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Heavens Law Offices

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident Attorney

Slip and fall accidents involve slipping, tripping, or falling due to dangerous premises conditions. These incidents may occur inside or outside a building and result from any number of types of building defects: bad flooring, standing water, poor lighting, or weather-related hazards.

All slip and fall accidents are covered by negligence law and deal with the concept of premises liability. Property owners have a “duty of care” to see that their property is safe. This includes insuring that the building has no structural defects that could cause an accident, both inside and out. In some states the property owner may also have a duty to reduce problem areas caused by weather. Structural defects can include: loose floor mats, rugs, or tiles; water on the floor; poorly lit stairs or steps; cracks or holes in sidewalks or parking lots. Weather-related hazards may include standing water and icy spots. A plaintiff or claimant also has a duty to exercise reasonable care, so if any action of yours contributed to the accident, you may share in the negligence.

Slip and fall accidents are considered part of negligence law. Property owners are responsible to uphold a “duty of care” to maintain a safe property conditions for “entrants” – visitors – to the property. This includes significant structural and code issues as well as incidental problems such as those caused by weather and wear and tear. It is important to note that the property owner’s duty of care is balanced with the entrant’s duty of care: anyone visiting a property must exercise reasonable caution, regardless of how safe or hazardous conditions may be. Failure to be cautious may mean that the plaintiff shares in the responsibility for a slip and fall accident.

If you are involved in a slip and fall accident, take note of surroundings, get contact information from witnesses, take a sample of any suspicious substances, and document the scene with photos if possible. Report any accident to the property manager and owner and insist on a written record.

If you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, call Heavens Law Offices at 1-866-HEAVLAW, submit a free online consultation, or contact us. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.