What are common causes of slip and fall accidents?

Common causes include wet or uneven floors, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, icy sidewalks, and defective stairs or handrails.

What types of injuries are common in slip and fall accidents?

Common injuries include sprains, fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and soft tissue damage.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including slip and fall accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident.

Why should I choose Munley Law for my slip and fall case?

Munley Law has over 65 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including slip and fall accidents. Our attorneys are dedicated to securing maximum compensation for our clients.

Pittsburgh Slip and Fall Lawyer | Munley Law® Personal Injury Attorneys

Q: What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident?

Seek medical attention, report the incident to the property owner or manager, document the scene with photos, and gather witness information.

Q: How can I prove negligence in a slip and fall case?

You must demonstrate that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to address it, leading to your injury.

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Over 8 million emergency room visits every year can be attributed to slips and falls, and if you end up making one of those visits, our Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer can help you hold those responsible for your accident accountable. At Munley Law, our attorneys have more than 250 years of combined experience in protecting the rights of the injured in the Steel City and have helped clients recover more than $1 billion in damages.

Our extensive knowledge of the law, thorough investigations, and determination at the negotiating table and in court are known far and wide. Several of our attorneys are board certified, and we continue to be honored by the likes of the American Association for Justice, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon. We also regularly receive five-star Google Reviews from satisfied clients.

We aren’t afraid to fight property owners and big businesses who try to escape their responsibilities and duties to their patrons. Our team has the resources and experience needed to thoroughly investigate your case and prove negligence in your slip and fall case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our slip and fall lawyer.

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What are High-Risk Areas for Slip and Fall Accidents?

By their nature, slip-and-fall accidents can happen just about anywhere in Pittsburgh. However, some places more commonly play host to these accidents than others. Such high-risk places are usually high-traffic public locations, places that serve food and beverages, and places that are in some way exposed to the elements.

Common areas where slip and fall accidents occur include:

Workplaces: Slips and falls are one of the leading reasons behind workers’ comp claims, particularly on construction sites. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), the construction industry saw 701 falls from a higher level and 538 falls on the same level in 2024. Injuries from falls are also one of the top occupational injuries for those 55 and older, according to the NSFI.
Convenience and Grocery Stores: When products are dropped or fall and break on the floor or beverage machines malfunction, any resulting liquids automatically create a slip-and-fall hazard for customers. Likewise, objects left in aisles and poorly maintained walkways can lead to trip and fall injuries. The BWC noted that Pennsylvania’s food and beverage retailers reported 517 falls on the same level, while general merchandise retailers reported 371 falls on the same level, in 2024.
Bars and Restaurants: Foods, beverages, plates, and glasses can all drop or fall on the floor, creating hazardous conditions. Additionally, bars and restaurants frequently get busy, leaving little time to notice and clean up accidental spills. Both patrons and employees can find themselves at risk for slip and fall injuries. According to the BWC, food services and drinking places in the Keystone State reported 1,010 falls on the same level in 2024.
Hotels: Older hotels and motels may be poorly maintained, leading to trips from torn carpets, inadequate lighting, or broken tiles. Additionally, improperly marked maintenance areas and objects left in hallways while cleaning rooms can cause slip-and-fall accidents in hotels. 253 falls on the same level occurred in accommodation facilities in Pennsylvania in 2024, as reported by BWC.
Movie Theaters: Theater operators must monitor for concession spills left by patrons, ensure adequate lighting for aisles and rows, and prevent rushes into popular shows that could lead to crowd trampling injuries. Older movie theaters may also have uneven carpeting and flooring that can result in a trip.
Hospitals: A hospital with poor lighting, broken pavement, slippery floors, or incorrectly fastened carpets can lead to trip and fall injuries for patients and visitors. According to BWC, 1,134 falls on the same level occurred in PA hospitals in 2024.
Schools and Playgrounds: Children can be victims of slip and fall accidents, whether due to uneven flooring, dangerous railings, or objects left in walkways. Poorly maintained playgrounds can also lead to serious injuries for young children.
Pools: Slip and fall accidents in or around a pool have a higher risk of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can occur from slipping on slick floors or the pool deck, falling from ladders with poor traction, or using poorly installed equipment like diving boards or water slides.
Apartments, Townhouses, and Condos: Owners of apartment buildings or complexes are required to repair any dangerous conditions throughout the property, including sidewalks, hallways, and elevators. If you were injured inside of an apartment, the person renting the apartment may also be liable for your injuries.
Parking Lots and Garages: Holes and cracks in the asphalt of a parking lot or garage can lead to severe slip and fall injuries. Additionally, environmental conditions like ice, snow, puddles, and poorly marked construction zones can cause trip accidents.
Malls: Food courts in shopping centers are especially at risk for food and beverage spills, leading to slip and fall accidents. Patrons may also bring their food or drinks along while they shop in other stores, leading to risks outside of the food court.

