Compensation Available
If you win your slip and fall case, you can recover several types of compensation. Medical expenses include all costs related to your injury. This includes hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, surgery, medications, and any future medical treatment you’ll need. Lost wages cover the income you lost while you were recovering and unable to work. If your injury affects your ability to earn in the future, you can recover lost earning capacity.
Pain and suffering compensation recognizes the physical pain and discomfort you experienced. Emotional distress covers the anxiety, depression, or other emotional harm caused by your injury. Property damage covers any personal items damaged in the fall, like a phone or glasses. Understanding the full range of compensation available in personal injury cases helps you understand what your claim is worth.
Washington’s comparative fault law can affect your recovery. If you were partially at fault for your fall, for example, if you were wearing inappropriate footwear or not paying attention, the court may reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault. However, you can still recover as long as you’re less than 50% at fault. This is why it’s important to have an experienced attorney who can present your case effectively and minimize any claims that you were partially responsible.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall in Kennewick
Taking the right steps immediately after your slip and fall can make a big difference in your case. First, report the incident to the property owner or manager right away. Ask them to document the accident and get their written report. Seek medical attention even if you think your injuries are minor. Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Medical records create an important connection between your fall and your injuries.
Take photos of the hazard that caused your fall and the surrounding area. If possible, get the names and contact information of anyone who saw your fall. Keep detailed records of all your expenses related to the injury, including medical bills, receipts for medications, mileage to doctor appointments, and any other costs. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance company representatives without talking to a lawyer first. Insurance companies often try to use your own words against you. Our personal injury case checklist can help you stay organized throughout your recovery.
Most importantly, contact Tamaki Law for a free consultation. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can start protecting your rights and gathering evidence. Call (509) 783-8333 today. You can also learn more about how to avoid common mistakes in your personal injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Washington?
Washington’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of your injury. This means you have three years to file a lawsuit. However, don’t wait that long. Evidence disappears, witnesses move away, and memories fade. The sooner you contact Tamaki Law, the sooner we can preserve evidence and build a strong case. Insurance companies also move faster when they know you have legal representation. Our Kennewick slip and fall injury team can help you meet all critical deadlines.
What if I was partially at fault for my slip and fall?
Washington uses a comparative fault system. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. For example, if you were wearing inappropriate shoes but the property owner failed to warn you about a known hazard, you might be 20% at fault and the property owner 80% at fault. You could recover 80% of your damages. An experienced attorney can argue that the property owner’s negligence was the main cause of your injury, which helps maximize your recovery. Our premises liability attorneys have extensive experience with comparative fault cases.
How much is my slip and fall case worth?
The value of your case depends on several factors. The severity of your injuries matters, meaning more serious injuries are worth more. The cost of your medical treatment and how much you lost in wages affect the value. How much pain and suffering you experienced matters. Whether you’ll have permanent effects from your injury matters. The strength of the evidence also affects value. Cases with clear liability and strong evidence are worth more than cases where fault is disputed. Review our case results to see what we’ve recovered for clients in similar situations.
The best way to understand what your case might be worth is to schedule a free consultation with Tamaki Law.
Do I need a lawyer for my slip and fall claim?
You have the right to handle your claim alone, but having a lawyer gives you significant advantages. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay. They know how to pressure injured people into accepting low settlements. An experienced attorney levels the playing field. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies. We understand what your case is worth. We can file a lawsuit if the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation. Learn more about the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Tamaki Law works on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay us anything upfront. We only get paid if we win your case or reach a settlement. This means we’re motivated to get you the best result possible. You have nothing to lose by calling us for a free consultation.
What evidence do I need for my slip and fall case?
The more evidence you have, the stronger your case. Medical records and documentation of your treatment prove your injuries. Photos of the hazard and the scene show what caused your fall. Witness statements from people who saw the accident are powerful evidence. An incident report filed with the property owner creates an official record.
You should also keep records of all your expenses, including medical bills, receipts for medications, mileage to appointments, and lost wages. Keep a journal documenting your pain, recovery, and how the injury affected your daily life. If you have any communications with the property owner or insurance company, save those. All of this evidence helps us build a compelling case for your compensation. Our guide on how to gather strong evidence for a personal injury lawsuit provides detailed steps you can take.
Contact Tamaki Law for Your Free Consultation
You’ve been through enough. Let Tamaki Law handle the legal work while you focus on healing. We offer free consultations with no obligation. We’ll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Kennewick slip and fall victims have trusted Tamaki Law for over 30 years. Our attorneys have the experience, credentials, and commitment to get you results. Call (509) 783-8333 today to schedule your free consultation.