Commercial property owners, organizations, and homeowners all have a duty to the public to keep their property safe. Property owners need to be especially protective when they should know children might use their property or play with their dogs. Construction site owners repairing public roads, constructing new buildings, adding additions to existing buildings, doing utility work, or any type of construction – need to ensure drivers, contractors, and visitors are not harmed.
At Telaré Law, our Kennewick, WA premises liability lawyers investigate the cause of the accident to determine who is responsible, and why they should be held accountable. We work with your physicians and other healthcare providers when injuries require a lifetime of care, change lives forever, or cause serious harm. Our trial lawyers prepare your case for a jury trial. Insurance adjusters may only offer a just award when they know your lawyer can persuasively argue your lawsuit in court.
In Washington, the liability of a property owner depends on the reason a person is on the premises:
The general duty of care of any property owner includes conducting routine inspections of the property for possible dangers, fixing known dangers, warning uses of known dangers that have not been fixed, hiring security guards, and responding to complaints about the condition of the property.
In Washington, there is an exception to the presumption that property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers. Washington recognizes that curious children may be tempted to explore property when there is something on the property that entices them. If a child explores the property to see what the attractive nuisance is, or to use the attractive nuisance, the property owner can be held liable for the child’s injuries, without regard to the child’s right to be on the property.
Examples of an attractive nuisance include swimming pools and trampolines. Children who don’t know how to swim or who aren’t good swimmers may drown. Children who use trampolines can lose their balance causing brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple or compound fractures, and other very serious injuries. Other objects, such as power tools, uncovered wells, and ponds, may also be considered attractive nuisances.
Generally, property owners are required to secure their property to ensure that curious children cannot access any attractive nuisance. This means owners should install fences, lights, alarms, and other safety measures to ensure children don’t enter the property in the first place.
Our Kennewick premises liability lawyers understand the unique challenges involved in filing a personal injury claim on behalf of a child.
In addition to attractive nuisance claims, Telaré Law represents anyone injured due to:
The primary defendant in every premises liability claim is the property owner. There may be parent companies or subsidiaries that are the owners. That’s not always simple to determine. Our Kennewick premises liability lawyers work to show who the real owners are. In addition to the owners, these entities may also be liable:
In construction cases, the additional defendants may include:
The value of your claim depends on how strong your liability claim is, the type of injuries you have, and all the ways your injuries make your life difficult. Premises liability victims in Kennewick are entitled to compensation for their financial and personal losses including:
If a property owner knew of a property defect and failed to correct it or warn you, we may file for punitive damages.
At Telaré Law, we make it convenient to serve Southeast Washington accident victims. Our Kennewick office is located at 819 South Auburn St. We also have a Richland office. Our lawyers talk to accident victims in their homes or a hospital if they are not mobile or ill.
The insurance companies will fight your claim. They’ll try to deny liability. They’ll say your injuries aren’t that bad. You need skilled trial lawyers with the experience and resources to fight for you. Telaré Law investigates the accident site and thoroughly questions the witnesses and the defendants. We seek records that often show the property owner had prior notice the property was dangerous. Our lawyers are respected by clients, adjusters, and the legal community for our strong representation of personal injury victims.
To discuss your right to hold property owners liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one, call our attorneys at 509-737-8500 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent Washington premises liability victims on a contingency fee basis. Our lawyers assert the rights of anyone injured in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, or across Southeast Washington.