Alaska Premises Liability & Slip-and-Fall Lawyers

Serving all of Alaska · Free consultation · Contingency fee — no fee unless we win

Quick answer

If you were hurt on someone else's property in Alaska — a slip on ice, a fall on unsafe stairs, poor lighting, or a dangerous condition — the property owner may be responsible. Alaska law requires property owners to act as a reasonable person in keeping their property reasonably safe under all the circumstances (Webb v. City and Borough of Sitka, 1977). You generally have two years to file (AS 09.10.070), and Alaska follows pure comparative fault (AS 09.17.060). Choate Law Firm has represented injured Alaskans since 1980. Consultations are free and we are paid only if we recover for you. Call (907) 586-4490.

Alaska's property-owner duty

Unlike many states, Alaska does not sort visitors into rigid "invitee/licensee/trespasser" categories — it applies a single standard of reasonable care under all the circumstances (Webb v. City and Borough of Sitka, 561 P.2d 731 (Alaska 1977)). A property owner is not an automatic insurer of everyone's safety, but must take reasonable steps to find and fix or warn about dangers. Whether the owner acted reasonably — given Alaska's ice, snow, and darkness — is usually the central question.

Common premises cases in Alaska

Winter conditions make slip-and-fall injuries especially common here. Typical cases include ice and snow not cleared from walkways and parking lots, wet or damaged floors, poor lighting, broken stairs or railings, and inadequate security. Documenting the hazard quickly — photos, the conditions, and witnesses — is often decisive, because conditions (like ice) change fast.

Damages and cost

You may recover medical bills, lost income, and noneconomic damages such as pain and loss of enjoyment of life; only noneconomic damages are capped (AS 09.17.010). We work on a contingency fee — no fee unless we recover for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is a business automatically liable if I fell there? No. The question is whether the owner acted reasonably in keeping the property safe (Webb v. City and Borough of Sitka).

What if I was partly at fault? You can still recover, reduced by your share of fault (AS 09.17.060).

How long do I have to file? Generally two years (AS 09.10.070); claims against a government property owner can require earlier notice.

What does it cost? Nothing up front — contingency fee.

Sources

Webb v. City and Borough of Sitka, 561 P.2d 731 (Alaska 1977): https://law.justia.com/cases/alaska/supreme-court/1977/2888-1.html
AS 09.10.070 (statute of limitations): https://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-9-code-of-civil-procedure/ak-st-sect-09-10-070/
AS 09.17.060 (comparative fault): https://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-9-code-of-civil-procedure/ak-st-sect-09-17-060/

Disclaimer

This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Attorneys at Choate Law Firm LLC are licensed in Alaska, California, Hawaii, New York, and Washington (specific jurisdiction varies by attorney).