The Truth About “Slip and Fall” Claims
The term “slip and fall” describes a claim against someone who fails to make their property safe for visitors. Attorneys often refer to these cases as “premises liability” cases. Some people are skeptical about the "slip and fall" case, but the fact is that millions of people suffer preventable and severe injuries every year due to slips, trips and falls. That is no laughing matter.
Many attorney websites boast about being aggressive or caring, which is fine, but that does not give you the answers you need. Like any good consumer, you probably checked out a few attorney web sites to find information about your claim, and decide if you need to talk to a lawyer at all.
Making an Informed Decision
We provide free information to help you understand whether you have a claim, whether you need a lawyer, and how to avoid the most common mistakes people make when dealing with insurance companies and claims adjusters. We also offer a free consumer guide that answers the most common questions, and gives you answers to questions you should be asking. We also provide answers to the most frequently asked questions, and a searchable data base to help you find the information you need to learn your options. You can also check out our case results page, which is not about boasting our results, but to give you some sense of the kind of cases we have worked on for other clients in your situation.
Not everyone needs a lawyer to handle their claim, but there is a lot to think about.
People visiting our web site, and those who hire us want to know about:
- Our experience;
- How our fee agreement works;
- How we communicate with our clients;
- How we investigate a case, and evaluate cases for settlement;
- What other clients think about us.
If you still have questions, contact our office to discuss your case. We will answer all your questions, and find your best options, even if that means another attorney, or some tips on how to handle your claim on your own.
Call us at 503-325-8600 to talk to us. It’s free, it’s confidential, and you are not required to sign any agreements. We will listen to your concerns, explain your options. If we are able to help you with your case, there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you, and not until the case is resolved.
We are based in Astoria, but have helped clients all over Oregon and Washington. We also have offices in Hillsboro, Oregon, and can make arrangements to meet you at a satellite office that is convenient for you. If you are in Oregon or Washington, but your case is in another state, we can work with a local attorney, when the courts allow it, at no extra cost to you.
Leveling the Playing Field
If you suffered an injury on someone’s property because of that person’s carelessness, you just want to be treated fairly. We cannot count the times our clients assure us that they are not looking to “win the lottery,” or “rake anyone over the coals.”
Insurance adjusters are trained to keep you from contacting an attorney.
Insurance adjusters know that if you consult with an attorney, you have a better idea of your legal options, which levels the playing field. That often takes away the insurance adjuster’s advantage in negotiations.
Insurance companies have spent significant time and money convincing potential jurors that these kinds of cases are often frivolous, which in many cases, cannot be further from the truth.
Things change when an attorney gets involved in a premises liability case. First, insurance companies realize that their dealing with somebody who knows how to prove these claims, including the amount of compensation required to make up for your losses.
How We Work With You
Our firm works on a contingent-fee basis. This means that we are paid only if we make a recovery on your behalf. When we meet with a client, we review the agreement paragraph by paragraph, making sure that you understand every part of the agreement. We answer all your questions, and if you are not sure whether you want us involved, we will provide a follow-up letter describing our fee agreement in detail.
If you want to learn more about how this works before you call, order our Oregon Personal Injury Guide. It is free, it is private, and there are no obligations.
How do I hold a landowner responsible for my injury?
What are my options to get medical expenses covered?
Are there laws that protect the landowner from responsibility for my injuries?
Do I have a claim against my landlord?
What if my claim is against a city or state government agency?
Do I need an expert witness to prove my case?
What exactly am I able to claim with this kind of case?
Our office has handled several premises liability cases, and we approach these cases differently:
We give our potential clients an honest and realistic assessment of the issues of each case at the beginning, not at the last minute.
We investigate the case to determine whether the landowner is legally responsible for your injuries.
If necessary, we employ experts to determine whether the condition that caused your injury was a hazard. There may be building codes or other standards the landowner violated in constructing or maintaining the condition that caused the injury. There may have been prior injuries like yours, which puts the landowner on notice that a hazard existed. These are often critical factors in making a case.
We evaluate your medical records, and if necessary, talk with your doctors, your friends, and your family to document how this injury affected you, and whether the injury is life changing.
We Know Every Case Is Different
Insurance companies prefer that you provide a recorded statement, sign medical releases, and document all lost income to evaluate your case. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it is a waste of time, and gets you nowhere. We look at each case to determine the best route for you, because in the end, the goal is to obtain the best result for you, and that more than anything drives our decisions, and our strategy.
We also like to stay focused on what we know. Other lawyers may offer a variety of services, and that can work out fine. These cases, however, are often complex, and require specialized knowledge. If you call us about a case we do not normally handle, we will find a lawyer who can help you, or join forces with an attorney or law firm to get the best result for our client, often at no extra cost to you.
If you want to discuss your case, call us at 1-888-306-6910 to learn where you stand, and find out if you need a lawyer in the first place.
Here are some other kinds of cases we handle:
