Tacoma Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers Fighting for Victims of Unsafe Property Conditions

Slip and fall accidents in Tacoma can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re running errands, attending an event, or simply walking to your car, the next, you’re dealing with intense pain, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. These incidents often seem minor at first, but the consequences can be severe: broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or even permanent disability.

Under Washington law, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions for all lawful visitors. When they fail to uphold this duty, and someone is hurt as a result, they may be held legally accountable through a premises liability claim. Whether your fall occurred in a grocery store, apartment complex, retail center, or government building, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.

At Bernard Law Group, we represent injured victims across Tacoma and Pierce County. Our legal team has decades of experience handling complex slip and fall cases involving unsafe walkways, wet floors, defective stairwells, and neglected sidewalks. If you’re recovering from a serious fall, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. We’re here to guide you through the legal process, advocate for your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (206) 752-2233 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation with a Tacoma slip and fall lawyer. We don’t charge legal fees unless we win your case.

Common Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Tacoma

Slip and fall accidents in Tacoma occur in a wide range of settings, from busy commercial areas to residential complexes and government buildings. What they all have in common is this: someone failed to fix a known hazard, and an innocent person got hurt as a result. Washington’s premises liability laws make it clear that property owners must maintain reasonably safe environments. When they fail, they can be held financially responsible.

Understanding where slip and fall injuries typically occur can help victims determine whether negligence played a role in their accident. It can also guide future prevention and support accountability efforts across Tacoma’s neighborhoods, shopping districts, and public spaces.

Grocery Stores and Big-Box Retailers Pose Daily Slip Hazards

Tacoma shoppers face serious risks when visiting large retail locations like Safeway, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Costco, and Target. Wet floors caused by spills, recently mopped entryways, and tracked-in rainwater from customers’ shoes can all create dangerous conditions. If employees fail to clean up in a timely manner or forget to post warning signage, the store may be liable for any resulting injuries.

Under Washington law and federal workplace safety regulations, businesses are required to ensure that floors are dry, slip-resistant, and clearly marked when hazards exist. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration outlines specific standards for walking-working surfaces in retail settings, and the National Floor Safety Institute guides slip resistance and accident prevention.

A simple oversight, like neglecting a leaking freezer or failing to clean up a broken jar, can lead to a traumatic fall with lasting consequences. If the store had previous complaints or internal knowledge of a dangerous area, liability may be even clearer under Washington premises liability statutes.

Entryways and Rainy Weather in the Pacific Northwest

Given Tacoma’s rainy climate, stores are especially vulnerable to wet entry areas. Shoppers who slip on water pooled near entrances may suffer broken hips, wrist fractures, or traumatic head injuries. Stores must use water-absorbent mats, maintain adequate drainage, and routinely monitor floors during peak shopping hours. Failing to do so violates safety protocols and exposes visitors to avoidable risk.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges businesses to assess fall hazards during seasonal weather changes, especially in wet climates like the South Sound region.

Apartment Complexes and Rental Properties Are Often Unsafe

Many serious slip and fall accidents in Tacoma occur at multi-unit apartment buildings or rental housing. These settings are often plagued by broken staircases, uneven pavement, poor lighting, and neglected maintenance. Landlords have a legal obligation under the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act to keep shared spaces clean, safe, and functional.

When a tenant or visitor falls because of a missing handrail, slippery stair tread, or unlit walkway, the landlord or property management company may be responsible. These injuries are especially dangerous for seniors, children, and anyone with mobility challenges.

Stairwells Without Handrails Are Especially Dangerous

Falls down stairs are among the most catastrophic types of slip and fall incidents. A missing, loose, or improperly installed handrail can turn a small stumble into a life-altering injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that stairway falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults in the United States. In shared buildings, landlords must conduct routine inspections and respond promptly to tenant complaints involving stairs and railings.

