The decision to file a personal injury lawsuit should not be taken lightly, but waiting too long could jeopardize your case. Pennsylvania has a statute of limitations for filing these cases pertaining to slip and falls. People who hesitate and then try to file lawsuits after the deadline might find that their hands are tied, with little chance of receiving compensation.
For the most part, personal injury lawsuits in Pennsylvania must be filed within two years after the accident date. In rare cases, the deadline might be extended. One example would be “fraudulent concealment.” This might happen when an allegedly negligent defendant kept information from you, such as an apartment building’s staircase not complying with building codes. This does not happen often with slip and fall cases.
Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident
If you slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk by a sign that read “caution” or was roped off, that might be attributed to not paying attention. Still, Pennsylvania slip and fall laws stipulate that property owners can be held responsible when dangerous situations like broken handrails cause accidents. To win a case, slip and fall lawyers work with clients to establish a defendant’s negligence contributing to the accident and injury.
In Pennsylvania, property owners are responsible for keeping their outdoor and indoor spaces reasonably safe for people who visit their grounds legally.
These cases can be successful when plaintiffs prove that:
- The property owner failed to take specific steps that a reasonably responsible party would have.
- Negligence was the reason for the plaintiff’s slip and fall.
- The plaintiff’s injuries are linked to tangible financial damages, like medical expenses, and, in some cases, less tangible ones, like pain and suffering.
Pennsylvania’s slip and fall laws can also shield property owners from responsibility for weather-related accidents. Although their parking lots and sidewalks should be shoveled after snow storms, there may be an exception, and the owner might not be liable if a slip and fall accident happens right after one.
Our Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Skillfully Represent Clients in Personal Injury Cases
Our experienced Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC have helped many clients receive the compensation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call 215-569-8488 or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, as well as Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.