Hurt in a Fall?
Here’s What to Do Next.

Falls happen when hazards are ignored. Here’s how to know if you can recover compensation, and what steps to take first.

The Myth vs. Reality of Falls

People often joke about slip-and-fall cases as if they’re about clumsiness. The reality is different. Falls cause broken bones, concussions, spinal injuries, and lost wages. They happen because a step wasn’t fixed, a railing wasn’t secured, or a spill wasn’t cleaned up. These aren’t harmless accidents. They’re preventable injuries with real consequences.

A Case Example: Unsafe Stairs at a Business

Although we need to change certain details to protect identity, here is an example of the sort of case we have recently handled. A client was leaving a local business when the stair railing gave way beneath him. He fell and suffered a serious injury that required surgery and months of therapy. The business tried to argue he “should have been more careful.” But the truth was clear: the railing had been loose for weeks, and staff had ignored multiple warnings.

Our Dalton Law Office attorneys proved the danger was known and neglected. In the real case, the recovery paid for the client’s medical care and time off work. These payouts force businesses to repair the stairs or other hazardous conditions, protecting everyone who walked through its doors.

Nicole’s Take: Responsibility, Not Luck

Falls are often brushed off as accidents, but most happen because a danger was ignored. When a railing stays loose or a stair goes unrepaired, injury is inevitable. My role is to show the pattern of negligence, hold the property owner accountable, and make sure clients have the resources to rebuild.

“[Nicole’s] calm, warm way of helping a very scared client made what I was going through tolerable.”
— Barbara, 2019

What to Do After a Fall

  • Report the incident.
  • Get medical care, even if pain seems minor.
  • Take photos if you can.
  • Collect witness names.
  • Call a lawyer before you talk to insurance or anyone requesting a statement.

Your Next Step

If you were hurt in a slip-and-fall accident in the Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania or Pacific County areas in Southwest Washington, send us your name and email address below, or call the Dalton Law Office at (360) 213-0013 for a free case strategy session. We’ll fight for your recovery, your stability, and your future.