Adults 65 years and older are at a higher risk of especially severe slip and fall injuries than the rest of the population. Every year, around 3 million adults over 65 find themselves in hospitals for the treatment of fall-related injuries.

Whether your accident occurred at your workplace, in a convenience store or hospital, or elsewhere in the City of Bridges, our Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer is here to help you pursue justice and fair compensation. Contact us and let us assess your case for free.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries in Pittsburgh

Some of the most common injuries in slip and fall cases include:

Broken and fractured limbs – When you fall, your first instinct is to brace yourself by extending your arm. The absorption of the impact on your arm can lead to broken or fractured bones. According to the BWC, falls from a higher level resulted in 586 fractures, while falls on the same level resulted in 1,330 fractures in Pennsylvania in 2024.
Hip Fractures – A broken hip is typically the most serious consequence of a fall for elderly victims, leading to significant health problems and, in some cases, death.
Cuts, bruises, and lacerations – If you fall on a rough surface, you may suffer from deep cuts and abrasions that require immediate medical attention. 702 cuts, lacerations, and punctures resulted from falls on the same level, and 187 cuts, lacerations, and punctures resulted from falls from a higher level in Pennsylvania in 2024. These lacerations are at high risk of infection and, in some cases, may require physical therapy to recover from deep muscle cuts.
Dislocated joints, torn ligaments, and tendon strains – Suddenly twisting during your fall can lead to a torn ACL or MCL, dislocation of your joints, and other soft tissue tears. Falls on the same level produced 6,161 sprains and strains, while falls from a higher level produced 1,506 sprains and strains in the Keystone State in 2024.
Traumatic brain injuries – You may hit your head on an object while falling, causing a concussion or other major brain damage.
Herniated discs – Slip and fall accidents are one of the primary causes of herniated discs, which can occur when the soft spinal discs between vertebrae are torn during a fall. Herniated discs put pressure on the spinal cord, leading to shooting pains in the lower back and legs and often requiring surgery to resolve.
Spinal injuries – Back strains, nerve damage, and even partial or complete paralysis can result from a slip-and-fall accident.

Trip and fall accidents can lead to life-altering injuries. You may require a long recovery time, resulting in weeks of lost wages and high medical bills. You may also require long-term pain management and intensive surgery. If you are left permanently disabled, you may need to pay costs for modifying your home, car, and other aspects of your life to accommodate your disability, all while possibly facing a reduced quality of life and earning potential.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents in Pittsburgh?

When it comes to liability for a slip and fall accident in Pittsburgh, property owners are almost always liable for any dangerous or defective conditions. Landowners and property owners have a duty of care to their patrons and are responsible for ensuring the safety of their properties.

If you are injured on a commercial property in the City of Bridges, the business leasing the property may also be held liable, or they may hold primary responsibility. For residential properties, renters and lessors can also be held responsible for any injuries on their property.

Property owners may hire third-party companies to maintain property conditions. If a hired third-party company fails to properly clean up or fix hazardous property conditions, that company may also be held liable for any slip and fall injuries.

How Can a Pittsburgh Slip and Fall Attorney Help You?

Munley slip and fall lawyers discussing case

Liability is often difficult to prove in a slip-and-fall case. Defendants will do whatever they can to try to shift the blame to you as the victim so they can avoid paying high fees and settlements. Our attorneys with extensive experience in slip-and-fall cases will be able to support your case in many ways, such as:

Pursuing a Slip and Fall Negligence Case

Like any injury case, slip and fall injury cases require filing the right paperwork on time. When you’re already recovering from a severe injury, it can be hard to manage filling out and filing all the needed paperwork just to get your case moving forward. Munley Law can help provide you with peace of mind by handling this crucial part of your case.

Before filing a lawsuit, your slip and fall injury attorney will attempt to negotiate a settlement with any involved parties. Settlements are preferable to the time and costs of pursuing litigation, and we will work to obtain the best compensation for you so you can recover.

However, sometimes defendants will choose litigation over settling, which can take anywhere from a few months to years to resolve. We can work with you throughout every phase of your slip-and-fall injury trial, presenting compelling evidence and calling expert witnesses.

Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Case

To pursue compensation for your slip and fall accident, you will need to prove that the property owner, business, or other defendant’s negligence caused the accident. You and your attorney must prove that the other party failed in their duty of care and permitted the existence of hazardous conditions.

