Premises Liability Lawyer in Portland, Oregon
Slip-and-fall and other premises cases are often dismissed as minor — but a fall can cause broken bones, spinal injuries, or a traumatic brain injury that changes your life. Property owners and their insurers know these cases can be defended on technicalities, so they fight hard. I push back just as hard, and I move quickly to lock down the evidence before it disappears.
Common premises hazards
- Wet, slippery, or uneven floors
- Poor lighting in stairwells and parking areas
- Broken stairs, railings, and walkways
- Unmarked hazards and obstructions
- Negligent security leading to assaults
- Falling merchandise or debris
Proving a property owner was negligent
In Oregon, the duty a property owner owes depends in part on why you were on the property, but in general an owner must address dangers it knew about or reasonably should have discovered. The key is proving the owner had notice of the hazard and failed to fix it or warn of it. You can still recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, with your award reduced by your share (ORS 31.600), and the general two-year injury deadline applies (ORS 12.110). In rental housing, a landlord’s duty to maintain safe, habitable premises can also come into play (ORS 90.320).
A note on Portland conditions
Our wet winters make slip hazards especially common — rain-slicked entryways, icy stairs and lots, and poorly maintained walkways at apartments, stores, and parking structures across the metro. Owners are expected to account for conditions they know recur every year.
Compensation you can recover
- Medical bills — past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Rehabilitation and long-term care
Beating the “it wasn’t our fault” defense
These cases turn on evidence that disappears fast — incident reports, surveillance footage, and the condition itself. I move quickly to preserve the proof, and my trial readiness keeps insurers from dismissing a serious fall as your fault.
Frequently asked questions
Isn’t a slip-and-fall just my own clumsiness?
Not when an owner created or ignored a hazard. Oregon law focuses on whether the property was kept reasonably safe — and that’s what I prove.
What should I do after a fall?
Report it, get medical care, photograph the hazard, and get names of witnesses. Then call me before the property owner’s insurer cleans up the scene.
What if I was partly at fault?
Oregon allows recovery as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault; your award is reduced by your share. Don’t assume you have no case.
I was hurt in an apartment I rent. Does that change things?
It can help. Landlords have habitability and maintenance duties, and a violation can support your claim.
There is no cost to find out where you stand. Find out what your case is worth or call (503) 379-9933.
What you can expect at my personal injury law firm
Personalized one-on-one Attention
Commitment to maximizing a claim
Proven trial advocacy & Results
Careful case preparation
Consistent updates on case progress
My goal is to maximize your compensation. This can include expenses for medical treatment, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. No matter how complex your injuries and claim, I am prepared to fight for you.
