Slip & Fall Accidents

Montgomery County Slip and Fall Attorney

Slip and fall accidents remain a serious problem both in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. Indeed, the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) reports that fall accidents lead to approximately eight million emergency rooms trips each single year. Slip and falls account for more than one million of those ER visits. Dishearteningly, the vast majority of slip and falls are preventable. These accidents often occur only because a property owner or Montgomery County business failed to remove a safety hazard of fix a property defect.

The simple truth is that Philadelphia area businesses and property owners must do more to improve safety on their premises. If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a slip and fall accident that happened on someone else’s property, you need to contact an experienced Norristown personal injury attorney who can help you seek fair compensation.

Four Things You Need to Do After a Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Accident

  1. Get Medical Help – If you suffered an injury in your slip and fall accident, you should seek medical help. Of course, if your injuries are severe, immediate emergency attention may be required. However, even if your injuries are short of a true emergency, you should still get yourself to a doctor. You need to look out for your health and well being. It is always a best practice to get a comprehensive medical evaluation after any accident. If you are planning on pursuing a legal claim, a visit to the doctor is required. You cannot bring a successful personal injury case without the proper supporting medical documentation.
  2. Report Your Accident – Fall accident victims have a legal duty to report their accident to the property owner or property management company. You should never just assume that the property owner already ‘knows’ about your incident. Be sure to report your accident and your injuries in writing. Your report does not need to be detailed; just simply give notice of the accident. If you fail to do this, you may have difficulty recovering compensation.
  3. Collect Supporting Evidence – You should start thinking about securing evidence as soon as possible after your accident. After all, a successful legal claim requires compelling supporting evidence. Some of the most common types of evidence that are used in slip and fall accident cases include:
    • Medical records and documents;
    • Photographs of your bruises and your other injuries;
    • Photographs of the accident scene, especially of any remaining property defects; and
    • Supporting statements from any eyewitnesses.
  4. Consult With an Attorney – Finally, slip and fall victims should always work with an experienced personal injury attorney. Most often, injured parties are required to seek compensation from a big insurance company. Sadly, these insurance companies try to do anything possible to limit settlement offers and, if they can, to deny injury claims outright. In order to hold the insurance company accountable, you need to get an attorney by your side early on in the claims process.

Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

While some slip and fall accident injuries are relatively minor, many others are very serious. In some cases, slip and fall injuries can even be permanently disabling. Many slip and fall accident injuries require expensive, long lasting medical care. Some of the most common injuries that our attorneys see include:

  • Joint and ligament damages,
  • Severe contusions;
  • Soft tissue damage;
  • Back injuries and spinal cord damages;
  • Broken bones; and
  • Concussions, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Proving Liability in Slip and Fall Accident Case

Section 7102 of the General Assembly Statutes governs liability for Pennsylvania accidents. Under the law, an entity can be held legally liable for another person’s damages whenever their negligence contributed to the accident. In broad terms, negligence is the failure to take proper care. To hold a property owner liable in this type of case, your Philadelphia slip and fall accident attorney will need to prove each of the following three things:

  • Dangerous conditions existed on the property: First and foremost, slip and fall plaintiffs will need to establish that their accident was caused by an unreasonable danger that was present on the property. Unreasonable tripping dangers can come in many different forms, from wet floors and tattered rugs to loose cords.
  • The property owner had actual or constructive knowledge: After proving that an unreasonable danger actually existed, victims will then need to prove that the property owner or manager knew or should have known about the presence of safety hazard. In Pennsylvania, ignorance cannot be used as a legal shield. Property owners have a legal duty to regularly inspect their property and to keep it in safe condition.
  • The property owner failed to take corrective action: Finally, slip and fall plaintiffs must also prove that the property owner could have taken remedial action to remove (or reduce the impact of) the safety hazard, but that they failed to do so.

Victims Deserve Fair Compensation

Victims are entitled to seek compensation for the full value of their losses. You can seek recovery for both monetary losses and noneconomic damages. The precise nature of how much you will be able to recover will always depend on the unique circumstances involved in your case. Our lawyers will help you fight for the maximum possible financial recovery available under the law. Some of the specific types of damages you may be able to obtain include:

  • Emergency medical expenses, including ambulance fees;
  • Other medical bills, including for hospital stays and follow-up appointments;
  • Costs associated with physical rehabilitation;
  • Lost income, including diminished earning capacity;
  • Long-term disability;
  • Pain and suffering; and
  • Loss of life enjoyment.

Request Your Free Legal Consultation Today

At The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, our Montgomery County premises liability attorneys have extensive experience handling slip and fall cases. We can help you hold a negligent property owner liable for your damages. To learn more about exactly what our team can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact our Norristown office today by calling us locally at (267) 427-2620 or toll free at (877) 825-8542. Initial legal consultations are always free of charge.

Norristown Office
Attorneys Gabriel Levin and John Mattiacci at The Levin Firm welcome the opportunity to meet and work with you.
Toll Free: 877.825.8542