Portland Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyer

What Causes Slip-and-fall Injuries?

Negligence often plays a central role in Portland slip-and-fall cases. This can take many forms but often involves a basic failure to clean or maintain business premises. Common issues include:

Wet Floors

If you have ever set foot on wet flooring, you know just how difficult it can be to keep your balance. Now, imagine what might happen if you come across wet floors completely by surprise.

Unfortunately, this problem is common among Portland businesses. A variety of issues can lead to wet floors, but the following are the most common:

• Spilled liquid that is not cleaned up quickly enough: Spilled water, beverages, or other substances can all place customers at risk. This issue is especially common in retail locations and in the hospitality industry. Employees should examine premises thoroughly and regularly to ensure that spills are cleaned up as quickly as possible.
• Recently mopped floors: Sometimes, the very process of cleaning up spills can cause even more of a problem than the spills themselves. Puddles, for example, may be visible to customers or patrons, but the hazards of freshly mopped floors may be more difficult to spot. If floors have been recently cleaned, and are not yet dry, it is the responsibility of the business to provide thorough notice, ideally with a hazard sign.

Trash or Other Debris

Liquid is by no means the only cleanliness concern that can cause people to fall. General debris can also be a major hazard. The solution, however, remains the same: thorough inspections that take place on a regular basis, plus a quick response whenever cleanliness issues are observed.

In addition to regularly checking that floors are free of debris; it is important for businesses to establish organizational systems that keep spaces as clean and open as possible. This means providing plenty of trash cans for customers to use, plus clearly defined aisles and storage spaces.

Icy Walkways

No matter how clean the interior premises seem, customers and clients are still at risk if problematic conditions are not addressed during the winter months. This is a huge hazard in Portland, where freeze and thaw cycles create a perfect recipe for slipping.

City codes mandate that all property owners (including local businesses and tenants) clear sidewalks shortly after winter storms. The Portland Bureau of Transportation recommends treating sidewalks with ice melt before storms arrive. Additionally, a snow shovel should be readily available to clear a path spanning at least three feet.

Poor Lighting

Low-quality lighting can quickly exacerbate the problems highlighted above. With bright lights, customers might spot puddles or debris quickly enough to bypass them. This is a lot less likely in dim areas. This can be an especially significant risk outdoors, where poorly lit sidewalks might not appear all that slippery.

Building Code Violations

Many of the problems referenced above can be avoided simply by following local building codes. These outline how premises can be made as safe and accessible as possible.

Building code violations are a threat to the public, but unfortunately, they are not always caught early enough by the City of Portland’s Property Compliance Division.

If violations contribute to slip-and-fall accidents, victims can make a clear case that the business in question demonstrated negligence. As such, an in-depth understanding of local rules and regulations can make a world of difference when pursuing legal damages.

Why Strong Law Is an Ideal Advocate in Portland

Do you suspect that negligence was somehow involved in your Portland slip-and-fall accident? If you fail to step up and act, you might not be the only person to suffer. Often, personal injury cases act as a valuable deterrent, reminding business leaders that they cannot get away with negligence.

Beyond this, of course, you owe it to yourself to seek damages. These will not erase your physical pain or mental suffering, but they should at least address some of the unnecessary financial distress that arose from your accident.

Once you have made the important decision to pursue a slip-and-fall lawsuit, it is time to select a trusted attorney who will have your back every step of the way. This is exactly what you will find at Strong Law, which is respected throughout Portland and beyond.

Our talented slip-and-fall attorneys bring many important qualities to the table, such as:

Amazing Reputation

Confidence is often thoroughly lacking in slip-and-fall accident victims, who may assume that they have not suffered enough or do not have sufficient evidence to prove their case. These concerns can be resolved, in part, by opting for an attorney who has an impressive track record in this practice area.

This is a clear advantage of working with Strong Law. We have an excellent track record, including repeated successes in several areas of personal injury law.

A relevant example of a success story that exemplifies our legal abilities? A premises liability case involving a poorly maintained balcony railing. The client suffered horrible back injuries but, with our help, was able to obtain a $500,000 settlement. In another premises liability case, our efforts produced a $1.5 million recovery.

