Slip and fall accidents are common, and they can lead to serious injuries. Do not disregard your injuries. The accident might not be a major disaster, but you have painful injuries and deserve fair compensation.
After a slip and fall accident, you may sue the person or business that owns the property where you were hurt. Property owners must make sure that the premises are safe for others. If they fail to maintain the property, they may be liable for injuries. You may feel pressure to let the case go because slip and falls are often seen as minor accidents. Just remember, you are hurt, and you deserve justice.
Call our slip and fall accident attorneys in Aston at The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 and ask for a private, free case review.
Who Can You Sue for Injuries from a Slip and Fall Accident?
After a slip and fall accident, injured victims may sue the person or people who own the property where the accident occurred. Slip and fall accidents often occur because of unsafe conditions on someone’s property. Even a wet floor can be a serious slipping hazard.
A property owner owes a legal duty of care to all guests invited onto their property and to guests who are not directly invited but are reasonably expected to show up.
What if You Slipped and Fell Inside a Business in Aston?
After a slip and fall accident inside a store or business, you can sue the business itself. A business, just like a property owner, owes a duty of care to guests, customers, and patrons to keep the premises safe. If conditions are unsafe and you slip and fall as a direct result, the business should be held liable.
What is a Property Owner’s Legal Duty in a Slip and Fall Case?
Property owners (including businesses) have a legal duty to keep property safe for guests, patrons, or anyone reasonably expected to show up. But what does this mean, exactly?
Generally, a property owner must remove or repair any known hazards from their property and make reasonable inspections for potentially unknown hazards. Remember, the property owner or a business operating on the premises owes this duty.
Can You Sue for a Slip and Fall if You Were Trespassing?
Generally, property owners or businesses do not owe a duty to keep the premises safe for unknown trespassers. For example, if someone entered a person’s home uninvited and without the homeowner’s knowledge and fell on the stairs, the trespasser could not sue for their injuries.
Can You Sue for a Slip and Fall if There Were Warning Signs?
You may sue for a slip and fall even if the property owner posted warning signs about the hazardous conditions. If warning signs are clearly posted and accurately describe the hazard and how to avoid it, you may not be able to prove fault.
However, if the warning signs were inadequate and not enough to prevent the accident, the property owner may still be held liable.
Are Slip and Fall Injuries Serious Enough for a Lawsuit?
One bad fall could result in fractures, head injuries, back injuries, or worse. A fall over a ledge or down a flight of stairs could be disastrous, and the victim may have extensive injuries.
Remember, even if you expect to recover fully, you may still pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages.
What Evidence Should You Have to Prove Fault for a Slip and Fall?
The mere fact that the defendant owns the property where you fell is not enough to prove fault. We need evidence that they negligently failed to maintain the premises.
Photos
Take as many photos of the accident scene as you can. After you leave for treatment, the defendant may clean it up and remove any signs that something was wrong. Your photos may be all that remains of the hazardous conditions that caused your fall.
Witnesses
Was anyone with you when you fell? Witnesses who saw you fall, or who saw firsthand the conditions that caused your fall, may be crucial. Their testimony can shed light on the property’s dangerous conditions and lend your claims more credibility.
Maintenance Records
When suing a business, we need copies of records related to property maintenance. This may include basic janitorial information, such as how often the floors are mopped, and more significant issues. If these records indicate an overall lack of maintenance, we may have a better chance of establishing fault.
Can You Sue for Medical Expenses After a Slip and Fall Accident?
You may sue for damages, including medical bills, after a slip and fall. Even if your injuries are not severe and are expected to fully heal, you can still claim damages for the cost of treatment. Even one trip to the emergency room can be costly, and you deserve compensation. Save all your medical bills so we can accurately determine what your claims are worth.
Can You Sue for Pain and Suffering in an Aston Slip and Fall Accident?
Even if your medical costs are completely covered by insurance, you can still sue for pain and suffering. These claims may include the physical pain of your injuries, psychological trauma from the accident, humiliation, and a whole host of other painful experiences.
If your injuries are severe or long-lasting, they may interfere with your quality of life, and we can include claims for damages for this loss.
Can You Be Blamed After Being Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Defendants may argue that the property’s condition was not the problem, but that the victim caused their own injuries by being clumsy or careless. They may try to argue that your footwear was inappropriate (e.g., high-heeled shoes) or that you were running when you should have been walking.
Even so, you may still sue the defendant. If the jury determines you to be partially responsible, your damages may be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. However, if you are more than 50% responsible, you may not recover any damages.
How Long After a Slip and Fall Accident Can You File a Lawsuit?
In Pennsylvania, you have no longer than 2 years after being injured in a slip and fall accident to file a lawsuit for the accident. If you wait too long to file your case, you may be time-barred from ever filing your claims in court, barring very special, limited circumstances.
Contact Our Slip and Fall Attorneys in Aston to Talk About Your Claims
Call our slip and fall accident attorneys in Aston at The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 and ask for a private, free case review.
