A slip and fall accident or a trip and fall accident can occur in a number of ways. Injury victims often find themselves on the ground with little recollection of exactly how the accident occurred, only to quickly find themselves in serious pain and in need of immediate medical attention. If you suffered a slip and fall accident like this, the Reading slip and fall attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm may be able to help you put your case together and file for financial compensation.
The slip and fall injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm have decades of experience representing victims of personal injury accidents and fighting to get them and their families the compensation they need. For help understanding your slip and fall case, contact our Reading slip and fall lawyers today at (215) 709-6940 to schedule a free legal consultation.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents
“Slip and fall” accidents, along with “trip and fall” accidents, are some of the most common accidents that fall under the category of “premises liability” claims. These accidents occur when a property owner fails to use the proper care or skill to keep their property safe, and pedestrians passing through the area or guests to the premises are injured. Slip and fall and trip and fall cases usually result from falls due to serious defects on the property or some other kind of wet or slippery surface that causes you to lose your footing. The following are all common examples of slip and fall or trip and fall cases:
Icy Sidewalk Cases
One of the most common causes of slip and fall injuries in the winter time occurs when property owners fail to clear ice or snow from sidewalks and footpaths. People walking through the area, especially guests arriving at the doorstep or lobby, expect to be able to cross safely. If a property owner fails to salt or shovel the walkways, people could face serious injuries if they slip and fall on the icy walkway.
Spills and Wet Floors
While mopping, custodians typically put up signs that say “Caution: Wet Floor.” This warns guests to the property about the potential dangers of the wet floor. Similar signs should be used to prevent injury after a spill or when a lobby or entryway is wet from rain or snow being tracked inside. Failing to promptly identify these dangers and either warn guests or clean up the spill can lead to serious injuries, especially if the flooring material is very slick or the spill is hard to notice.
Dangerous Debris
If building materials, rocks, gravel, garbage, or other debris is left on the property, it could be difficult to walk past or walk through these obstructions. Especially if the area is dark or poorly-lit, people could face serious injury tripping over or slipping on debris. Even fallen leaves – wet or dry – could obscure tripping hazards or lead to slip and falls.
Poor Lighting
If a stretch of sidewalk or open land is poorly lit, it may be impossible to see hidden dangers. Bumps and cracks in the pavement or uneven surfaces in the dirt or grass could lead someone to trip and fall if they cannot see where they are going, and it may be the property owner’s duty to light that area. Especially in the city, a property owner may be required to have adequate street lights or other lighting to prevent these kinds of accidents. In a stairway or walkway, lighting may be especially important.
Proving a Slip and Fall Case
To prove that your slip and fall accident was the property owner’s fault, your lawyer will need to prove that you were injured by their “negligence.” Negligence occurs when someone fails to use the proper care or skill required of them, which leads to someone else’s injury.
In the case of a slip and fall, the duty involved is often the property owner’s duty to clean up or repair hidden dangers. This is the duty that property owners owe “licensees” or other uninvited passers-by that are permitted to use the property. If you were on the property as an invited customer or other guest, the property owner may owe you an enhanced duty of care.
If the property owner failed to clean up, repair, or warn you about a danger, they should be held liable for any financial harm you suffered. This means you may be compensated for any damages that resulted from the accident, including lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills. You can prove these damages through a combination of financial records and testimony about the harms you suffered.
Call Our Reading Slip and Fall Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident or a trip and fall accident in the Reading, Pennsylvania area, contact The Reiff Law Firm today. Our Reading slip and fall injury attorneys represent the victims of serious accidents and their families, and we fight to get our clients the financial compensation they need for their injuries. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
