When you slip and fall on someone else’s property, the consequences can change your life in seconds. One moment you’re going about your day, and the next you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. The good news is that property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe. When they fail to do so, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. A Yakima slip and fall accident lawyer from Tamaki Law can help you understand your options and fight for the recovery you deserve.
Why Choose Tamaki Law for Your Slip and Fall Claim
Tamaki Law has spent over 30 years fighting for injury victims across Washington State. Founded in 1994, our firm has recovered more than $167 million for clients who have suffered serious injuries and losses. Our team includes multiple Super Lawyers and attorneys recognized by The National Trial Lawyers.
When you work with Tamaki Law, you get experienced advocates who understand premises liability law and know how to hold property owners accountable. Our founding partner, Blaine L. Tamaki, was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Washington State Association for Justice. Partners Bryan G. Smith and Megan E. Hale bring decades of combined experience handling complex injury cases. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
We serve clients throughout Washington State from our offices in Yakima, Kennewick, and Bellevue. When you choose Tamaki Law, you’re choosing a firm that puts your recovery first.
Common Locations Where Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Yakima
Slip-and-fall accidents occur in many settings throughout Yakima. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions at their facilities, and when they neglect this responsibility, accidents happen. Common locations where slip and falls occur include:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets with wet floors
- Restaurants and cafes with slippery surfaces
- Retail shops with cluttered aisles or poor lighting
- Parking lots with potholes, cracks, or ice
- Sidewalks with uneven surfaces or debris
- Staircases without proper handrails or maintenance
- Apartment complexes with inadequate maintenance
- Workplaces with hazardous conditions
Property owners and managers know that slip-and-fall injuries are common. They have a legal obligation to regularly inspect their premises, identify hazards, and either fix them or warn visitors of the danger. When they fail to do this, they can be held liable for your injuries. Our premises liability attorneys understand these obligations and know how to prove negligence.
How Property Owners Can Be Held Liable for Your Fall
To hold a property owner liable for your slip and fall injury, you need to prove three key elements: duty, breach, and causation.
Duty means the property owner had a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions. In Washington, property owners owe different levels of duty depending on your status as a visitor. If you were an invitee (someone invited onto the property for business purposes, like a customer at a store), the owner owes you the highest level of care. If you were a licensee (someone with permission to be there but not for business purposes), the owner still owes you a duty to warn of known hazards. Even trespassers receive some protection, though the duty is lower.
Breach means the property owner failed to meet that duty. This could mean they didn’t regularly inspect the property, didn’t fix a known hazard, or didn’t warn visitors about a dangerous condition. For example, if a grocery store manager knew about a spill on the floor but didn’t clean it up or put up a warning sign, that’s a breach of duty.
Causation means the property owner’s breach directly caused your injury. You slipped and fell because of the hazardous condition they failed to address. This connection between their negligence and your injury is essential to your claim.
Washington law also recognizes that property owners must take reasonable steps to inspect their premises and discover hazards. They can’t simply ignore obvious dangers and claim they didn’t know about them. Understanding these legal principles is crucial, which is why working with an experienced Yakima personal injury attorney can make all the difference in your case.
Types of Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to life-altering conditions. The severity often depends on factors like your age, the height of the fall, and what you landed on. Understanding the types of injuries you may have suffered is the first step toward recovery.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones are among the most common injuries from slip and fall accidents. Wrists, ankles, hips, and arms frequently break when people try to catch themselves during a fall. Hip fractures are particularly serious, especially for older adults, often requiring surgery and extended recovery time. Broken bones can mean weeks or months of immobility, physical therapy, and ongoing pain. If you’ve suffered a broken bone from a slip and fall, our attorneys can help you pursue full compensation.
Head and Spinal Cord Injuries
Falls that result in head injuries can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBI), ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Spinal cord injuries from falls can lead to partial or complete paralysis, permanently changing your ability to work and enjoy life. These catastrophic injuries often require lifelong medical care and support. If you’ve suffered a brain injury or spinal cord injury from a slip and fall, our attorneys can help you pursue full compensation.
