Washington Premises Liability Attorney
"We Didn't Know About the Hazard" Isn't Always a Real Defense
Property owners in Washington have a legal duty to keep their premises safe — and "we didn't know" isn't a valid defense if a reasonable inspection would have caught the hazard. If you were injured because a property owner or business neglected to maintain their property, you may be entitled to compensation.
You may be wondering:
- Does it matter that I didn't see the hazard myself before I got hurt?
- Who's actually liable — the owner, a tenant, or someone else entirely?
- Will the property owner's insurer try to blame me for not being careful?
- Will anyone actually call me back?
Palace Law has represented injured clients across Washington since 1995, recovering more than $200 million for our clients. Call (253) 544-5935 today for a free consultation with our Washington premises liability lawyers.
Why Clients Trust Palace Law With a Premises Liability Claim
Premises liability cases hinge on proving the owner knew or should have known about a hazard — which means the investigation, not just the injury, is what determines whether a claim succeeds.
- We prove what the owner should have known. A successful claim requires showing the property owner owed a duty of care, knew or should have known about the hazard, failed to fix or warn of it, and that the hazard directly caused your injury — we build each of those elements methodically, not just assert them.
- A dedicated team, not a solo attorney. Every client gets a lead attorney, paralegal, and case manager, so you're never waiting on one person to call back.
- $200M+ recovered for clients since 1995, including a $16 million wrongful death settlement.
- 1,500+ positive client reviews and 30+ years of Washington-specific experience.
- A client-first fee philosophy — contingency-based, with no upfront costs.
Common Premises Liability Hazards
Broken locks or faulty security allowing assaults or robberies, loose floorboards or uneven pavement, poor lighting in stairwells or parking lots, falling merchandise or unstable shelving, exposed wiring, broken windows or doors, and unsafe pools or playgrounds.
Who May Be Held Liable
Business owners who fail to inspect and repair their premises, landlords or property managers, homeowners associations responsible for common areas, tenants with control over a leased property, government entities responsible for public property, and sometimes contractors or third parties who created the hazard.
What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident
Seek medical attention immediately — your health comes first, and medical records are critical evidence. Report the accident to the property owner, manager, or security. Photograph the hazard, your injuries, and surrounding conditions. Collect witness contact information. Avoid giving a recorded statement to insurers before speaking with an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter that I didn't notice the hazard before I got hurt?
No — the legal question isn't whether you saw it; it's whether the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about it and failed to address it. That's exactly the kind of evidence we investigate.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Washington?
Generally, three years from the date of the injury, under Washington's standard personal injury statute of limitations (RCW 4.16.080).
What compensation is available in a premises liability claim?
Medical bills (past and future), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and wrongful death damages for surviving families after a fatal accident.
How Palace Law Can Help With Your Washington Premises Liability Claim
Insurance companies and property owners often try to downplay injuries or shift blame onto the victim. We push back aggressively, with proven experience, local Washington knowledge, and no upfront fees — you don't pay unless we win your case.
Call (253) 544-5935 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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- Natalie S.
I had an outstanding experience working with Ciana on a personal injury matter. Without her expertise, I would have never realized that I even had a case. Ciana’s attention to detail and deep understanding of personal injury law were invaluable. She guided me through every step with professionalism and care, ensuring I understood the process and felt supported. Thanks to her diligence and expertise, what could have been overlooked became a well-handled case. I highly recommend Ciana to anyone needing a knowledgeable and dedicated legal professional.
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- Jay R.
Hailey was super helpful and communication was always prompt and professional. Thank you for all your hard work Hailey and the rest of the team at Palace law.
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- Former Client
They are an amazing team and made my case an easy process to cope with. They stayed in great communication with me every step of the way and fought to maximize my profit. Palace Law is hands down THE BEST law firm I’ve dealt with. Attorney John H and assistant Hailey make an amazing team.
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- Sharon R.
I highly recommend Palace Law for your work place injury. I would definitely use them again but hopefully I won’t have to.
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- John A.
I’ve spent the last 7 years working with them and it hasn’t been a easy ride but they work very hard to get the best outcome for there clients. Sandra has done an outstanding job keeping me informed of the process and keeping me feel safe and secure with my future. I couldn’t of asked for a better person and team to help me during this stressful time and working hard to get me what I deserved.
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- Chad F.
Exceptional legal representation! My experience with Kim was outstanding. She was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and dedicated to ensuring I received the outcome I deserved. Kim’s communication throughout the process was clear and timely, providing me with peace of mind during a challenging time.
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- Kelly Y.
Aria has been working with me and she is very thorough. I don’t get good sleep at night because of my injury but knowing that Palace Law is on the job gives me peace of mind specially, when they have employees like Aria thanks for letting me give my feedback and putting me in a position to give feedback.
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- Jacob H.
They have been entirely helpful since they accepted my case. Thorough and informative every step of the way. When I had an IME and no gas in my car they arranged for a ride to and from. After fighting tooth and nail myself with little to no results Palace Law stepped in and immediately Sedgwick stopped dragging me through the mud.
