Premises Liability Lawyer Kennewick WA

Kennewick Premises Liability Lawyers

Aggressive representation for people injured on others’ property in Washington

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.

What duty of care do property owners owe Kennewick residents?

In Washington, the liability of a property owner depends on the reason a person is on the premises:

  • Invitees. These are people that businesses and organizations invite onto the property to buy goods, use services, participate in activities, or for other reasons. The highest duty of care is owed to an invitee.
  • Licensees. These are people who have the right to be on the property but aren’t invited onto the property. A common example is a neighbor who falls while walking on the sidewalk of another neighbor.
  • Trespassers. No duty of care is owed to trespassers who have no right to be on the property, unless the “attractive nuisance” doctrine can be invoked.

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.

What is the attractive nuisance doctrine?

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.

What types of premises liability cases do we handle?

In addition to attractive nuisance claims, Telaré Law represents anyone injured due to:

  • Dog bites. Washington has a strict liability dog law. This law provides that, except for police dogs, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries or deaths their dog causes – without regard to whether the dog had any record of viciousness. Common dog bite injuries include puncture wounds, lacerations, infections, diseases, and scarring and disfigurement.
  • Construction accidents. Public and private construction companies owe a duty of care to contractors and anyone who might be injured due to the construction work.
    • Independent contractors may be injured while using heavy machinery, power tools, or other equipment. Workers may be pinned by forklifts, struck by moving cranes, or fall from scaffolds. Common construction injuries include traumatic amputation, burns, electrocution, chemical exposure, spinal cord damage, and bone injuries that don’t fully heal.
    • Construction companies that fail to warn drivers about construction work and properly steer them away from the work may be liable for any car accidents that occur.
    • Pedestrians have a right to file a claim if the construction company fails to warn them to use alternate walking routes.
  • Other claims. We represent victims of other types of premises liability claims including elevator accidents, escalator accidents, bites by animals other than dogs, and attacks due to negligent security.

Who is liable for a premises liability accident in Kennewick?

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:

  • A tenant
  • A repair company
  • A maintenance company

In construction cases, the additional defendants may include:

  • Engineers
  • Architects
  • Contractors
  • Subcontractors

How much is my premises liability claim worth?

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:

  • Medical bills for ER care, surgeries and hospital care, doctor visits, therapy, medications, and assistive devices
  • Lost income from the date of the accident for as long as you can’t work
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Property damage

If a property owner knew of a property defect and failed to correct it or warn you, we may file for punitive damages.

Do you have a premises liability lawyer near me?

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.

Talk to a seasoned Kennewick premises liability attorney now

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.