Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyer
\If you were injured in a slip, trip or fall accident in Philadelphia, we may be able to help. As every case is unique, we need to know the specifics of your situation. Call the Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers at Rosenbaum & Associates today and get a free, no-obligation consultation about your situation. If we handle your case, there is no fee for our services unless we recover money on your behalf.
Why Choose Our Slip and Fall Attorneys?
- We are dedicated to our clients, and our team has been selected as one of the Top 10 Best Law Firms.
- We have helped injury victims in Philadelphia hold negligent parties accountable for more than 25 years.
- We have successfully secured millions in compensation on behalf of clients.
What Kind of Damages Are Available in a Slip and Fall Case?
If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall incident caused by a property owner’s careless or negligent actions, you may be entitled to compensation. A successful slip and fall injury claim can lead to a settlement or verdict for the following:
- Coverage of your medical bills and future medical expenses
- Compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Mental anguish or emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Possible punitive damages against the property owner
Any out-of-pocket expenses, such as court costs, the price of hiring experts, travel costs, etc., may also be reimbursed.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Every choice following a slip and fall accident can impact your ability to recover compensation. The following steps will protect your rights:
Document the Accident
Speak to anyone who witnessed the fall and ask for their contact information and if they will make a recorded statement on your phone. Take pictures of the hazardous condition that caused your fall, of the surrounding area, and your injuries. Evidence must be collected immediately since the dangerous condition can disappear if it can be quickly cleaned up or repaired.
Notify the Property Owner
This is an essential step for when it comes time to file an injury claim. Whether your fall occurred at work, a store, a sidewalk, or someone’s house, report the fall right away. If you fell at a place of business, file an official accident report with a supervisor if you can.
Seek Medical Care
Complete a thorough medical examination, even if you believe your fall-related injuries are minor. Having medical documentation for a potential legal case is critical, and any gap in treatment can give a property owner’s insurance company a reason to deny your claim.
Speak to an Experienced Attorney
Most lawyers will evaluate your case for free and advise you of your legal options. Hiring one will protect you from accepting an unfairly low settlement and being taken advantage of so that you obtain the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does a Philadelphia Slip & Fall Attorney Charge?
Many Philadelphia Slip & Fall Attorneys, including Rosenbaum & Associates, accept cases on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee agreement means your lawyer will advance the costs of pursuing your claim and will only get paid if you do. Therefore, you do not have to pay any money out-of-pocket to retain skilled legal representation. In addition, if you do not recover compensation, you will not owe any legal fees. If you do agree to a settlement or receive an award, a slip & fall attorney will typically take between 25 to 40 percent, as well as court costs.
Some lawyers may reduce or increase their contingency fee based on the amount of compensation you recover or the complexity of your case. For example, 33 percent of any recovery up to $50,000; 25 percent of a recovery between $50,000 to $100,000, etc. Whereas others may require 25 percent if your case settles fairly quickly, 33 percent if they must file a lawsuit, 40 percent if your case goes to trial, etc. Therefore, it is essential to discuss the terms of your arrangement before agreeing and signing any paperwork.
How Do Attorneys Prove Negligence in a Slip & Fall Case?
After a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you will have to prove negligence on behalf of the property owner to hold them liable. Demonstrating a property owner’s negligence can be challenging as it requires evidence that a dangerous condition existed and either the owner knew or should have known about it and failed to fix it. To do so, an attorney will have to establish the following four elements of negligence:
Duty
The property owner owed you a duty of care to keep their premises safe. You must have been permitted to be on the property for duty of care to be relatively easy to prove. For example, an invited guest or customer at a grocery. Trespassers, or those not allowed on a property, are not owed any duty of care except in very limited circumstances.
Breach
The property owner failed to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. In other words, they knew or should have known that a dangerous condition existed for a sufficient period of time before the accident occurred.
Causation
The owner’s failure to reasonably maintain the safety of the premises was a contributing factor in your slip and fall accident. There must be a clear link between the property hazard and your slip and fall injury. In other words, you would not have been injured if the property owner had fixed or warned you of the hazard. Medical records from immediately after your slip and fall will be critical.
Damages
Proof you sustained damages (losses) due to your slip and fall accident. For example:
- Medical expenses: including doctor’s fees, medications, treatments, etc., and anticipated future medical expenses.
- Lost income due to missed work or losing your job.
- Anticipated future lost income
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Slip and fall cases are subject to specific deadlines, known as “statutes of limitations.” Victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit with the court. However, if the claim is against the government, you must give notice of your intent to sue within six months. Once the notification deadline or statute of limitations has expired, you may not be able to pursue legal compensation or hold a property owner or government agency accountable. Because of these stipulations, it is crucial to file your slip and fall claim as soon as possible.
CONTACT A PHILADELPHIA SLIP AND FALL LAWYER
If you would like more information from a Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer, please contact Rosenbaum & Associates online or call (215) 569-0200 for a free case evaluation today.