Pennsylvania Slip & Fall Accident Lawyers

Helping People 

One million people will visit the hospital this year after suffering a slip and fall. Statistically, at least 50,000 of those people will suffer a bone fracture, whether it's an arm, leg, vertebrae, or hip.

Besides broken bones, slips and falls can lead to serious injuries such as:

• Head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries

Slip and fall accidents can be devastating, particularly for the elderly. They are also preventable. With proper precautions and vigilance, property owners and worksite supervisors can prevent the vast majority of fall injuries—but their negligence continues. Our attorneys believe they should be held accountable.

If you or a loved one were injured in a fall, speak with our Pennsylvania slip and fall attorneys at (888) 498-3023. If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.

Why Slip & Fall Accidents Happen

When a person slips, trips, or falls, there is a reason. While some may be quick to assume that the person was not watching where they were going or simply lost their footing, serious slip and fall accidents can often be traced to specific hazards, such as objects in walkways or uneven flooring. Property owners have an obligation to address these hazards and to warn others of their presence.

Slip and fall accidents are often caused by:

Our Pennsylvania slip and fall accident attorneys help people who have been injured after slipping, tripping, or falling at work or while at another's property. We handle cases involving slip and fall accidents at hotels, retail stores, apartment complexes, office buildings, malls, event venues, and more.

Accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and it's crucial for victims to understand the underlying causes to effectively pursue their claims. Often, slip and fall incidents are not isolated events but are symptomatic of broader issues such as poor maintenance practices or inadequate property inspections. By delving deeper into the causative factors, clients empower themselves with the knowledge necessary to hold negligent parties accountable and prevent recurring incidents.

Rebuilding After a Pennsylvania Slip & Fall Accident

Representing clients across Pennsylvania from offices in Harrisburg, Hanover, York, Carlisle, Lancaster, and Schuylkill County, our firm is committed to helping people rebuild after serious accidents. We hold negligent property owners accountable for the harm they've caused by failing to maintain their premises.

A slip and fall accident claim may allow for the recovery of compensation for:

• Medical costs, including ongoing treatment, therapy, and other care.
• Lost earnings, including loss of potential wages if temporarily or permanently unable to work.
• Emotional trauma, such as pain and suffering caused by the accident.

The purpose of a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit is to make the injured party whole again. After a serious accident, this can seem difficult, but alleviating the financial burden and seeing justice served can make all the difference. Our Pennsylvania slip and fall lawyers carefully evaluate each client's case to determine its fair worth, and we fight to pursue a settlement or award that helps them face a bright and stable future.

Rebuilding after such an accident involves not only physical healing but also financial recovery. Our dedicated team aids clients in understanding their legal rights and potential compensation avenues thoroughly. Navigating the complexities of insurance claims and medical bills can be daunting; however, we are here to guide every step of the way. Our relentless pursuit of equitable resolutions ensures that clients can focus on their recovery with peace of mind, knowing their legal matters are in capable hands.

Pennsylvania Slip & Fall Accident Settlement

In one notable Pennsylvania slip and fall case, a man named Glen Guy sued the U.S. Postal Service after he fell on a patch of ice while walking down a set of steps to reach a mailbox in Philadelphia. Guy fell backward and was subsequently knocked unconscious. He had to be transported to the hospital, and according to the complaint filed by his attorney, he suffered rib fractures and a pneumothorax fracture that required a chest tube to be inserted. The complaint alleged that the Postal Service breached its duty of care by failing to keep the area around the mailboxes clear of hazardous conditions, in this case, ice.

This case was settled for $28,000 outside of court.

Slip & Fall Accident Verdict in Pennsylvania

In another Pennsylvania slip and fall case, a Bucks County woman sued Pathmark and other defendants after she tripped and fell over a box that was being used as a doorstop. In the course of her employment, Barbara Ferguson was at the Pathmark on Franklin Mills Avenue when she tripped. According to the complaint, she suffered a dislocated right shoulder with four fractures, a fractured knee, carpal tunnel syndrome in her wrist, neck injuries, back injuries, and depression as a result of the incident.

The defense argued that Ferguson knew the box was being used as a doorstop because she admitted she saw the box on her way into the office. The manager stated the box had been used as a doorstop for some time without incident. This is a common defense used in Pennsylvania slip and fall accident cases, that the victim knew or should have known of the hazard, but this does not always release the defendant from liability. In this case, the jury ruled that the negligent acts of the defendant resulted in Ferguson's injuries.