Icy Walkways and Winter Negligence

Tacoma does experience ice and snow during colder months, and property owners must respond accordingly. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries outlines steps landlords and property managers should take to prevent winter-related slip hazards. These include salting pathways, shoveling snow, and placing warning signs near exterior steps. Ignoring these tasks could amount to legal negligence under premises liability law.

Parking Lots and Sidewalks Present Hidden Trip Hazards

Slip and fall accidents are also common in outdoor environments, particularly parking lots, curbs, and sidewalks near retail stores, hospitals, and transit centers. These surfaces may look safe at a glance, but hidden dangers like oil slicks, potholes, and raised pavement edges frequently contribute to serious injuries.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires sidewalks and walkways to be accessible, level, and free from tripping hazards. When businesses or municipalities fail to maintain these public-facing areas, they may be liable for damages under both federal and state law.

Parking Lot Surface Damage in High-Traffic Areas

Busy shopping centers like Tacoma Mall, Lincoln Plaza, and James Center often experience wear and tear on asphalt surfaces. If parking lots develop large cracks, potholes, or eroded wheel stops, visitors are at risk of tripping. The Federal Highway Administration emphasizes routine inspection and surface treatment to prevent these injuries. When owners fail to act on known maintenance issues, they can be held accountable for any resulting falls.

Raised Sidewalk Panels and Tree Roots

In older neighborhoods like Proctor or Hilltop, sidewalks often shift due to tree root growth or soil movement. Raised concrete slabs can catch a person’s foot and send them to the ground with no warning. If the city or adjacent property owner has ignored public complaints or inspection findings, liability may extend to a government entity or private landholder.

Government Buildings Are Not Immune From Liability

Tacoma city buildings, libraries, and public service offices also pose risks to residents. Although governments are afforded certain protections, they can still be sued for premises liability under the right conditions. When someone falls in a poorly maintained public building or on unmarked wet floors at a government facility, they have the right to pursue compensation.

The Washington State Office of Risk Management provides information on filing a claim against state or local government entities. These claims require a 60-day notice before a lawsuit may be filed, so acting quickly is critical.

Filing a Government Claim in Tacoma

Government-related injury claims must be filed using strict procedures. Victims must complete a tort claim form, submit supporting evidence, and allow time for the agency to respond. The process is outlined in detail on the Washington Department of Enterprise Services website.

Failure to follow these rules may result in a dismissed case, regardless of how strong the underlying facts are. That’s why consulting with an experienced slip and fall attorney is essential.

How Washington Law Handles Slip and Fall Liability in Tacoma

Slip and fall injury cases in Tacoma are governed by Washington state’s premises liability laws. These laws determine when a property owner can be held financially responsible for a fall-related injury on their premises. Victims must prove that the fall was not just an accident but the result of negligence, such as a failure to fix a known hazard, warn visitors of a danger, or maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition.

Understanding how liability works under Washington law is essential for anyone who has been injured in a fall. Proving negligence requires evidence, timing, and legal insight. The rules also differ depending on whether the fall occurred on private, commercial, or government property.

Washington Property Owners Owe a Legal Duty of Care

At the core of any Tacoma slip and fall case is the legal concept of “duty of care.” Under Washington law, property owners and occupiers must keep their premises reasonably safe for all lawful visitors. This includes customers in stores, tenants in apartment complexes, and guests in homes or public spaces.

According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 4.24.210, landowners who invite others onto their property for business purposes or social visits must take steps to prevent injuries. This includes inspecting the property, fixing unsafe conditions, and posting adequate warnings when hazards are not immediately repairable.

The Washington State Bar Association outlines this legal standard in its civil liability resources, which emphasize that failure to meet this duty may result in financial responsibility for injuries.

Who Qualifies as a Lawful Visitor

Washington distinguishes between three categories of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. The duty of care owed depends on the classification.

An invitee is someone entering the property for mutual benefit, such as a customer in a store or a delivery worker. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, including regular inspections and prompt hazard removal. Licensees, such as social guests, are owed a slightly lower but still significant level of care.