Other common slip and fall injuries include lacerations, soft tissue damage, knee injuries, and shoulder injuries. Even injuries that seem minor at first can develop into chronic pain conditions that affect your quality of life for years.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
When you have a valid slip and fall claim, you can pursue two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover your actual financial losses. This includes all medical expenses related to your injury. Examples of these medical expenses are emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment. If you needed physical therapy, assistive devices, or home modifications, those costs are recoverable. You can also claim lost wages for time you missed from work during recovery, and if your injury affects your earning capacity long-term, you can seek compensation for future lost income.
Non-economic damages compensate you for the non-financial impact of your injury. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse). These damages account for how your injury has affected your quality of life beyond just the medical bills.
At Tamaki Law, we work with medical experts and economists to calculate fair compensation that reflects the true cost of your injury. We don’t settle for less than what your case is worth. Our case results demonstrate our commitment to securing maximum recovery for our clients. We’ve helped Yakima injury victims recover millions in settlements and verdicts.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall in Yakima
Taking the right steps immediately after a slip-and-fall can strengthen your claim and protect your rights. Here’s what you should do:
Seek medical attention – Your health is the priority. Even if you feel okay, some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Get evaluated by a doctor and follow their treatment recommendations.
Report the incident – Tell the property owner, manager, or staff about your fall. Ask them to document the incident in writing and get the name and contact information of the person who takes your report.
Document the scene – If you’re able, take photos or videos of the hazardous condition that caused your fall. Capture the area from multiple angles, including any debris, wet floors, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces. This evidence is crucial for your premises liability claim.
Gather witness information: If anyone witnessed your fall, get their names and phone numbers. Witness testimony can be crucial to proving what happened.
Preserve evidence – Keep the clothes and shoes you were wearing when you fell. Don’t wash them, as they may contain evidence of the hazard. Keep all medical records, receipts, and documentation of your expenses.
Avoid social media: Don’t post about your accident or injury. Insurance companies monitor social media and may use your posts against you.
Contact an attorney – Call Tamaki Law as soon as possible. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and begin building your case. Our team understands the importance of acting quickly to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Washington’s Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Claims
In Washington State, you have three years from the date of your slip and fall accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is set by Washington Revised Code (RCW 4.16.080). While three years might seem like a long time, you shouldn’t wait to take action.
Here’s why: evidence fades, witnesses move away or forget details, and property conditions change. Security camera footage may be recorded over or deleted. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner we can preserve critical evidence and interview witnesses while their memories are fresh. Additionally, insurance companies are more likely to take your claim seriously when you act promptly.
Don’t let the statute of limitations deadline sneak up on you. Contact Tamaki Law today to discuss your case and protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Claims
What if I were partially at fault for the slip and fall?
Washington follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your fall. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you could recover $80,000. The key is proving that the property owner’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing your slip-and-fall injury.
How long does a slip and fall case take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case and whether the insurance company is willing to settle. Some cases settle within a few months, while others may take a year or longer if litigation becomes necessary. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way and work to resolve your personal injury case as efficiently as possible.
Do I have to go to court?
Most slip and fall cases settle without going to trial. We’ll negotiate aggressively with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement. However, if they won’t offer reasonable compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys have extensive trial experience and aren’t afraid to fight for you in front of a jury.
What should I do if the property owner denies liability?
Don’t be discouraged. Property owners and their insurance companies often initially deny liability. That’s where we come in. We’ll investigate the accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case showing the property owner’s negligence. Many premises liability cases that start with a denial end in successful settlements once the property owner realizes the strength of your claim.
Can I still file a claim if I didn’t seek immediate medical care?
Yes, but it’s more challenging. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries weren’t serious if you didn’t seek treatment right away. However, some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. If you delayed treatment for a legitimate reason, we can still pursue your claim. The important thing is to seek medical attention as soon as you realize you’re injured and to document why you delayed treatment if applicable.
Contact Tamaki Law for Your Free Consultation
You don’t have to handle a slip-and-fall claim alone. Tamaki Law is ready to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations with no obligation, and we handle every case on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front, as we only get paid if we recover money for you.
Call Tamaki Law today at (509) 248-8338 to schedule your free consultation. Our team is ready to listen to your story and explain how we can help. You can also reach out through our website contact form, and we’ll get back to you promptly.