Slip-and-fall accidents and other types of premises liability injuries are among the most common accidental injuries people suffer in Oregon and across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, in 2017, more than 10.5 million people across the country went to the ER for fall-related injuries. And this is just one example of the injuries that can result from property owners being negligent when it comes to the safety of visitors, tenants, and customers.
If you’ve suffered an injury on someone else’s property, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. The Portland premises liability lawyers at Siefman Law LLC have spent more than a decade helping people navigate the legal process, and they’ve handled hundreds of cases. We can work on your claim while you focus on healing from your injuries and putting your life back together.
To learn more about how our Portland personal injury lawyers can help, call (503) 395-2135 or visit our contact page for a free initial consultation.
Common Types of Premises Liability Injuries
Some of the injuries that can occur from a slip-and-fall or other type of premises liability accident include:
- Severe sprains or tears in the muscles or joints
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Disfigurement of the head or face
- Damage to the spinal cord, including paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Electrical shocks
- Drownings
- Dog bites
- Burns
Places Where Premises Liability Injuries Occur in Oregon
A premises liability can occur virtually anywhere, but some of the most common locations include:
- At work
- At home
- Sidewalks and other pathways
- Parking lots and garages
- Restaurants and bars
- Stores and other businesses, especially “big box” grocery stores and similar retailers
- Elevators and escalators
- Swimming pools
- Public parks
- Sports stadiums
- Rental properties
- Amusement parks
- Construction sites
- Assisted living facilities and nursing homes
Establishing Fault in Oregon Premises Liability Claims
One of the key components in a premises liability claim is establishing why the property owner or manager should be held responsible for the injuries you’ve suffered. This can be a bit difficult, as the level of care owed to you by a property owner depends on why you were on their property at the time of the accident and what type of guest you are:
- Business invitees – Property owners owe the highest duty of care to anyone who’s on their property for a commercial purpose. This includes restaurant patrons, anyone visiting a store to buy something, anyone using a gym, amusement park guests, and so on. In the case of business invitees, property owners must protect them from known hazards or provide adequate warning to make sure invitees can avoid the hazard on the property. Additionally, property owners must protect invitees from any hazard on the property that the owner could reasonably have been expected to be aware of.
- Licensees – Property owners owe a duty of care to licensees, though not to the same extent that applies to business invitees. A licensee is someone who is on a property with the owner’s permission, though not necessarily for a business purpose. A common example of a licensee is someone invited to another person’s home for a dinner party or other function. When it comes to licensees, property owners must use reasonable care to protect them from or provide warnings about known hazards, assuming the licensee could not recognize the hazard on their own.
- Trespassers – A trespasser is anyone on someone’s property illegally or without permission. Property owners owe a minimal duty of care to trespassers and can only be held liable for intentional injuries to the trespasser.
Common Hazards That Could Lead to a Premises Liability Injury
Property owners should take care to watch for common hazards that could lead to someone being injured on the premises, such as:
- Spilled liquids and other substances on the floor – Water, other drinks, and certain slick substances can all make a floor dangerous to walk on, leading to a slip-and-fall accident and substantial injuries.
- Loose cords and electrical wires – A loose cord can be a tripping hazard, especially if it’s in an area where someone may not know to look for an electrical cable.
- Poorly maintained sidewalks – Broken, uneven sidewalks are one of the most common sites of slip-and-fall accidents. Additionally, property owners should make sure rain, snow, and other precipitation is dealt with in a timely manner to make sure no one slips and injures themself.
- Swimming pools – Unguarded swimming pools can lead to accidental drownings if property owners and guests aren’t careful. Water from swimming pools can also end up coating the surface around the pool itself, creating a slipping hazard.
- Inadequate security – Rental property owners should make sure all entrances and exits to the property have working locks and are adequately monitored, otherwise tenants and guests can be injured by trespassers.
- Worn or broken handrails – A worn handrail can break if someone tries to grab it as they’re slipping or falling, leading to an injury. In multi-story buildings, someone may break through a worn handrail and fall, leading to a serious injury.
Compensation for a Slip-and-Fall or other Premises Liability Injury
If you’re injured in a premises liability accident, you could potentially recover a significant amount in compensation for your injuries. Among other things, you potentially claim compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life and psychological pain
- Punitive damages if the property owner acted in an especially reckless or negligent manner
Time Limits for Filing an Oregon Premises Liability Claim
Oregon law gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a premises liability claim. If you miss this deadline, you will likely be unable to recover any compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Portland, OR, Premises Liability Injury Lawyer Today
The Portland, OR, premises liability attorneys at Siefman Law LLC have the knowledge and experience to help you claim fair compensation for your injuries. Get a free initial consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers today by calling (503) 395-2135 or visiting our contact page.
