Legal Rights and Responsibilities After a Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents can be caused by various unsafe conditions on public or private property, including potholes, ice, and uneven surfaces. These accidents often fall under the premises liability law. This law outlines the legal rights and responsibilities of property owners to maintain their property and warn visitors of unsafe conditions. At Philly Slip and Fall Guys, our trip and fall lawyers can help you protect your rights and pursue compensation for injuries resulting from an accident.
Premises Liability Law
In Philadelphia, the premises liability law outlines property owners’ responsibility to keep their premises safe. This includes removing potential hazards and providing warning signs for dangerous situations. These responsibilities keep visitors safe when on their premises. If you slip and fall because of a hazardous situation, such as a broken staircase or an uneven walkway, then you may be entitled to compensation under this law.
There are many different types of premises liability cases. These can include slips, trips, and falls on ice and snow, sidewalks, and defective escalators. They can also relate to specific locations, such as stores, apartments, city property, and gyms. Our team can help you determine whether your case is protected under premises liability. Slips and falls may result in various injuries that impact your ability to work and your quality of life. Common injuries seen in slip and fall accidents include lacerations, broken bones, whiplash, and back pain.
Legal Rights and Responsibilities
You have legal rights following a slip and fall, just as the property owner has legal responsibilities. As a victim of the accident, you have the right to seek medical attention promptly and document the scene. This can include reporting the incident to the property owner or manager and taking photos of the scene.
You also have a right to consult with a trip and fall lawyer from Philly Slip and Fall Guys to explore your legal options and pursue compensation for your damages and injuries. Property owners have a responsibility to cooperate with legal representatives to help resolve slip and fall claims. They should also have adequate insurance protection against these claims to protect their visitors in the event that an accident does occur.
Determining Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident
To receive compensation for your damages, the property owner or manager must be found liable for the accident. This means that you must be able to demonstrate that the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and had enough time to address it but failed to do so. Property owners are also expected to anticipate and address foreseeable risks on their premises. This includes hazards that could reasonably be expected to harm visitors, such as a leaky roof.
The property owner or their insurance company may try to counter claims of liability after your accident. Defenses that they can use include claiming that you were partially or fully at fault for the accident. They may be able to use this defense if you were trespassing or ignoring safety warnings. If you do not have adequate evidence or documentation of the scene, they may try to argue that you are over-exaggerating the incident or your injuries. Documenting the scene and seeking medical attention to get documentation of your injuries can help combat these claims.
Contact a Trip and Fall Lawyer
If you slipped and fell at an establishment in Pennsylvania, you may be protected under the premises liability law. A trip and fall lawyer from Philly Slip and Fall Guys can help you receive compensation for your damages. This can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and provide compensation for pain and suffering. Contact us today to receive a free case evaluation.
