In Washington State, property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to their premises. Part of this duty typically includes repairing any hazards or defects that could pose a danger to pedestrians. However, if a sidewalk hazard exists due to negligence on the municipality’s part, the municipality itself might also be held liable for injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents. 

When a woman was hurt after falling on a sidewalk in Spokane, she was able to recover a $100,000 settlement from the city while pursuing additional compensation from the parking-lot company that owns the adjoining premises. When assessing fault in these claims, municipal liability might be established if the city was aware of a hazardous condition but failed to take appropriate action to address it within a reasonable timeframe. Local ordinances and regulations might further define the responsibilities of property owners and municipalities regarding sidewalk maintenance.

The specific circumstances will determine whether you should pursue damages from a private owner, the municipality, or both in a sidewalk injury case. Even if a business or resident is financially responsible for fixing a crack in the pavement, if the city knows about the ongoing hazard and does nothing about it, the city could be at fault as well. Temporary conditions, such as debris or a slick surface due to weather, usually establish liability on the property owner’s part because the municipality would not have enough time to be aware of the danger. For longstanding hazards, a review of city inspection or maintenance records could be crucial in deciding if the local government was negligent by not taking action. 

If you seek to file a premises liability claim against a city due to a fall on a sidewalk or some other type of incident, special procedural rules apply. You should discuss your case immediately with a knowledgeable attorney who can explain how the principle of sovereign immunity affects personal injury actions against government entities.  

GSJones Law Group, P.S. handles sidewalk slip and fall claims as well as other premises liability lawsuits on behalf of Washington residents. From our office in Port Orchard, our attorneys serve clients from Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties. You can discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer by calling 360-876-9221 or contacting us online.