Philadelphia Slip And Fall Lawyer

Slips and fall accidents can lead to personal injury claims in Philadelphia. By taking some precautions we can reduce the risk of a slip and fall accident. However, if you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident resulting from someone else’s negligence, Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers can help you with your claim and stand by your side at every step.
  • Negotiating with the insurance companies when they try to trick you;
  • Handling the property owners when they are blaming you for the injuries;
  • Discussing your case with injury experts to get an improved understanding of the circumstances of your accident and the economic costs;
  • Analyzing the physical situation on the ground when the slip and fall occurred and how it happened.
Having more than 20 years of experience allows us to have a better analysis of the overall situation faced by injured victims like you.

Common Places Where Slip-And-Fall Cases May Occur

Philadelphia Slip And Fall AttorneyYou must always take care when walking near another person’s property. That means that you need to be careful and try your best not to slip and fall. If the sidewalk is wet and slippery, then you should avoid walking in the area.  Furthermore, if there are parts of the sidewalk that have been damaged or otherwise compromised, then it may be a good idea to take another route instead of using those sidewalks. It will avoid slipping and falling. There are several places where slip-and-fall cases may occur:
  • Government buildings
  • Museum;
  • Shopping mall;
  • Restaurant, bar, or nightclub, and more
Many people hurt themselves at work when they slip or fall. Furthermore, if you are confused about how to file a claim, you can consult a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

To help readers prevent as many accidents as possible, we have broken down the most common types of slips, trips, and falls that occur across PA. Understanding why these accidents happen can help avoid them. Taking reasonable measures for your safety is not only a good idea; it is the law. Many different types of hazards can cause people to slip and fall. Some of the common causes of slip-and-fall accidents:
  • Wet floors;
  • Poor lighting;
  • Uneven sidewalks;
  • Cracks in the sidewalk;
  • Debris on the sidewalk;
  • Ice and snow.
There may also be other dangerous conditions on the sidewalk, like protruding objects or even holes in the sidewalk. Regardless of what caused you to slip and fall, if someone else may have been responsible for making you fall, then you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

What kind of injuries are experienced in Philadelphia slip and fall accidents?

Slips, trips, and falls can occur on a wide range of obstructions and surfaces. The risk of injury from slipping or tripping is present every time one steps foot outside their home, but that doesn’t mean that you need to resign yourself to the fact that accidents happen. Slips and falls are the most common type of injury accidents leading to 
  • Broken bones;
  • Concussions;
  • Traumatic brain injuries;
  • Spinal cord injuries;
  • Cuts and lacerations;
  • Scrapes;
  • Bruises;
  • Wrongful death in extreme cases.
By being aware of the different types of dangers that could be present when walking on public property in Philadelphia you can reduce the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

What kind of damages are available in a slip-and-fall case?

You may recover damages for the following:
  • Current and future medical expenses;
  • Lost wages and loss of earning potential; 
  • Mental anguish;
  • Emotional distress;
  • Loss of consortium;
  • Loss of enjoyment of life;
  • Punitive damages for extreme negligent actions.
Further, the reimbursement may also include additional expenses including court costs, hiring experts if required, transportation costs, and other costs that may also be added to the amount. Take guidance from an experienced Philadelphia Slip and Fall Attorney who will help you in estimating the value of your case.

What to do after a slip-and-fall case?

Every step you take after a slip-and-fall accident will have an impact on your capability to obtain compensation. Some of the helpful guidelines that may prove to be helpful:
  • Documenting the accident scene: Collecting evidence by capturing pictures and contact details of the witnesses may help your case. You can even try to get a recorded statement on your phone that will prove to be evidence. 
  • Seeking medical attention: It is vital to get a thorough examination from a healthcare professional even if there are minor injuries. It will help build a potential case so the property owner will not deny your claim in the future. 
  • Discuss with an attorney: They will conduct a free case evaluation and will suggest to you all the legal options. Further, you will be protected from any low settlement offers and someone will not take undue advantage of yours. 
Along with these steps, you must also be aware of the claim process and collect all the documents required to pursue the compensation.