A federal jury awarded Ferguson $800,000.

Proving Negligence in a Pennsylvania Slip & Fall Claim

Slip and fall accidents are serious, and they account for over 8 million emergency room visits each year. After a serious fall, the injured often have one question: how do you prove fault after a slip and fall accident? There are three key factors to proving fault in a Pennsylvania slip and fall lawsuit.

Three Crucial Factors to Prove Fault in Slip & Fall Claims

Duty of Care  

Like any other premises liability claim, individuals are grouped by which type of visitor to a property they are. A person’s visitor status defines how responsible a property owner is for their injuries. This is also known as duty of care. In most slip and fall claims, the injured person might be an invitee. An invitee is a customer at a store, an occupant of a rental home or apartment, or a client at a business. In other words, an invitee is someone who is expected to be on a property and should be protected by the owners of the property. Other types of visitors include entrants, licensees, and trespassers.

Was the Accident Preventable?  

The first step to proving fault in a slip and fall claim is by examining the property owner’s responsibility to the injured. An attorney will investigate the circumstances of a slip and fall accident and assess whether the property’s owner failed to ensure that it was safe for visitors. Courts will examine if a person was acting responsibly and if the surface that caused them to fall was adequately maintained or marked for danger.

Did the Property Owner Cause the Accident?  

This is the final, most important, and sometimes most difficult thing to prove during a slip and fall claim. An attorney will use evidence from the scene of the accident and the property owner’s duty of care owed to their client to prove fault. An experienced attorney can prove that the property owner owed the client care and was negligent with property maintenance, combining these factors to prove fault.

Proving negligence involves meticulous attention to detail and a comprehensive examination of all evidence. In addition to the duty of care, it is crucial to effectively document the scene, gather witness testimonials, and if applicable, collect surveillance footage. Our lawyers use a strategic approach, integrating these elements to construct a compelling narrative that underscores the property owner’s failures. Such readiness is vital to counteract any defenses mounted by property owners and their insurers, aiming to shield themselves from liability.

Premises liability cases are complex and challenging. Sometimes, the thought of blaming a person who likely was not even present at the time of an accident seems like a lofty goal. However, this is a real and valid option for those who need compensation after injuries. With our considerable experience handling lawsuits related to hazardous conditions and slip and fall accidents, our team is up to the challenge.

Common Slip & Fall Injuries & Their Impact

Slip and fall injuries can range from minor bruises to severe, life-changing conditions. Among the most common injuries are fractures, sprains, and head injuries. Fractures often require prolonged medical treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation, affecting the victim's ability to work and maintain their quality of life. Head injuries, even when they initially appear minor, can lead to long-term cognitive impairments, resulting in ongoing medical care and support.

Injuries to the nerves or spine necessitate extensive therapy and adjustments in living accommodations to enhance accessibility. Our approach is to assess the full scope of each injury's implications, helping clients secure compensation that covers all medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Statute of Limitations for Slip & Fall Accidents

Pennsylvania's statute of limitations requires slip and fall accident claims to be filed within two years of the incident. Failing to adhere to this deadline would result in losing the ability to seek recovery forever. In legal terms, two years is not a long time when you consider the investigation, forms, and depositions required to fully uncover the factors behind what happened to you. The less time a plaintiff has until their deadline, the more leverage the insurer has. 

Our firm acts quickly to prepare cases to maximize each client's recovery. Our proactive approach strengthens the odds of a successful settlement, addressing both immediate needs and long-term financial security.

Helping Victims of Slip & Fall Accidents in York, Hanover, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Lancaster & Schuylkill Counties

Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC fights for the victims of negligent property owners and supervisors. When people suffer injury due to a wet floor, a lack of safety railing, unsafe walkways, or any number of premises liability issues, our firm is the one they call. Our Pennsylvania slip and fall lawyers help our clients replace lost wages, afford medical care, file for workers' compensation, and whatever else they need to move forward. Our firm has been protecting Pennsylvania workers, pedestrians, and families since 1922.

We are one of the largest, oldest, and most established firms in Pennsylvania's history—and we are as active in shaping the legal landscape as we've always been. Our nationally renowned lawyers, led by a former deputy attorney at the Bureau of Consumer Protection, have won tens of millions of dollars for our clients. In short, we help people get their lives back.

Call (888) 498-3023 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case by a Pennsylvania slip and fall attorney. We're more than happy to help you explore your options.