Who owns Philadelphia’s sidewalks? And under tragic circumstances, like those of a trip and fall accident, who is responsible for their dangerous conditions?

Philadelphia Sidewalk Trip & Fall Lawyers

You may assume that the City of Philadelphia is accountable for the conditions of its sidewalks, but governmental agencies enjoy numerous legal protections against the threat of legal action. In most instances, responsibility for the safety of Philadelphia’s pedestrians falls not upon the government but upon the owners of residential and commercial properties.

Sidewalk Trip & Fall Accidents In Philadelphia

Were you injured in a trip and fall accident on Philadelphia’s sidewalks? Did you trip over a broken or uneven, cracked or raised sidewalk flagstone?

In this time of need, you may be suffering from serious injuries. Sidewalk trip and fall accidents commonly result in severe ankle, leg, and knee injuries, many of which require surgery.

The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Philly Slip and Fall Guys have helped many Philadelphia residents like you recover with peace of mind. Whether we are strengthening insurance claims or pursuing justice in a court of law, our trip and fall attorneys always work aggressively for our clients’ best interests. You may be entitled to valuable compensation – covering everything from medical expenses and lost wages to pain and suffering.

Who Is Liable For Philadelphia’s Sidewalks?

When it comes to sidewalks, the City of Philadelphia is “secondarily liable” for accidents occurring on their property. If a trip and fall accident takes place on a sidewalk in front of a privately-owned business or home, the business or residence owner is primarily responsible for maintaining their sidewalk in a hazard-free state.

Trip & Fall Accidents On Sidewalks Owned By The City of Philadelphia

Injuries sustained in trip and fall accidents on sidewalks owned by governmental agencies, like the City of Philadelphia and local school districts, are exceedingly difficult to pursue as personal injury lawsuits.

In fact, local governmental agencies are immune to the vast majority of personal injury claims. One pertinent exception: claims pursuant to a trip and fall accident occurring on city sidewalks.

Can I Sue The City Of Philadelphia For My Sidewalk Trip & Fall?

If your trip and fall accident occurred on governmental property, the courts will interpret the law strictly, in the City of Philadelphia’s favor. Valid claims can only be made against Philadelphia if your trip and fall accident was caused by “a dangerous condition of sidewalks.” This definition limits viable claims to those involving defects in the sidewalk itself. Unlike trip and fall accidents that occur on private property, Philadelphia’s governmental agencies cannot be sued for failing to clean up potentially dangerous spills or debris on their sidewalks.

For example, if you tripped and fell on a broken, cracked or unevenly raised sidewalk owned by the city of Philadelphia, you may be eligible for compensation with the right trip and fall attorney’s assistance. But litigating trip and fall accident cases under these circumstances can become peculiarly nuanced. Many Philadelphians slip and fall on ice that has formed over a sidewalk’s surface. The City of Philadelphia will be immune to such claims. But if ice collected due to a sidewalk’s defect, like a pothole, a slip and fall accident claim may be pursued against the city.

For more information, visit our “Slip And Fall: On City Property” page.

Contact A Philadelphia Trip And Fall Lawyer

If you were injured in a Philadelphia sidewalk trip and fall accident, you know that insurance companies cannot be relied on to properly compensate accident victims. Instead, injury victims turn to the distinguished personal injury attorneys at Philly Slip and Fall Guys. Our trip and fall lawyers want to fight for your future, no matter the difficulties. For a free consultation, call (215) 268-6898 or complete our contact form.

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My experience with the law office was exceptional. From the amazing staff, paralegals and my attorney Keith Kofsky. Mr. Kofsky worked tirelessly on my case for two years. He's experienced, poised, excellent communication skills and one great negotiator. He had a way of explaining things to me that kept me calm during the process. Keith also keeps his word and is very involved with his clients and cases. We had a very favorable outcome and I can't thank him enough. So Keith once again, thank you very much.

Mathew Z.

Reaching out to a lawyer, coming from another state, not knowing if they are going to fight for you, I found Keith Kofsky and I was nervous as I had never dealt with a lawsuit before. Keith stepped in as if he were my big brother. As the year went on we had plenty of meetings, all to assure me that we had a case and there were no worries. Down to the last months, difficulties arose. The defendant was not willing to satisfy my case. Keith stepped in as he did all along, and heard what the defendant did not, which helped close out the case. He will go the extra mile for you. Thank you Keith!. Always, Gaynell Allen.

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The Philly Slip & Fall Guys has been amazing. Keith was very knowledgeable and had a lot of patience with me. I felt very confident on him and his team as they helped my case. I highly recommend this law firm with anyone who’s been injured from a pothole.