Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. Fatal slip-and-fall accidents often happen because of hazardous conditions such as wet or uneven surfaces, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, or lack of handrails on stairs. Slip-and-fall injuries are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among seniors due to weaker muscles, certain medications, and reduced balance that often occur in older people. Falls are also the leading cause of unintentional injury in children due to their natural curiosity, limited experience, and lack of coordination.
Property owners have a legal obligation, called a duty of care, to keep their property safe for visitors and workers. If a property owner neglects this duty, they may be held liable when a tragic accident occurs on their property. As slip and fall wrongful death attorneys, we help families recover monetary damages for fatal slip and fall accidents caused by a negligent property owner.
How Slip and Fall Wrongful Death Attorneys Help Families Seek Justice
We understand that no amount of money can bring back a family member who has died in a slip-and-fall accident, but enormous financial strain can come from losing a loved one, including medical bills, lost wages, and funeral/burial expenses.
In Washington State, the estate’s representative, or executor, has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate and real parties of interest, including the deceased person’s spouse, children, or stepchildren. A wrongful death lawsuit seeks damages on behalf of the deceased person’s beneficiaries.
A wrongful death attorney helps the executor through every stage of the legal process, ultimately building a strong case that proves the four elements required for a negligence claim:
- Duty to exercise care. Was there a property owner responsible for keeping a safe environment?
- Negligence (breach of duty to exercise care). Did the property owner fail to exercise reasonable care to prevent a slip/fall, such as leaving a cluttered staircase for an extended period of time, failing to put a hazard warning sign by a wet floor, or neglecting to repair an uneven walkway?
- Cause. Did the breach of duty cause or at least contribute to the fatal accident?
- Damages. Were actual damages suffered, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and funeral expenses?
As part of the claims process, wrongful death attorneys investigate the accident thoroughly, gather medical records and expert testimony, and negotiate with insurance companies that may try to deny or reduce the claim. Attorneys also calculate the full extent of damages, including future lost income and loss of companionship, to ensure fair compensation. If a settlement cannot be reached, they represent the family in court, advocating for justice on behalf of the deceased. Throughout the process, they provide support and guidance, helping families navigate the legal system during an emotionally difficult time.
What Compensation Can Families Expect from a Slip and Fall Wrongful Death Claim?
Compensation for wrongful death claims varies widely, depending on several factors, including the actual cost of economic damages:
- medical bills
- funeral costs
- lost wages
and non-economic damages:
- pain and suffering
- loss of companionship or parenting
Other factors that are taken into consideration when valuing a wrongful death claim are the age of the deceased person, the types of relationships they had, their earning capacity, health, life expectancy, and the impact of the death on their estate’s beneficiaries. The attorney will create a case to show the jury how beneficiaries and loved ones will suffer financially and emotionally from the loss created by the property owner’s negligence.
Washington State law allows three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit from a slip-and-fall injury that leads to wrongful death. However, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after the loss.
Contact a Slip and Fall Wrongful Death Attorney Today!
An experienced slip and fall wrongful death lawyer can help your family recover a full and fair settlement for the loss of your family member with no up-front costs to you. We know the sneaky strategies used by insurance companies to get families to agree to settlements far below what they are worth. Our clients typically end up with a settlement or jury award that is five to ten times larger than they could have negotiated on their own. We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County who were injured in Washington State since 1979. Contact the experienced and hard-working personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Mount Vernon, WA today for a FREE consultation!
