Slip and fall accidents are common and often result from the negligent or reckless conduct of property owners, tenants and property management companies. Nonetheless, private, commercial, and public property owners have a duty to provide visitors and passersby with a safe environment. If you have been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, you need to consult an experienced personal injury attorney.
Cooper Schall and Levy is a premier personal injury practice serving clients throughout the Philadelphia area, including Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster, and Philadelphia Counties, as well as New Jersey. Well-versed in the related premises liability laws, we know how to hold negligent property owners accountable for injuries arising from slip and fall accidents. When you work with us, we will provide you with powerful representation and caring, efficient service. Our slip and fall attorneys will do everything in their power to help you achieve the maximum possible recovery.
What is premises liability?
Premises liability laws require private, commercial, and public property owners in Philadelphia to maintain their property and provide a safe environment to pedestrians and visitors: neighbors, patrons, passersby, vendors, mail carriers, and others. To have a valid slip and fall claim, you must be able to show that the property owner failed to properly maintain the property and/or failed to warn you of an existing hazard. You must also be able to prove that the property owner was aware, or should have been aware of the hazard, and failed to protect you from being injured on the premises. The best decision you can make to protect yourself after a slip and fall accident is to enlist the services of Cooper Schall and Levy.
Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can result from all types of hazards, including:
- Wet, icy, or slippery surfaces
- Broken steps
- Poorly secured bannisters
- Torn or uneven carpeting
- Debris/obstructed walkways
- Poorly lit walkways or hallways
- Uneven or warped flooring
- Poorly secured rugs
More often than not, slip and fall accidents occur after the property owner has failed to (1) warn visitors about a hazardous condition and (2) take prompt action to remedy the hazard. In such cases, the negligent property owner can be held liable through a premises liability lawsuit.
Common Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control reports the most common injuries arising from slip and fall accidents are as follows:
- Hip fractures
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Fractures and sprains
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
The severity of these injuries depends on factors such as the type of fall — from a height, downstairs, off a ladder, on a raised or broken sidewalk — and on the fitness level and/or age of the accident victim since older individuals are especially vulnerable to serious injuries after a slip and fall accident.
Damages You May Recover in a Premises Liability Lawsuit
If the property owner neglected to remedy a hazard or remove dangerous obstacles in a timely manner and failed to warn you about a hazardous condition, you may be awarded compensation that includes monetary and nonmonetary damages. As the name implies, monetary damages cover financial losses such as lost wages, medical expenses, and loss of earning capacity. Nonmonetary damages are awarded to compensate you for pain and suffering, permanent disability and loss of enjoyment of life.
It is important to note that slip and fall accidents in Philadelphia fall under Pennsylvania’s laws of comparative negligence. This means that the amount of your recovered damages will be reduced if you contributed to the slip and fall accident in any way. If you slipped on a spill at a neighbor’s house because you were not aware of your surroundings, an insurance claims adjuster or jury may assign 20 percent of the fault to you. Therefore, if the amount of your damages was assessed at $20,000, the final amount of you award will be reduced by $4,000 to $16,000 ($20,000 X .20 =$4,000). Working with a skilled slip and fall attorney will give you the best chance of receiving the highest possible damages.
Contact Our Philadelphia Slip and Fall Attorneys
Despite the fact that property owners have a duty of care to provide a safe environment to visitors, slip and fall accidents are common in Philadelphia. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a property owner’s negligence, you have a right to file a premises liability lawsuit to obtain compensation. Nonetheless, going up against an insurance company alone can be daunting, which makes having aggressive legal representation crucial.
The slip and fall attorneys at Cooper Schall and Levy will work closely with you to make sure you receive just compensation. We have the negotiating skills that can help you obtain a fair and reasonable settlement. We are, however, fully prepared to fight for you in court when necessary. Above all, we will always put your best interests first and stand by you every step of the way. Because all slip and fall claims are handled on a contingency basis, you will not pay any attorneys’ fees to us until we win compensation for you. The sooner you contact our office, the sooner we can help you get back on your feet.
Cooper Schall & Levy personal injury lawyers serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as well as neighboring counties such as Montgomery County and Delaware County and cover neighborhoods such as Norristown and Drexel Hill.
