Can You Sue Someone for a Trip and Fall?
Property owners are responsible for maintaining their premises and preventing hazards that could cause someone harm. If you trip and fall on a commercial property or private residence and hurt yourself, you may be entitled to compensation. A trip and fall lawyer can help you file a lawsuit with the insurance company, navigate the legal complications, and receive fair compensation. Here is more information about this legal situation:
Premises Liability
Trip and fall accidents in Philadelphia are usually cases of premises liability. This legal concept holds property owners accountable for maintaining safe conditions on their premises. This can include maintaining and preventing potholes, uneven sidewalks, and hazardous conditions in staircases. Property owners have a responsibility to make sure visitors aren’t exposed to dangerous conditions that could harm them. This applies to owners of private or commercial properties. If you sustained an injury on someone else’s property, you can file a lawsuit for compensation for your damages.
Establishing Negligence
To make a premises liability claim following a trip and fall, you must demonstrate that the property owner acted negligently. This could involve a situation like failing to clear ice and snow from the storefront. A few conditions that can help you establish negligence in your case include:
Hazardous Conditions
To establish negligence, you may have to prove that there was a hazard on the property. This hazard should be directly responsible for your injuries and resulting medical expenses. Hazards that can result in a trip and fall include inadequate lighting, uneven road surfaces, a lack of handrails in a stairwell, or holes in the carpeting.
Lack of Warning or Notice
If the property owner knew about the hazardous condition, or they would have known about it if they were completing reasonable maintenance and inspections, they have a responsibility to warn guests. If they did not place warning or notice signs, it may constitute negligence. They can also still be regarded as negligent if their provided signs were inadequate or poorly placed.
Foreseeability
Foreseeability refers to the likelihood of being able to anticipate an event. If an owner has an uneven step and is aware of it, it is reasonable to assume that someone could trip on it. It may be more difficult to prove foreseeability, especially if the property owner had no reason to be aware of the hazard. This is where a lawyer can help by providing evidence that your accident was foreseeable and preventable.
Compensation for a Trip and Fall Case
In a Philadelphia trip and fall accident, you may be entitled to economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages refer to quantifiable losses, such as lost wages or medical expenses. Noneconomic damages refer to pain and suffering, embarrassment, or foreseeable pain you may experience in the future. If there was severe negligence, you may also benefit from punitive damages. Our lawyers explore every avenue to secure the damages you deserve. To determine the compensation you may be entitled to, consult a trip and fall lawyer at Philly Slip and Fall Guys. We can assess the factors of your specific situation to determine whether you have a promising case.
Contact a Trip and Fall Lawyer Today
Trip and fall accidents can lead to injuries and financial burdens. Whether you tripped because of a pothole, uneven sidewalk, or damaged staircase, you can work with a trip and fall lawyer to advocate for fair compensation. This includes compensation for medical expenses, loss of earning potential, or pain and suffering. At Philly Slip and Fall Guys, we represent clients injured by hazardous conditions in the Philidelphia County area. Contact us today to receive a personalized case consultation.
