Portland Slip & Fall Attorney
Understanding Oregon’s Premises Liability Laws
In the state of Oregon, it is every property owner’s responsibility to maintain a reasonably safe environment for their visitors. This is a legal duty that they are required to uphold, as they could face civil action if they fail to do so. What you must understand, however, is that both residential homeowners and commercial property owners are only expected to act “reasonably”—or rather, not negligently.
This means that they must conduct routine maintenance, remedy any hazardous conditions that exist, and adhere to the proper building codes at all times. Should they knowingly fail to do so, and someone is subsequently injured, they can be held accountable for providing damages—but only in the event that the victim was either an invitee or licensee, as property owners are not expected to maintain a safe environment for trespassers.
Examining the Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are, unfortunately, not a rare occurrence in Portland, OR. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that more than one million Americans are seriously hurt in slip and fall accidents each year, and that about 17,000 of these victims die from their injuries. There is no telling when such an incident might happen, as there are a number of different circumstances that may lead to an eventual slip and fall. It is when the accident could have been prevented, however, that someone should be held accountable.
Instances of this may include a property owner failing to:
- Clean up a spill or slippery substance on the floor
- Repair torn carpeting or uneven walking surfaces
- Provide adequate lighting in and around the building
- Follow proper building codes (i.e. implementing necessary handrails)
- Post necessary warning signs on the property
- Fix cracks or potholes in the parking lot of the building
Who is responsible for providing damages after an accident?
If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you may be wondering who is going to compensate you for the cost of your medical treatment and lost wages. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be able to pursue a premises liability lawsuit against the owner of the property. In order to do so, however, you must be able to prove that they had negligently contributed to the cause of the accident—meaning that they have failed to uphold a “duty of care.”
This would be true if they had knowingly failed to remedy a dangerous condition on the property or another reasonable person under the same circumstances would have noticed and fixed the problem before an accident happened. To more accurately make such a determination, it is highly recommended that you discuss the facts of your case with a Portland slip & fall attorney immediately after suffering an injury. In doing so, your legal counsel will have the opportunity to review the evidence and build a strong case in your favor.
Consult with a Portland Personal Injury Attorney Today
Need a lawyer for a slip and fall case in Portland, OR? Let the Law Offices of Timothy Grabe assist you in pursuing your claim. We would like to ensure that you are fairly compensated for the harm that you have suffered and that the responsible party is held accountable for their negligent actions. We strongly encourage you to take the first step today by contacting a Portland personal injury attorney at the firm.
When you call our office at 971-645-7176, you will have the opportunity to consult with an experienced legal professional for free, so do not hesitate to get started immediately.