Trespassers are owed only limited protections, but even they may be protected from intentional harm or hidden hazards in some cases. The Washington Pattern Jury Instructions provide official language used by courts to evaluate these classifications during trials.

Proving Negligence in a Tacoma Slip and Fall Case

Slip and fall injury victims must prove that their injury was caused by the property owner’s negligence. This means showing that the owner failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure directly led to the fall and resulting injuries.

To establish negligence, four elements must be proven under Washington law:

1. The property owner owed the victim a duty of care
   
2. The owner breached that duty by failing to correct or warn about a dangerous condition
   
3. The breach directly caused the victim’s injury
   
4. The victim suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering

The Washington State Courts Self-Help Center provides guidance for individuals seeking to understand these civil standards. However, proving all four elements typically requires the support of an experienced premises liability attorney.

The Importance of Timely Evidence Collection

Time is critical in a Tacoma slip and fall case. Surveillance footage may be erased. Witnesses may forget details. Hazardous conditions may be repaired before they can be documented. For this reason, injured parties should act immediately to photograph the scene, request incident reports, and preserve their clothing and shoes.

The National Safety Council emphasizes the importance of prompt injury documentation, which helps legal teams recreate the conditions of the accident and prove liability in court.

Comparative Fault Rules in Washington May Affect Your Claim

Washington follows a pure comparative fault system, which allows injured victims to recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for the accident. However, the total recovery is reduced by the victim’s percentage of fault.

For example, if a jury finds you were 20 percent responsible for your fall because you were looking at your phone, but the store was 80 percent responsible for failing to clean up a spill, you can still recover 80 percent of your total damages.

This rule is codified in RCW § 4.22.005, which governs contributory fault in Washington personal injury cases. Insurance companies frequently try to use comparative fault as a tactic to reduce payouts, even when the property owner’s negligence was the primary cause. That’s why legal representation is so important in disputed liability cases.

Defending Against Allegations of Shared Responsibility

Victims should never accept blame without first speaking to a personal injury lawyer. In many Tacoma cases, defense teams argue that the injured person was wearing improper footwear, ignored warning signs, or was distracted at the time of the fall. However, these defenses often fail when examined against maintenance records, employee testimony, or video evidence.

Comparative fault does not eliminate your right to recover compensation, and Washington’s laws are designed to protect victims even in complex, disputed scenarios.

Types of Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents in Tacoma

Slip and fall injuries in Tacoma range from minor bruises to life-altering trauma. What may feel like a simple fall at first can lead to weeks or even months of recovery, permanent disability, or the need for ongoing medical treatment. These injuries can impact every area of life, from mobility and income to mental health and overall independence.

Washington law recognizes that a property owner’s negligence can lead to devastating physical consequences. That is why injured parties have the right to seek full compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Are a Leading Consequence of Falls

Falls are a major cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), especially in older adults. A TBI can occur when the head strikes a hard surface, such as a tile floor or concrete sidewalk. Even a fall from standing height can result in brain trauma, especially if the person hits their head on an edge, step, or corner.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of TBI-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States. Symptoms may include confusion, slurred speech, nausea, loss of consciousness, and memory problems.

Concussions and Post-Concussion Syndrome in Fall Victims

Concussions are a form of mild TBI but should never be underestimated. Many slip and fall victims in Tacoma report persistent headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and mood changes weeks after the accident. When symptoms last for more than a few weeks, the victim may be suffering from post-concussion syndrome, a condition that often requires neurological treatment and time off work.

The Mayo Clinic warns that this syndrome can significantly impair quality of life and often goes undiagnosed without specialist intervention.

Hip Fractures and Broken Bones Are Common Among Older Adults

Elderly residents of Tacoma are especially vulnerable to hip fractures during slip and fall incidents. According to the National Institute on Aging, over 95 percent of all hip fractures in older adults are caused by falls. These injuries frequently require emergency surgery, physical therapy, and lengthy recovery periods.

