Summer Hazards and Your Rights: When to Call a Premises Liability Lawyer

Summer in Washington means longer days, more sunshine, and plenty of outdoor activities. From family pool parties to public festivals and local sports leagues, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season. But with all that fun comes a surprising risk: property-related accidents.

At Capital Injury Law, we often hear from people who were injured in what seemed like a simple slip, trip, or fall—only to later discover the property owner had failed to maintain safe conditions. These incidents fall under an area of law called premises liability, and they’re more common than you might think.

A knowledgeable premises liability lawyer can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal steps toward recovery. If you or someone you love has been injured on someone else’s property—whether at a private home, public park, retail store, or event venue—you may be entitled to compensation.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners (or those managing a property) to maintain a safe environment for guests, visitors, and in some cases, even trespassers. When they fail to do so and someone gets hurt as a result, they may be held financially responsible in a personal injury claim.

One of the most common examples is a slip and fall or trip and fall accident—especially in summer, when foot traffic increases and outdoor areas are more heavily used. But premises liability also covers other dangerous conditions, like:

• Unfenced or unsupervised swimming pools
• Broken or uneven walkways
• Inadequate lighting in stairwells or parking lots
• Poorly maintained decks, porches, or bleachers
• Hidden hazards like holes, wires, or debris

In short, if a property owner’s negligence led to your injury, you have the right to seek compensation.

Summer’s Hidden Dangers: Why These Months Matter

Summer brings a unique set of risks that property owners must take seriously. During the warmer months, there are a few particular premises-related risks to watch out for.

1. Outdoor Gatherings and Recreational Areas

People flock to parks, beaches, outdoor venues, and private backyards in the summer. From a local concert to a neighborhood barbecue, these events often bring crowds—and with them, the potential for overcrowded or poorly maintained spaces. Uneven ground, exposed cords, slippery patios, and lack of crowd control can all lead to accidents.

2. Swimming Pools

Unfenced or improperly secured pools pose a major danger, especially to children. According to the CDC, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death in kids aged 1–4. Property owners have a duty to restrict access, post safety signage, and regularly inspect equipment like diving boards or ladders. If they don’t, the consequences can be tragic—and legally actionable.

3. Sports and Recreation

Organized games, summer camps, and spontaneous pickup matches bring joy and exercise, but they can also lead to recreational injury when facilities aren’t properly maintained. A loose board on a basketball court or broken bleacher at a softball game isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a liability issue.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Premises liability claims typically target the person or entity responsible for the property at the time of the accident. This might include homeowners or renters, business owners, government agencies (for public parks or sidewalks), property managers or landlords, or event organizers.

In some cases, more than one party may share liability—for example, a homeowner and a contracted landscaper, or a business and its cleaning service. A premises liability attorney will investigate the details to identify all potentially responsible parties and build a strong case.

How a Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help

Getting hurt is stressful enough. Navigating insurance claims, medical bills, and legal paperwork on top of recovery? That’s overwhelming. This is where having an experienced premises liability lawyer makes all the difference.

At Capital Injury Law, we help clients by:

• Investigating the cause of the accident: We examine the scene, speak with witnesses, and gather photographic and physical evidence.
  
• Determining legal responsibility: Was the property owner negligent? Did they fail to fix or warn about a hazard?
  
• Handling communication: We deal with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel so you don’t have to.
  
• Fighting for compensation: That may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care needs, and more.

Most importantly, we take the pressure off you. You focus on healing—we’ll handle everything else.

Understanding “Slip and Fall” vs “Trip and Fall” Injuries

While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences that matter when building a legal case. A slip and fall usually involves a loss of traction on a wet or slick surface, like a poolside patio, wet grocery floor, or algae-covered deck. Alternatively, a trip and fall involves catching your foot on an uneven or unexpected object—like a raised sidewalk, exposed cable, or broken tile.

Both can lead to serious injuries like concussions, broken bones, spinal injuries, and even traumatic brain injury (TBI). Both can also be the basis of a premises liability claim if negligence played a role.

What to Do After a Premises-Related Injury

If you’re hurt on someone else’s property this summer, take these steps to protect your health and your rights:

1. Seek medical attention – Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so don’t skip this step.
   
2. Document everything – Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and anything that may have contributed to the fall.
   
3. Report the incident – If it happened in a business or public place, make sure there’s an official report.
   
4. Gather contact information – Witnesses or employees may help support your case later.
   
5. Talk to a lawyer – Don’t deal with insurers or property owners alone. A legal advocate can guide you through the process.

You Deserve a Safe Summer—and Justice if You’re Hurt

At Capital Injury Law, we believe that everyone deserves to enjoy the season without fear of unsafe conditions ruining their summer—or their life. Property owners have a duty to maintain their spaces, and when they fail, they must be held accountable.

Whether you’ve suffered a slip and fall, a pool-related injury, or were hurt at a summer event, our compassionate and experienced team is here to help. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll an accident can take, and we’re ready to stand by your side every step of the way.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Contact Capital Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable premises liability lawyer. We’ll listen, advise, and fight for the compensation you deserve—so you can focus on healing and enjoying the summer again.