Retail and Premises Liability: Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries in Washington State?

Slips and falls, falling merchandise, and other injuries can turn a trip to the store into a long and painful recovery. If you get injured while shopping or visiting a business in Washington State, you may be entitled to compensation, provided you can prove the property owner or manager was negligent.

Premises liability laws in Washington State hold property owners legally accountable for maintaining a safe environment for customers, visitors, and other guests. Our Issaquah retail liability attorney explains how these cases work, who may be held responsible, and what you need to do to protect your rights.

Understanding Premises Liability in Washington State

Premises liability is a type of personal injury law that applies when someone gets hurt due to dangerous conditions on another person’s property. In the retail setting, that might be a grocery store, mall, clothing shop, gas station, or even a big box chain store.

Under RCW 4.24.210, property owners and occupiers must maintain the safety of the premises and fix or warn of known dangers. In retail injury cases, common hazards include:

• Wet or slippery floors with no visible warning signs;
• Spilled merchandise or food left uncleaned for long periods;
• Uneven flooring or torn carpets that pose trip hazards;
• Poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, or store aisles;
• Falling objects from shelves that are improperly stocked;
• Lack of security in high-crime areas leading to assaults or robberies.

To file a successful Issaquah premises liability claim, you need to prove property owner negligence, meaning they either knew or should have known about potential hazards and failed to take steps to address it. That’s where getting experienced legal guidance comes in.

Steps to Take After a Retail Injury in Issaquah

The Washington State Department of Health warns that falls and other injuries that can happen in public places can result in broken bones, torn muscles, and trauma to the back, head, or neck. If you were injured while shopping or visiting a business, here’s what to do:

• Notify the store manager or supervisor and ask for a copy of the incident report.
• Take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and any surrounding conditions (such as lighting, signage, or wet floors).
• If anyone saw what happened, ask for their name and phone number.
• Even if injuries seem minor at first, they may worsen later, and medical records are critical for your case.
• Avoid statements to insurance adjusters, which can be used against you.

Injured in a Store or Public Place? Request A Consultation With Our Issaquah Premises Liability Attorney

If you get injured while visiting a store, restaurant, or other commercial property in Issaquah, compensation is available for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. At Injury Law Group NW, our Issaquah personal injury attorney understands the unique challenges of premises liability claims and fights to hold negligent property owners accountable. Call or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with our Issaquah premises liability attorney.

Sources:

app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=4.24.210

doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/injury-and-violence-prevention/older-adult-falls/fall-prevention-resources