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Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyers: What Makes a Slip and Fall Accident a Personal Injury Case?

December 30, 2016

Slip and fall accidents pose as a hazard to many consumers and visitors every day. It is all too easy to slip on a wet floor, or trip on uneven ground. In such cases, there is frequently confusion regarding responsibility and compensation. This is not helped by the general lack of clarity in the wording of many premises liability laws. Below are several tips and methods to help ensure the viability of a slip and fall accident case in Philadelphia. 

When Slip and Fall Accidents Lead to Liability

Liability in slip and fall accidents comes on a case-by-case basis. Consideration must be given both to the level of the property owner’s care and the potential carelessness of the individual who fell in determining responsibility for the fall. To determine that a property owner is held responsible for the fall, the case must fulfill the requirements listed below.

  • The property owner or an employee caused the spill or wear and tear that led to the slip and fall accident.
  • The property owner or employees were aware that the slippery or dangerous objects were underfoot and did not take steps to make the area safe.

Reasonable Steps to Prevent an Slip and Fall Accident in Philadelphia

Determining “reasonability” is one of the more difficult parts of a slip and fall accident case. Those responsible for the property must make a regular effort to check the premises for any potentially dangerous areas, and once found, must make an effort to clean or repair those issues. This does not mean that they need to be present and monitoring constantly. Generally, a reasonable effort simply involves regular and thorough checkups of any potentially hazardous areas.

Key Questions to Ask

If you have been affected by a slip-and-fall accident in Philadelphia, there are several important questions to ask yourself.

  • Has the dangerous spot (broken or bulging ground, torn carpet, wet or loose area) been there long enough that the owner should have recognized the problem?
  • If an object caused the slip and fall accident, was there a legitimate reason for the object to be there?
  • Was there a safer place the object could have been located, or a safer manner in which it could have been placed?
  • Could a barrier or warning have been given to prevent slip and fall accidents?

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. Determine Premises Liability in Slip and Fall Accidents

If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall accident and you feel the case fulfills the requirements above to some degree, the experienced Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. can help you win the compensation you deserve through premises liability laws. To begin working with us, call us at our Center City Philadelphia offices at 215-569-9100 or contact us online. We assist clients in Central Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Bucks County.