Filing a Slip and Fall Claim
A successful premises liability claim usually depends on more than the injury itself. Our Eugene attorneys often review whether a property owner, business, landlord, or other responsible party knew or should have known about a dangerous condition before the slip and fall. Spilled liquid, poor lighting, uneven flooring, broken stairs, loose mats, snow, or cluttered walkways can all raise different questions about notice and reasonable care.
Evidence can disappear quickly. A store might clean the floor, repair a step, or overwrite surveillance footage before an injured person understands its importance. When handling these claims, our attorneys often evaluate:
- Incident reports created after the fall
- Photos or video of the hazard
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Witness names and employee statements
- Medical records connecting the fall to the injury
Those details help show not only what caused the fall but also whether the danger existed long enough that someone responsible should have addressed it.
How Property Owners Can Be At Fault
Our attorneys could also assess how the state’s fault rules might shape settlement discussions. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 31.600, contributory negligence does not automatically bar recovery if the injured person’s fault is not greater than the combined fault of others, but damages can be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned.
This matters because insurers often argue that a person should have seen the hazard, worn different shoes, or moved more carefully. Those arguments do not end the case, but they do make evidence and timing important. Our lawyers may respond by examining lighting, warnings, flooring conditions, traffic patterns, prior complaints, and the reason a hazard was present.
Timing is another major concern. Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.110 generally provides two years for many personal injury actions not arising from contract. That deadline can affect whether you can file a claim. Working with our Eugene attorneys early helps protect your right to pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain, and other documented losses after a slip and fall.
