You have questions. We have answers.

Icy streets, holes in parking lots, unsafe stairs, toppling towers of products: many hazards can cause a slip or trip and fall. If you have been injured by a fall, you may have questions. Keep reading for answers to commonly asked questions.

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“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is a slip-and-fall accident?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “A slip and fall accident is when you fall or are injured on someone else’s property due to a defect or problem on their property.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What are common causes of a slip and fall?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The cause of a slip and fall can range from wet or dirty flooring, uneven sidewalk, to snow and ice allowed to accumulate on a parking lot or sidewalk. It may also involve injuries caused by falling products in a store. More details can be found here: https://pdfhost.io/v/67L5s5faz_NSC_Data_Sheet_495pdf.pdf”
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},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are slip-and-fall cases hard to win?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “It is common for property owners to argue that the person who fell is at fault. If, however, your fall was caused by a dangerous condition of the property, such as snow or ice, liquids, or uneven surfaces, you may have a right to recover damages. If you have been in a slip-and-fall accident, please contact us for a free consultation.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How long does it take to settle a slip and fall case?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Every case is different, and the amount of time it takes to resolve a case can vary. It is important to make sure that your lawyer determines who is at fault for the accident and understands your injuries. If you have been in a slip-and-fall accident, please contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How common are slip and fall accidents?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Slip and fall accidents occur every day inside stores and other buildings, as well as outside due to defects in surfaces and the weather. The National Floor Safety Institute website contains statistics about the prevalence of slip-and-fall accidents: https://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/”
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},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is duty of care?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “In Pennsylvania, the person or company who owns or controls property owes a duty of care to individuals who enter onto that property. The owner or tenant on that property may be responsible if someone slips and falls or is injured due to a dangerous condition they allowed on the property.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who should a slip and fall liability lawsuit be made against?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Generally, slip and fall lawsuits are brought against the owner or possessor of the property, such as the owner or tenant in charge of the property. It may also be brought against a management company or snow removal company if they are responsible for the dangerous condition that caused injury.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is premises liability the same as negligence?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “In premises liability cases, you must prove that the defendant negligently breached a duty of care, causing or allowing the injury that occurred on that property. If the defendant was negligent or careless and did not properly take care of their property to make it safe or warn you before you were injured, you may have a right to recover damages against the defendant. If you slipped and fell and it was someone else’s fault, you need an experienced slip-and-fall attorney. Please contact Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo for a free consultation.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who is responsible for damages if the property is rented?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “If you were injured inside or upon property that was rented out or in control of someone other than the owner, they may be responsible alone or together with the owner. Determining responsibility for dangerous conditions on property depends on the facts of your case and how you were injured. You should discuss your case with an experienced slip-and-fall attorney to make sure the right parties are held responsible. Please contact Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo for a free consultation.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is a premises liability cause of action?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “If you are injured as a result of a dangerous condition on property, you may have a premises liability cause of action against the owner or those responsible for the property, and the right to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Please contact Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo for a free consultation.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What do I need to provide in a slip and fall claim?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “There are three main issues in a slip and fall claim–whether the property was in a dangerous condition causing your injury, who is responsible for the property, and what is the extent of your injuries and damages. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to assist you in ensuring you get all of the evidence you need to make a slip and fall claim.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What are the steps I need to take after an accident or sustaining an injury?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “If you have been in an accident on someone else’s property, you should let the owner know and seek medical attention immediately. If you are able to take photographs of the dangerous condition you should do so right away or ask a family member or friend to do so. We also recommend that you contact an experienced slip-and-fall attorney to discuss your rights. Please contact Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo for a free consultation.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do I know who is at fault?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Determining fault for an accident can depend on many factors. In a slip and fall case, those factors include who owns, the property, who controls or is responsible for the property, and how your injury was caused. You should discuss your case with an experienced slip-and-fall attorney to make sure the right parties are held responsible. Please contact Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo for a free consultation.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What if my slip and fall made a pre-existing injury worse?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “A slip and fall accident, like any other kind of accident, can aggravate or worsen your pre-existing conditions. Under the law, the at-fault party is responsible for the worsening of your condition as a result of the injury. We are experienced in proving aggravation of pre-existing conditions in aggressively pursue full recovery for our clients. Please contact Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo for a free consultation.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “I don’t want to sue my loved one/friend, but my medical bills are piling up – what should I do?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “This is why your loved one or friend has liability insurance. When you pursue a claim against a person, typically your recovery is not coming from them personally; your source of recovery is almost always their insurance coverage. You should speak to your loved one or friend and make them understand that this primarily concerns the insurance companies when it comes to where the money will come from. You should not risk your well-being and future.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “I slipped on ice on my way into the office, what should I do?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “You should make sure to take photographs, get witness names and document the fall. You should immediately report the fall to the office and owners of the property. It is also important that you promptly get medical evaluation and treatment, and continue with all recommended treatment for your injuries. If you slipped on your employer’s property or while you were in the course and scope of your employment, you may have a workers’ compensation claim. If the owner of the property, snow removal company or some other party was responsible for your fall, you may have a right to pursue a lawsuit against them for your injuries, whether you also receive worker’s compensation for the fall or not.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What questions will I be asked in a slip and fall deposition?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “During a slip and fall deposition, as with any deposition in a personal injury case, you will be asked about your background, how the slip and fall occurred, and the extent of your injuries. We, as your personal injury attorneys, will prepare you for your deposition and be with you every step of the way to make sure this process goes as smoothly as possible.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can I sue the city/town/borough if I slipped and fell on a broken piece of sidewalk?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Sidewalks are usually considered the responsibility of the property they are attached or adjacent to, and the owners of the adjacent properties may be sued. If a municipality owns or is responsible for the sidewalk, the law makes it more difficult to successfully sue them for your injuries. In any case involving injury on a sidewalk, it is important to get photographs, identify exactly where you fell, and get the medical attention you need, and contact experienced personal injury attorneys to represent you and make sure your rights are protected.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What duties do property owners have regarding ice and snow removal?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “A property owner, especially a business or store owner, has the duty to keep their property safe or warn of unsafe conditions, and must do so within a reasonable amount of time after a snowfall or ice event. The law can be tricky when it comes to slip and fall cases, and the owner’s duty depends on timing, the appearance of the snow or ice, and how that snow or ice was formed (for instance as a result of natural accumulation versus a drainpipe on the property). It is important to immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney if you have been injured as a result of a fall on snow and ice.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “If a building owner is in violation of building code, can that affect my slip and fall claim?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The provisions of an applicable building code, if violated, may be important in a slip and fall case. Building code provisions can be used as evidence that the condition causing the fall was unsafe and should have been fixed before the fall.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “My neighbor lives in an apartment and I fell on their steps. Who pays my bills?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Some insurance policies that owners maintain on their property have coverage for the medical bills of individuals injured on that property. If that is not available, your own health insurance coverage would pay the bills, and a claim for those amounts would become part of your claim against the responsible party.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who can be held liable for my slip and fall claim?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “There are many questions that have to be answered before this determination can be made. Where did you fall? Who owned the property? Was anyone leasing the property? What type of property was it? What caused you to fall? Was it a result of negligence? Does any lease or other agreement say who is responsible for the place where you fell? Generally, depending on the answers to these questions, the owners, renters, or others responsible for the condition of the property may be liable.”
}
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