We can prove negligence in your slip-and-fall case by obtaining:

Surveillance footage before, during, and after the accident
Interviews with witnesses to the accident or previous slip-and-fall accident victims
Pictures of scenes from the accident
Incident reports filed by the property owner or other party
Testimony from experts and medical providers
Your medical records

Determining Damages for Your Trip and Fall Case

The average settlement for a slip and fall accident can vary widely, and calculating your full damages can be tricky. While you may be thinking of covering any immediate medical bills and lost wages, an experienced lawyer can help you calculate potential future costs resulting from your injuries. Our Pittsburgh slip and fall attorney can reach out to economic and medical experts to determine your full economic losses, including current and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, and more.

Additionally, your slip-and-fall lawyer can also fight for you to receive non-economic losses. We can work to get you compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional damages, and other losses that are not objectively calculable.

How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit for a Slip and Fall Accident in Pittsburgh?

Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against any liable parties generally is two years from the date of your slip and fall accident. If you or a loved one was a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations is tolled, meaning you have two years from the time the minor victim turns 18 to file.

If you attempt to file your lawsuit outside of the statute of limitations, the court may entirely dismiss your slip and fall claim. Even if you are still well within the statute of limitations, you should reach out to Munley Law for help with your slip and fall case as soon as possible. Involving an attorney early in the process gives you the best chance at preserving crucial evidence needed to prove your case.

Why Choose Munley Law for Your Pittsburgh Slip and Fall Lawyer?

When you’re faced with seeking justice after being injured in a slip and fall accident, you need a law firm whose attorneys have extensive experience, the resources to investigate your accident and build a strong case, and proven results. This is what you get when you choose Munley Law for your Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer.

We’ve fought for justice on behalf of injured Pittsburghers since 1959, obtaining many multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts over the years. Results like these can be expected from a legal team that includes four attorneys who are board certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. All our lawyers are members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Association for Justice, of which Marion Munley is currently Vice President.

Several of our attorneys have received various honors and accolades for their outstanding performance. Among them are Marion, who was named Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation by Best Lawyers, and Caroline Munley, who was named among the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers. The association also named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.

In addition, Marion and Caroline are members of Litigation Counsel of America, the International Society of Barristers, and, along with Robert Munley III, the Multi-Million-Dollar Advocates Forum/Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Marion and Daniel Munley are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. All our partners have AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Slip and Fall Accident Cases

What Should I Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident in Pittsburgh?

Immediately after a slip and fall accident in Pittsburgh, you should seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Report the accident to the property owner or manager and ask for a written report, if possible. Take photos of the scene and gather contact information from any witnesses. All these steps can help protect your health and strengthen your claim.

How Do I Prove Negligence in a Pittsburgh Slip and Fall Case?

To prove negligence in a Pittsburgh slip and fall case, you must show that the property owner or responsible party failed to maintain a safe environment. This usually involves demonstrating that they knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to fix it. Evidence such as incident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements can support your case. Our Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer can help gather and present this evidence effectively.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for My Slip and Fall Accident?

Yes, you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for your slip and fall accident. However, under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you may not be eligible to recover damages.

What Types of Compensation are Available in a Pittsburgh Slip and Fall Claim?

The types of compensation available in a Pittsburgh slip and fall claim usually include economic and non-economic damages. These are intended to cover medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. If your case is severe, you may also receive compensation for long-term disability or loss of earning capacity.

How Long Does a Slip and Fall Case Take to Resolve in Pennsylvania?

The length of time a slip and fall case takes to resolve in Pennsylvania can vary depending on its complexity and whether it settles through negotiations or goes to trial. Some cases may resolve in a few months, while others can take a year or longer. Factors such as the severity of your injuries and the availability of evidence can affect the timeline.

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Contact Munley Law Today for Your Pittsburgh Slip and Fall Accident

Even if you are partially to blame for your injuries from a slip and fall accident, you still have the right to recover compensation for a property owner’s, business’s, or other party’s negligence. Our experienced slip-and-fall attorneys at Munley Law can help you obtain the compensation you need for your recovery.

If you were injured on another’s property, contact Munley Law today at (855) 866-5529 or use our online contact form to get in touch. We have offices throughout Pennsylvania.

Types of Pittsburgh Personal Injury Claims We Handle

There are many different types of personal injury cases. When choosing a Pittsburgh injury lawyer to represent you, it’s important to find someone who has handled cases like yours. Munley Law has successfully secured compensation for victims of the following types of personal injury cases:

James Christopher Munley

James Christopher Munley is an award-winning and trusted premises liability lawyer. Chris is a board-certified civil trial advocate and has been named to the Best Lawyers in America and the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America. Chris has also been appointed to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers Association and is among the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2005.

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