For older individuals, a fractured hip can lead to loss of independence or the need for long-term assisted living care. That is why fall prevention in public places, retirement communities, and residential complexes is so essential under Washington premises liability law.

Shoulder, Arm, and Wrist Fractures From Bracing the Fall

When people fall, they instinctively extend their arms to break the impact. This common reflex often results in fractured wrists, broken arms, or dislocated shoulders. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that distal radius fractures, a type of wrist break, are one of the most common outcomes of fall-related injuries.

Treatment for these fractures can include immobilization, surgery, hardware implants, and physical therapy to regain function. These injuries are particularly debilitating for workers in physical or hands-on professions.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Back Trauma Can Lead to Long-Term Disability

Falls that occur on stairs, elevated walkways, or uneven surfaces frequently result in spinal trauma. This can range from herniated discs to fractured vertebrae or, in severe cases, spinal cord damage resulting in partial or total paralysis.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation reports that spinal cord injuries are often permanent and require costly lifetime care. In Tacoma, stairwell falls and sidewalk missteps are leading causes of spinal trauma in apartment complexes and commercial buildings.

Lower Back Injuries and Chronic Pain After Falls

Even when the spinal cord is not compromised, back injuries from a fall can be debilitating. Herniated discs, nerve impingement, or soft tissue damage may cause pain that radiates into the legs or makes everyday movement difficult. The Cleveland Clinic highlights how disc injuries may require surgery, pain management therapy, and years of rehabilitation.

Insurance companies often minimize these types of injuries, but the long-term effects can be severe, especially for individuals with pre-existing back conditions or physically demanding jobs.

Internal Injuries Are Often Overlooked but Potentially Fatal

Some of the most dangerous slip and fall injuries are not visible on the outside. Internal bleeding, organ damage, or rib fractures can occur when a person falls onto a hard object or hits a corner during impact. These injuries can be life-threatening without immediate medical care.

The National Library of Medicine warns that symptoms such as lightheadedness, abdominal swelling, or confusion may indicate internal bleeding, a condition that often requires emergency surgery.

Rib and Lung Injuries From Impact to the Chest

Tacoma slip and fall victims who land on their side or chest may fracture ribs, which can puncture or compress the lungs. This can lead to difficulty breathing, fluid accumulation, or even a collapsed lung. The American Lung Association advises that these injuries be treated as medical emergencies, especially in cases involving respiratory distress.

Skin Injuries, Cuts, and Disfigurement May Lead to Infection or Scarring

When a fall causes the victim to scrape along pavement, tile, or concrete, the result is often severe road rash, lacerations, or skin tears. While these injuries may seem superficial, they often require stitches, antibiotics, and in some cases, cosmetic surgery.

According to the American Burn Association, road rash from friction burns can lead to infection, tissue damage, and permanent scarring. Injuries to the face, hands, or joints may also cause long-term mobility issues or emotional distress tied to disfigurement.

Contact a Tacoma Slip and Fall Attorney Today

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Tacoma, you deserve more than just an apology or a lowball insurance offer. You deserve answers. You deserve accountability. And most importantly, you deserve experienced legal representation that knows how to win.

At Bernard Law Group, we have helped thousands of injury victims across Washington recover compensation after serious falls caused by unsafe conditions. Whether your accident happened in a Tacoma grocery store, apartment complex, public building, or retail center, our legal team is ready to investigate your case, prove liability, and fight for the maximum recovery allowed under Washington law.

We handle every case with compassion, urgency, and attention to detail, and we never charge a legal fee unless we win your case.

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, and important legal deadlines are always approaching. Let our Tacoma slip and fall attorneys step in and protect your rights before it’s too late.

Call us now at (206) 752-2233 or fill out the form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation. Your road to recovery starts here.