Most people associate serious accidents with careless motorists. However, the truth is, people are equally put at risk when they set foot on a property owned by a careless property owner. If you are someone who has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you probably require financial compensation to help you get back on your feet again. That’s what we’re here for. Please continue reading and speak with our experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys to learn more about how our firm can help. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Where Slip and Fall Accidents Most Commonly Occur in York County
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere; however, certain places and conditions seem to spawn more of these accidents than others. As such, familiarizing yourself with locations where these accidents are more likely to occur can help you stay alert to potential hazards that can result in serious damage.
High-Risk Locations in Pennsylvania
Slip and fall accidents commonly occur at:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Retail stores
- Pools, gyms, and other recreational facilities
- Hotels and resorts
- Apartment complexes
- Staircases
Common Hazardous Conditions That Can Cause a Slip and Fall
Unfortunately, there are a number of hazards that can result in someone sustaining a slip and fall. Common dangers include:
- Accumulation of snow and ice
- Wet floors without adequate warning signs
- Cords or items on the ground
- Cracked, uneven, or broken pavement
- Unanchored carpeting and loose floorboards
- Poor lighting
- Unsafe stairs and missing handrails
What You Should Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident in Pennsylvania
While some are lucky enough to walk away from a slip and fall with nothing more than a sore ego, others are not as lucky. Unfortunately, slips and falls can often cause serious injuries. This is especially true for older adults, as this was the leading cause of death for individuals over the age of 65 in prior years. As such, it’s critical to take the proper steps following your accident to ensure that you can protect your health and your right to file a claim against the negligent party.
Essential Steps to Protect Your Health and Your Legal Claim
After a slip and fall, you should take the following steps:
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police and request medical attention
- Report the unsafe conditions to the property owner or store management
- If in a retail or other similar location, ask to file an incident report
- Take photos and videos of the unsafe condition before it is remedied
- Obtain the names and contact information of witnesses
- Save all medical records and bills
- Contact a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney as soon as possible
Can I Sue a Property Owner After a York County Slip and Fall?
Slips and falls can result in serious injuries and subsequent damages. You may accumulate medical bills, lost wages, and emotional damages, among others, that render it difficult to make ends meet. However, it’s critical to note that you do not have to bear the financial burden of someone else’s negligence. As such, you may wish to file a claim against the responsible party to recover the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Premises Liability
To sue a property owner after an injury, you will have to prove that you were injured as a direct result of his or her negligence. As long as you can demonstrate the following elements, you are likely to hold the owner liable:
- There was a dangerous condition on the property,
- The property owner knew, or should have reasonably known about the safety hazard present,
- The property owner failed to fix the problem,
- You were injured as a result
Duty of Care and Status on the Property
It is also important to understand that Pennsylvania, like most states, assigns different duty of care principles to those on another person’s property. Essentially, invitees (like customers in a store or tenants in a building) are owed the highest duty of care. Licensees (social guests) are owed a moderate duty of care, while trespassers are owed a very limited duty of care. As such, your presence on the property will impact the compensation you are able to recover.
Examples of Negligence
Common examples of negligence that can lead to a slip and fall include:
- Employees in a store are failing to place a wet floor sign after mopping
- A landlord failing to salt icy steps
- A homeowner who leaves their walkway covered in snow
- A municipality that fails to fix dangerous public sidewalks, even after receiving reports
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania?
Under 42 PA Cons Stat § 5524, individuals have two years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit against a negligent property owner. If you wait any longer than two years, you will, generally, be denied your right to sue, no matter how badly you need the compensation. Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible following your slip and fall to avoid losing your right to compensation.
Contact Our Experienced Pennsylvania Firm
There is nothing worse than sustaining injuries at the hands of a negligent party, especially when the conditions that caused your injury could have been prevented. Now, you must recover physically, and you must also find a way to pay for your recovery. This is why if you or someone you know has sustained injuries due to another party’s negligence, you must contact the Law Offices of Ilkhanoff & Silverstein today. An attorney who is willing to fight for your right to a smooth recovery can make all the difference.
