Quick Answer
If you were hurt on someone else’s property in Portland, you generally have two years to file an injury claim in Oregon (ORS 12.110). Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees such as customers and guests, so a business that ignores a known hazard, a wet floor, poor lighting, a broken stair, or inadequate security, can be held responsible. You can recover even if you were partly at fault, as long as your share was 50% or less (ORS 31.600), and if the property is government-owned a much shorter 180-day notice deadline applies (ORS 30.275). A case review is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Have You Recently Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property? Goldberg & Loren's Portland premises liability attorneys have over 32 years of experience fighting for the rights of individuals like you.
Whether you slipped and fell, were attacked by a dog, or suffered any other kind of injury on someone else’s property, we have what it takes to hold the responsible party accountable. We are open now to meet with you in an online appointment or in person.
Call our Portland premises liability lawyers at (971) 339-8080 today for a free consultation.
A Message From George Goldberg
"Premises cases come down to one question: did the property owner know about the danger and do nothing about it? A wet floor with no sign, a dark stairwell, a broken railing, a parking lot with no security, these are not simply accidents, they are choices to cut corners. In more than 32 years of practice I have seen how fast a store or landlord’s insurer tries to say you were not watching where you were going. My job is to show what the owner knew, or should have known, and hold them accountable for every dollar you are owed. When you call, you work directly with me, not a case manager, and you pay nothing unless we win."
George Goldberg, Founding Partner, Goldberg & Loren
Our Verdicts and Settlements
A woman went to a retail store when she slipped and fell on a wet floor that did not have proper warning signs. She sustained a fractured wrist
On a chilly morning, a 44-year-old woman was walking along a public sidewalk when she slipped on a patch of ice that had formed due to a lack of salting and clearing. The fall resulted in a fractured ankle, requiring immediate medical attention
A man was leaving his apartment building when he tripped due to a loose handrail, leading to a fall that resulted in multiple injuries, including a broken wrist, 2 broken ribs, and severe bruising. The staircase had not been adequately maintained, and there were visible signs of wear and damage.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners to ensure the safety of individuals who enter their premises. A premises liability claim arises when a person suffers an injury due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property.
Types of Premises Liability in Portland
- Faulty Wiring: Exposed electrical wires or improper grounding can lead to electrical shock or fire accidents, causing burns, electrocution, or even fatalities.
- Broken Stairs: Loose or damaged steps can cause individuals to trip, slip, or fall, potentially resulting in broken bones, head injuries, or back and neck injuries.
- Dram Shops: One complicated area of premises liability includes holding establishments responsible for injuries related to serving alcohol on their premises when the individual who is drinking is already visibly intoxicated.
- Inadequate Security Leading to Injury or Assault: Public properties such as parks, amusement parks, shopping malls, grocery stores, and parking lots, as well as private properties like apartment complexes or office buildings, are all common areas where incidents can occur.
- Unsafe Sidewalks: Negligence in not clearing the sidewalks in a timely manner can lead to slip and fall accidents. Cracked or heaving sidewalks can cause people to trip and fall.
- Parking Lots: Parking lots can also present numerous hazards. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and loose debris can cause people to stumble and fall.
- Private Properties with Unsafe Conditions: Electrical malfunctions or exposed wires can create a hazard and cause electrocution or fire accidents. Loose shingles or tiles on the roof, can fall and cause harm to individuals below. Slippery or unmarked wet floors in bathrooms or entryways can also lead to slip-and-fall accidents.
If you are injured on someone else’s property or at a friend’s house, their personal liability coverage may cover your injuries if they were liable. [1]
Portland Property Owners and Their Duty of Care
Property owners have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of visitors on their premises, known as the duty of care. This duty of care extends to visitors, including invitees, licensees, and even trespassers.
Invitees are individuals who have been expressly or implicitly invited onto the property, such as customers in a retail store.
Licensees are individuals who have the property owner’s permission to enter the premises for their own purposes, such as social guests. Property owners should warn licensees about any known hazards on the property that could pose a danger and take steps to make the premises safe.
Trespassers are individuals who enter the property without permission. Property owners generally owe a limited duty of care to trespassers, but they cannot intentionally cause harm or set up traps to injure them.
Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must maintain a safe environment, regularly inspecting for dangerous conditions and promptly addressing any hazards that may arise.
Types of Injuries Commonly Seen in Portland Premises Liability Claims
Premises liability claims can result in a wide range of injuries, with some being more common than others. Some common injuries may include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): This type of injury occurs when the brain experiences a sudden jolt or blow, resulting in temporary or permanent damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): These injuries occur when the spinal cord is damaged, leading to a loss of sensation and motor function below the site of the injury.
- Neck Injuries: Neck injuries can range from mild strains or sprains to more severe conditions such as herniated discs or whiplash.
How Do Premises Liability Lawyers Get Paid?
Our local Portland premises liability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we don't require upfront payment or hourly fees from our clients. We enter into a fee agreement where we will only be paid if we are successful in securing compensation for our clients. In the event of a successful outcome, the lawyer will receive a percentage of the awarded settlement or judgment as their fee.
Statute of Limitations on Premises Liability in Oregon
In Oregon, the Statute of Limitations for filing a premises liability claim is generally two years. (ORS 12.110) Individuals who have been injured due to a hazardous condition on someone else's property have a limited period of time to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries.
The clock typically starts from the date of the accident, or the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered. Two other rules matter: under Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule (ORS 31.600) you can still recover as long as you were 50% or less at fault, and if you were hurt on government property, the Oregon Tort Claims Act (ORS 30.275) requires written notice within 180 days.
The Role of a Portland Premises Liability Attorney
If you find yourself in need of a skilled Portland premises liability attorney, we are here to help 24/7 - 365 days a year.
Our premises liability lawyers will fight to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
With Goldberg & Loren on your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that your case is in good hands. We will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable and help you recover financially from your injuries.
Contact Goldberg & Loren today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Portland injury lawyers.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us – Client Reviews
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Source:
[1] What If Someone Is Injured On My Property? (n.d.). Progressive. https://www.progressive.com/answers/someone-injured-on-my-property/
We Represent Those Injured on Other People's Property in the Following Cities and Communities Near Portland, Oregon:
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Vancouver, WA
- Clackamas County, OR
- Clark County, WA
- Columbia County, OR
- Multnomah County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Washington County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Yamhill County, OR
