The Pacific Northwest is well-known for its many “wet weather systems” that sweep off the Pacific Ocean and dump rain, hail, and snow across the region. Usually, this is hardly an issue for Oregonians who are used to gray skies, but even PNW locals are not invulnerable to suffering severe injuries in inclement weather.
Property owners have an obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. Where the weather is a factor, this may require the property owner to take adequate precautions, such as sanding or salting icy walkways and stairways or piling snow along walks instead of letting it pile up. If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury in Oregon because of a property owner’s negligence, a premises liability attorney may be able to help you recover compensation for your losses.
What to Know About Oregon Premises Liability Claims Involving Inclement Weather
The legal concept of premises liability refers to situations where a person is injured on someone else’s property, either because of something the owner did or failed to do. If you invite someone onto your property, it is up to you to ensure that there are no hazards present that could cause harm or injury. Mostly this means looking out for potential dangers like holes in sidewalks or broken steps on staircases, but it also extends to weather-related hazards, such as snow or ice accumulation that could lead to a slip-and-fall.
How Weather Affects Premises Liability Claims
Weather alone cannot be responsible for an accident because it is beyond a property owner’s control, but weather can still be a factor in premises liability claims. In cases where the weather has repeatedly influenced certain hazards to the landowner’s knowledge, and they neglect to take action, they could be held responsible if someone suffers an injury.
Examples of Preventable Accidents
Special precautions may be called for when a storm has just passed. For instance, if heavy rainfall makes parking lots, sidewalks, or stairs particularly slick, it is up to the property owner to ensure that conditions do not pose an unreasonable risk of harm to visitors. This could include putting up warning signs or even squeegeeing puddles.
Oregon is tree-rich, and storms are common, so one significant issue is the potential for accidents caused by falling trees or limbs. Many times, these accidents can be avoided with regular maintenance.
Premises liability claims are not always cut-and-dry, and proving that a landowner was negligent despite the weather can be difficult to do on your own. Therefore, injured victims must seek professional legal counsel to better understand their rights and defend their claims.
Experienced Premises Liability Lawyers Representing Injured Victims in Oregon
Due to rain, ice, and snow, slippery stairways and walkways are a common sight in Portland and across Oregon. Whether you have slipped and fallen on another party’s slick walkway or suffered a different kind of weather-related injury on someone else’s property, reach out to an Oregon personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Rizk Law premises liability lawyers are committed to helping injured victims and their families get the justice they deserve. Our team works diligently to obtain the settlements our clients need to recover compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, missing wages, and other losses. Our legal team includes attorneys well-known for their litigation skills in representing our Oregon clients and working together to get the best results possible.
For a free review of your situation, call (503) 245-5677 or submit a completed contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