These examples matter, of course, but it is also important to investigate the personal injury experience from the client’s perspective. One of the best forms of reassurance? Consistently glowing feedback from previous personal injury clients.

A brief glance at our testimonials should reveal just how pleased our clients are with our services and our results.

Our team has been described as professional, helpful, and honest. We take pride in these qualities and are determined to make future clients just as happy.

Local Emphasis

At Strong Law, we offer the best of both worlds: targeted representation from attorneys who thoroughly understand local statutes, as well as the resources of a nationwide firm. Our Portland slip-and-fall attorneys possess a wealth of knowledge, plus the local connections needed to give you a competitive edge.

As we have discussed, an in-depth understanding of local civil procedures will prove invaluable throughout the legal process. Everything from regional building codes to liability coverage requirements can influence slip-and-fall cases, so local knowledge is crucial.

Detail-Oriented Service

Attention to detail is one of the most important qualities that a Portland slip-and-fall lawyer can possess. It makes an enormous difference at every stage of the legal process, including everything from discovery to depositions and even at trial.

Our meticulous team at Strong Law scrutinizes every detail to ensure that your case is presented in its best light. This is immediately evident at your first consultation, where we will ask targeted questions to reveal the specific complications of your case. We also maintain this detail-oriented approach during discovery and, of course, while dealing with insurance and negotiating your settlement.

Contingency Service

Some slip-and-fall victims are slow to seek damages simply because they are concerned about the upfront cost. This should not be a problem when you work with Strong Law, as we will happily handle these upfront expenses.

At Strong Law in Portland, we are paid on contingency and do not receive a cent until we deliver a desirable settlement or verdict. 

Call (206) 741-1053 to schedule your free consultation.

What Happens During a Portland Slip-and-fall Case?

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ slip-and-fall accident in Portland. Difference premises, injuries, and victim responses can shape dramatically different legal outcomes. As with most personal injury cases, however, the legal process centers around a few key phases:

Consulting With a Portland Slip-and-fall Lawyer

A successful consultation can pave the path to a great attorney-client relationship and a positive case outcome. As such, we take this important first step seriously.

During our first meeting, we will chat about your case and discover what you expect from the legal process. We will provide honest feedback, not shying away from sharing the key challenges that lie ahead. Still, we will express empathy for your situation, as we understand just how devastating slip-and-fall accidents can be.

Gathering Evidence

If you choose to move forward with a Portland slip-and-fall lawsuit, we will embark on an exhaustive and particularly important part of the legal process: discovery.

This is when we turn to every avenue available to gather evidence that supports your case. Depending on your situation, such evidence could be abundant — or in short supply.

Common sources of evidence include:

• Medical records. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to seek medical attention after a fall. Healthcare providers will document your injuries, including early signs of damage that you might not detect on your own.
• Incident reports. Many businesses maintain strict policies requiring employees to thoroughly document all adverse incidents. Slip-and-fall accidents qualify. These reports should detail the basics of the situation, such as the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as the names of anybody who witnessed the fall.
• Video footage. Security cameras often capture footage of negligence-related falls. These videos may demonstrate whether dangerous conditions were present at the time of the accident. Video footage can also be used to disprove efforts to paint you — the victim — as negligent.

Negotiating a Settlement

It is common for Portland slip-and-fall cases to be resolved with settlements. Insurance companies are typically involved in this process, as local businesses are required to carry commercial general liability coverage. It is in the insurance company’s best interest to minimize the liability of the business in question, so it will take aggressive efforts from your attorney to secure full compensation.

If, after an offer is made, you choose to proceed with a personal injury lawsuit, zealous advocacy will remain important. Timely representation is also essential, given Oregon’s statute of limitations: just two years for accidents that result in personal injuries.

We are happy to schedule a free consultation; call (206) 741-1053 to get started.

Preparing for Trial

Likely, your slip-and-fall case will never reach the trial stage. Still, this remains a distinct possibility — so you and your attorney will want to prepare accordingly. This is a common strategy when striving for punitive damages.

If this reflects your intended approach, remember: state law mandates that just 30 percent of punitive damages go to the plaintiff. The remainder will be earmarked for the local victims’ compensation fund.