Slip and Fall

Here at O’Donnell Law Offices, we understand just how serious a slip and fall accident can be. In a single moment, your life, or the life of your loved one, can change forever. You’re not alone—these accidents are incredibly common. In fact, they’re the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries throughout the country. We’ve been evaluating slip and fall claims for decades, and we’re ready to talk to you about yours.

To make a case, it’s very important to establish that the property owner was somehow negligent. This means that they knew about dangerous conditions on their property and failed to fix them. When you come in and speak with us during your free consultation, we’ll go over all the details.

Examples of Dangerous Conditions

Pennsylvania law states that property owners have a legal duty to keep their property safe for others to enter. There are many hazards that they’re responsible for, including:

Spills or weather conditions that create slippery walking areas
Stairs that are broken or in disrepair
Handrails that are missing or not secure
Poor lighting
Uneven or broken floor tiles and loose carpeting
Sidewalks and entryways that are not cleared of ice and snow

If the owner knew about it and failed to fix it, any kind of dangerous condition on a property can be grounds for a slip and fall claim.

Is the Property Owner Responsible?

Many factors will determine if property owners are liable in a slip-and-fall accident. The first thing attorneys try to determine is how much the owner knew before the accident occurred. If the owner knew about the hazardous condition that caused your accident, there is a good chance they are legally at fault.

A case can also be made if the owner should have known about the hazard. Legally, owners are required to inspect their property regularly, correcting any dangerous conditions.

In some cases, a property owner may be liable if they knew about a hazard, but failed to warn people about it. If they didn’t post warning signs, place cones around the hazard, or in any way try to prevent people from going near it, they could be responsible for an accident.

In some cases, property owners actually create dangerous conditions. This is also considered negligence, as long as the owner knows other people will be entering their property. For example, homeowners cannot release rainwater from their downspout onto a sidewalk, as it could create a slippery condition.

Keep in mind that property owners aren’t legally required to know about a hazardous condition that just occurred. A slip-and-fall attorney can investigate how long the property owner knew, or should have known, about the condition.

We Can Uncover the Truth

If you’ve been hurt, you need answers. It’s our job to make sense of all the details. We’re happy to go over your case, give you the advice you need, and, once we’ve made sure you have a claim, fight for the justice you deserve. Call O’Donnell Law Offices today at (570) 821-5717 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.