Helping When You’ve Been Injured on Someone Else's Property
Oregon law recognizes that people must often use another’s property to get through the day. You may need to park your car in a parking lot, go somewhere for work, use a public sidewalk to get to the bus stop, visit a friend's house, etc.
All these places have one thing in common: they are owned by a business or a private individual. Therefore, all these locations are potentially dangerous. You don’t always know how well-maintained the spaces are.
If you are injured on someone else's property due to their neglecting a dangerous condition, you may have a legal claim for premises liability. A premises liability claim lets you seek compensation when you’ve been hurt on another’s land, such as in a slip-and-fall case.
At Pacific Cascade Legal – Bend, we know how to investigate these claims. We will work to prove that the property owner or manager was negligent and that you deserve financial reimbursement.
To learn more about how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries, call our Bend lawyers at (541) 236-9655 or contact us online today.
What Should I Do if I'm Injured on Someone Else's Property Due to Another's Negligence?
Going about our everyday lives, we don't expect to get injured due to someone else's negligence. Unfortunately, accidents happen and injuries occur, even in the most unexpected places, such as the grocery store or a friend’s house.
If you find yourself in such a situation, it can be a daunting experience to handle. What steps should you take? Who do you report the incident to? Should you seek medical attention first? All these questions and more will be answered below, so read on to learn what to do if you're injured on someone else's property due to another's negligence:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately – The most important thing you should do after an injury is to seek immediate medical attention. Whether the injury seems severe or not, it's best to play it safe and have a professional check it out. Delaying medical attention can make the injury worse, leading to an increase in medical bills. Moreover, you'll need a medical report from a doctor to support your claim for compensation.
- Report the Incident – Once you've received medical attention, report the incident to the property owner immediately. Explain what happened and provide all the necessary details, such as the date, time, and place of the injury. Be sure to keep all communication with the property owner or manager in writing and document everything. Keep copies of all emails, letters, or reports that you send or receive.
- Gather Evidence – It's essential to gather as much evidence as possible to strengthen your claim. Take photos of the scene of the accident, including any defects, hazards, or dangerous conditions that may have contributed to the injury. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information. Depending on the severity of the injury and the situation, you may want to call the police and have them file an incident report.
- Contact an Attorney – After seeking medical attention, reporting the incident, and gathering evidence, the next step is to contact an attorney. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. There are many nuances when it comes to personal injury claims, and a good attorney will be familiar with them.
- File a Claim for Compensation – Finally, your attorney will help you file a claim for compensation against the responsible party. Depending on the case's specifics, this may be an insurance company, a business, or a government entity. Your attorney will work to negotiate a fair settlement with the responsible party to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
In summary, getting injured on someone else's property can be a stressful experience. However, by taking the right steps in the aftermath of the injury, you can protect your rights and pursue compensation for your damages. Remember to seek medical attention immediately, report the incident, gather evidence, contact an attorney, and file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. By following these steps, you can work towards getting the justice and compensation you deserve.
What Is Considered "Dangerous" Property?
To prove that a property is dangerous, you must prove that the property owner or manager:
- Had knowledge, or “reasonable notice,” of a dangerous condition on the property
- Failed to fix the condition in a reasonable amount of time
- Knew or should have known that someone would be harmed by the condition
What Is “Reasonable Notice” in a Premises Liability Claim?
In most cases, you can prove notice when:
- The dangerous condition is visible
- The property owner or manager is informed of the dangerous condition, especially if they’ve been warned multiple times
For example, imagine you slip and fall on a patch of ice on a sidewalk. The ice is clearly visible, so it is easier to prove that the property owner knew about the dangerous condition.
What Is “Reasonable Time” in a Premises Liability Case?
You may be able to show that the property owner or manager had time to fix a hazard when:
- The dangerous condition had been present for a long time
- The dangerous condition had caused multiple injuries to others
- The property owner or manager had been informed of the dangerous condition multiple times
Reasonable time also relates to the environment. For instance, a coffee shop should be on high alert for spills. If you slip on a spill that was unattended for 10 minutes, you have a stronger case.
Proving a Property Owner Should Have Known About a Hazard
Proof that a property owner should have been aware includes:
- The dangerous condition had caused serious injuries to others
- The dangerous condition had caused multiple injuries to others
- The danger is obvious, such as leaving a hot plate plugged in without any warning signage
We are here to help gather evidence and build your premises liability case for a slip-and-fall or other such injuries. Our lawyers in Bend are standing by, so contact us online or give us a call at (541) 236-9655 right away.