How can a Philadelphia Slip and fall lawyer prove negligence in your case?

After suffering a slip-and-fall accident in a restaurant or home or anywhere else, you need to prove the negligence of the property owner. It will help you in obtaining compensation when you hold them liable for their carelessness. You can take guidance from an experienced slip and fall attorney to prove the following:
  • Duty: Every property owner has a duty of care and is responsible for safeguarding their premises. The property owner owes you a duty of care only if you are a guest and not a trespasser. 
  • Breach of the duty: Breach of the duty of care happens if the property owner failed to keep their premises safe. They breached their duty of care by allowing dangerous conditions to prevail on their premises. 
  • Causation: Did the breach of the duty cause the accident? If the owner fails to keep the premises safe and that led to the injuries, they will be held liable for damages. Therefore, injured victims must gather medical records after a thorough examination.
  • Damages: There must be valid proof that you experienced losses owing to your slip, trip, or fall.
A Philadelphia Slip and Fall lawyer can help you file a premises liability claim by presenting evidence to prove that the owner of the property is responsible for injuries you sustained in a slip and fall accident.

How much time do you have to file a slip-and-fall liability claim?

All personal injury cases have deadlines which are called statutes of limitations. For slip-and-fall cases, injured victims have 2 years from the date when the accident occurred. Failing to file the claim within this time will usually negate your claim for damages.  If you are filing a claim against a government entity, there will be 6 months to give notice. After this notification deadline expires, the victim will face difficulty in pursuing legal compensation.

How to File a Slip and Fall Liability Claim?

Conditions that are unreasonably dangerous or hazardous, such as uneven pavement or poor weather conditions, can be grounds for premises liability claims. Once your premises liability claim is filed, your slip and fall attorney can contact the property owner or defendant with a settlement offer to avoid going to trial. Witnesses who saw the slip and fall accident should also be interviewed by an attorney, as their testimony can help in your case.

How to avoid getting hurt in a slip-and-fall case

To minimize the risk of being involved in any slip and fall case owners and property custodians can choose to adopt the following steps:
  • Clean any liquid spill immediately;
  • Walk carefully on clearly mopped floors;
  • Keep electrical cords away from open floor areas;
  • Store items in a safe place; 
  • Wear comfortable shoes;
  • Do not place furniture to block a walkway;
  • Maintain stairs properly;
  • Enable adequate lightning; 
  • You must replace any torn carpet;
  • Staircases must have hand railings.
Following these tips may help prevent any hazards and dangers.

We help injured victims by providing a free case evaluation

If your claim is strong, a Philadelphia slip and fall accident lawyer can help you recover damages by negotiating a settlement with the property owner’s insurance company and seeing that payment is made promptly. Our lawyers have experience handling slip-and-fall cases like yours. Contact us today to learn how we can help.

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident FAQ’s

1. Who is held liable if you fall on a sidewalk in Philadelphia?

Property owners must maintain the sidewalks that are near their property. If someone falls on a sidewalk that is located in front of a restaurant, the owner of that restaurant will be held liable for compensation.  The city has secondary liability for maintaining the sidewalks. If a sidewalk was cracked then the city may be held liable for your damages.

2. When can you hold the property owner liable for your slip-and-fall injuries?

There are three categories of premises visitors: invitee, trespasser, and licensee. An invitee is an individual who is visiting someone else's property as a guest for business purposes. In this case, the owners have a duty of care to free the property of any potential hazards. Trespassers are people who are not allowed to be on someone else’s property. In this case, the owners will only be held liable if they intentionally harm the trespassers. A licensee is one who is invited as a guest for some limited purpose. In this case, owners do not have to protect the invitees. However, warning signs must be displayed when there is any hazard on their premises. You can hold the property owner liable accordingly.

3. If you are out of work due to a slip and fall in a restaurant, will your wages be paid?

According to Pennsylvania law, if you are hurt due to the negligent actions of someone else, you will be paid for your lost income. However, you need to prove that your injury is the result of the negligence of the property owner. You may then file a claim for lost wages.