A “slip and fall” accident may not sound very serious, but the reality is that these accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries in Pennsylvania and throughout the US each year. If you slipped or tripped and fell while visiting a shop on Merchant Street, while staying in a hotel, or while visiting a friend’s home, an Ambridge slip and fall lawyer can help you determine your legal options for claiming compensation.
The attorneys of Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC have more than 45 combined years of experience helping injured clients recover from the negligence and misconduct of others. If you or a family member suffered a slip-and-fall injury on someone else’s property, you likely have grounds to file a personal injury case under Pennsylvania’s premises liability laws. We can explain these laws as they apply to your case and help you recover your damages.
The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, more than 8.8 million people received emergency room treatment for fall-related injuries nationwide. In 2024, 48,308 people died from falls across the country, and every year, falls are a leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths at home and in the workplace.
When a slip and fall occurs on private property, Pennsylvania’s premises liability laws dictate that the property owner is liable for the resulting damages if their negligence contributed to the accident. You’re likely to have many legal questions about your recent slip-and-fall accident, and our team is ready to help you build your case and pursue compensation for the damages you suffered.
A slip-and-fall accident could potentially result in life-changing injuries. These accidents often cause traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and damage to internal organs. Some victims eventually make full recoveries, while others are left permanently disabled. If you think a property owner in Ambridge was negligent in the care of their property, your attorney can help you prove that their negligence directly caused your slip and fall accident.
Under Pennsylvania’s premises liability laws, a property owner is required to address foreseeable safety hazards on their property as soon as they become aware of them. When a property owner notices any hazard on their property that could potentially injure a lawful visitor, the property owner must either address the hazard immediately, post a clearly visible warning sign, or provide clear verbal warnings to any visitors likely to encounter the hazard while on the property.
Additionally, “lawful” is an important distinction when it comes to visitors to private property. Pennsylvania’s premises liability laws apply to those who have express or implied permission to enter someone’s private property. If a trespasser or intruder is injured in a slip-and-fall accident, it is unlikely that the property owner would not be liable since the trespasser is not owed the same duty of care.
Liability for a slip-and-fall accident could also be contested on the grounds of comparative negligence. If the plaintiff in this type of injury case is found to have contributed to the accident, they will be assigned a percentage of fault. Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law, the plaintiff can still claim damages as long as the defendant is found more at fault, but the plaintiff’s fault percentage is deducted from their compensation.
Ultimately, slip-and-fall accident cases can be more complex than they initially appear. If you think that a local property owner in Ambridge is responsible for your recent slip and fall accident, the team at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC can provide compassionate, results-driven legal counsel throughout your legal proceedings. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible so we can start building your case.
To prove fault for a slip and fall injury, you will need evidence that shows the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard that caused the injury and failed to address it, or failed to take appropriate steps to prevent the hazard from injuring anyone. Your Ambridge slip and fall attorney can secure evidence to build your case, such as property maintenance records, eyewitness statements, and security footage from the property, if available.
The damages you can claim in a slip and fall case include any economic and non-economic losses you suffered in the incident. Economic damages could include medical expenses and your lost income if you are unable to work while you recover. Non-economic damages include physical pain and emotional distress, and your attorney can determine an acceptable amount that reflects the severity of the harm you suffered.
In Ambridge, the time it takes to settle a slip and fall case usually hinges on whether liability for the accident is contested in any way and whether you hire a slip and fall lawyer to represent you. A skilled attorney will know what evidence you need to prove fault for the accident, how to accurately calculate your total damages, and how to streamline your legal proceedings. Settlement is generally faster than litigation but may not be possible in every case.
You should hire a slip and fall lawyer because holding a property owner accountable for your injury is likely to be far more difficult than you expect, and you would also face the risk of accepting less compensation than you legally deserve if you tried to handle the case alone. When you hire an experienced attorney, they can help you build a stronger case, accurately calculate your total damages, and guide you through your proceedings efficiently.
The team at Bowers Fawcett & Hurst, LLC has years of experience helping injured clients navigate their personal injury cases, including many slip and fall injury claims in Ambridge and throughout Beaver County. If you believe that a local property owner is liable for your recent injury, you have a limited time to pursue accountability. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Ambridge slip and fall lawyer to learn how we can help.