Seattle Slip and Fall Attorneys
In a busy city like Seattle, millions of people traverse the sidewalks each and every day. Generally speaking, these sidewalks are safe and well maintained. But there are always exceptions, and those exceptions can lead to serious injury for an unwitting pedestrian who suddenly slips and falls onto the hard concrete surface.
Local governments and private property owners have certain responsibilities when it comes to maintaining their sidewalks in a reasonably safe condition. If these entities shirk that duty and someone is injured as a result, the victim has the right to seek compensation for their injuries. A qualified lawyer can review your case and advise you with respect to a potential personal injury claim. At the Emerald Law Group, we represent individuals looking to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and other out-of-pocket losses following a preventable accident.
Poor Sidewalk Maintenance Often Leads to Serious Injuries
Unlike indoor walkways and surfaces, sidewalks are by their very nature constantly exposed to the outdoor elements. This makes it incumbent upon property owners to be proactive in keeping their sidewalks in a reasonably safe condition for pedestrians. Common examples of where improper maintenance can lead to slip and fall accidents include:
- failure to clean off ice or snow following a storm;
- the sidewalk buckles due to extreme heat;
- there is a crack or loose pavement or brick in the sidewalk;
- there is debris, glass, or garbage on the sidewalk;
- a metal grate is loose;
- the pavement is uneven; or
- the curb is cracked or too high.
There are multiple parties that may be responsible for a sidewalk slip and fall accident. If the sidewalk was in front of a private store or apartment building, the property owner may be liable for any injuries suffered on the adjacent sidewalks. In the case of public sidewalks, the city or county is likely responsible for their maintenance or lack thereof. There may also be third parties that can be held liable, such as a construction firm or a company that improperly designed the sidewalk in the first place.
Contact Emerald Law Group Today
A sidewalk slip and fall accident is a serious matter. When a person hits the pavement they may suffer a wide variety of potentially life-threatening injuries, such as a broken hip, a fractured wrist or ankle, and even a traumatic brain injury (concussion). These injuries may require months–or even years–of expensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. During this time an accident victim may not be able to return to work and suffer an overall loss of quality in their life.
In a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for these and other injuries from all the potentially responsible parties. But you should never assume that a property owner will simply pay up following an accident. Instead, you need to work with a skilled Seattle sidewalk slip and fall lawyer throughout the process. Contact the Emerald Law Group today to schedule an initial consultation.
