If you were the victim of a slip and fall accident, an experienced Reading slip and fall attorney at Munley Law can help you recover compensation. A slip and fall accident cause serious injuries that can take months to heal. You can file a personal injury lawsuit if the property owner’s negligence caused your accident. Our slip and fall injury lawyer will investigate your injury, get the evidence to prove your lawsuit and hold the property owner responsible. Don’t wait much longer; contact our slip and fall lawyers in Reading, PA, today to schedule a free consultation.
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How Munley Law Can Help You in Reading Your Slip and Fall Case
When you need compensation for your slip and fall accident injuries, you need to get an attorney on your side with proven experience. Your slip and fall lawyer needs to understand how to navigate the complicated liability issues in these premises liability cases and know what avenues to pursue to prove liability and calculate the total compensation you are owed. Here are some ways a slip and fall lawyer can assist you in a premises liability case:
Legal Expertise: Slip and fall lawyers have in-depth knowledge of premises liability laws and regulations. They understand the legal requirements for establishing liability and can assess the strength of your case. Their expertise enables them to identify potential legal issues, gather the necessary evidence, and craft a solid legal strategy tailored to your situation.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Slip and fall lawyers will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and collect evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and scene photographs. By diligently gathering evidence, they can build a compelling case to establish liability and prove negligence by the property owner or occupier.
Determining Liability: One of the essential tasks of a slip and fall lawyer is to determine liability. They will carefully analyze the facts of your case, assess the property owner’s or occupier’s maintenance practices, and identify any negligent actions or failures that contributed to your accident. This process may involve evaluating maintenance records, safety protocols, and compliance with building codes and regulations.
Expert Witnesses: In some premises liability cases, expert witnesses can be essential. Slip and fall lawyers can access a network of experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, or medical professionals. These experts can provide valuable insights and testimony to support your claim and strengthen your case.
Settlement Negotiations: Slip and fall lawyers have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel. They understand the tactics employed by insurance adjusters to minimize settlement amounts. Your lawyer will advocate on your behalf, present a strong case supported by evidence, and fight for fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Litigation Representation: A slip and fall lawyer will be prepared to take your case to trial if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful. They will represent your best interests in court, presenting your case before a judge and jury. Your lawyer will be well-versed in courtroom procedures, rules of evidence, and persuasive argumentation to maximize your chances of success.
For the last 65 years, the Reading personal injury attorneys at Munley Law have represented victims in slip and fall accidents throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. We have been consistently named among the Best Lawyers in America. U.S. News and World Report have also listed us among the best law firms in the nation. We have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for clients. We have the proven experience you need to pursue your slip and fall injury claim.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Reading, PA
Properties with unsafe conditions and other hazards can lead to serious slip and fall-related injuries. Even simple defects like tripping hazards or small liquid spills can result in severe consequences for injured victims.
Some common causes behind slip and fall accidents include:
- Poorly maintained or uneven sidewalks
- Walkways or parking lots with little to no lighting
- Slippery floors resulting from recent cleanings or drink spills
- Accumulated snow or ice on sidewalks and other walkways
- Building code violations and hidden defects
- Worn or improperly installed carpeting
- Damaged or missing handrails
- Stray cords in pathways
- Loose or missing floorboards
Generally, property owners are responsible for ensuring their properties are free of these dangers and hazards. Even if they cannot clear the defect immediately, property owners must provide sufficient warning about the dangerous condition to patrons.
What to Do if You Are the Victim of a Reading Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents can be challenging to prove. For the best chance of success with your case, you must take the proper steps to preserve evidence. If you have suffered injuries from a slip and fall, take these essential steps to protect your chances at maximum compensation:
- Ensure your slip and fall accident is documented. Inform security, management, and any other witnesses of your fall. Request an accident report.
- Take footage of the scene in the immediate aftermath of your fall, if possible. Focus mainly on any conditions that may have caused the fall, like poor lighting, trip hazards, or a lack of signage for hazards.
- Collect the contact information of any potential witnesses, including security, management, and witnesses passing by.
- See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some injuries may not appear until much later, and visiting a doctor ensures you can document your injuries and directly connect them to your fall.
If the property owner or any other involved party reaches out with a compensation offer, do not accept their offer before speaking with a Reading premises liability attorney. Liable parties in a slip and fall case are vested in preventing you from obtaining the maximum compensation you are owed for your injuries.
Any compensation offered may be inadequate to cover the total costs of your accident. Only an experienced attorney will know what your case is truly worth.
Proving Liability After a Slip and Fall Injury in Reading
In addition to property owners, the following parties must keep properties free of hazards:
- Proprietors
- Business owners
- Landlords
- Homeowners
- Apartment tenants
In some cases, multiple parties may be held liable in a slip and fall case. This is another reason why reaching out to a slip-and-fall attorney is crucial – multiple liable parties can quickly complicate a case.
When proving liability in a slip and fall case, it is vitally important to prove whether or not the liable party knew about the dangerous condition. Property owners must fully inspect their buildings and maintain the premises, and can be held accountable for failing in these duties. Landlords or tenants who fail to resolve a problem after receiving repeated warnings from patrons regarding a property hazard can also be held liable if that hazard causes an injury.
In addition to proving a property owner had prior knowledge of dangerous conditions on their property, Munley Law will work to prove the following factors in your slip and fall case:
- Failure of the property owner to prevent the accident
- Conditions of property right before the accident
- Whether the owner or proprietor made any efforts to warn patrons of the hazard
- Was the property owner the cause of the dangerous condition
Pursuing a Slip and Fall Injury Case in Reading, PA
Pennsylvania law provides a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the injury for filing a claim. This means that you, as a victim in a slip and fall accident, have two years from the accident date to file; otherwise, you may lose your right to compensation.
Clients frequently ask how quickly a slip and fall case can be resolved. The good news is that many slip and fall injury cases settle outside court. Usually, an agreement can be reached between parties without going into the courtroom and pursuing litigation.
However, sometimes liable parties will not be willing to settle, or will not be willing to offer property compensation in a settlement. At Munley Law, we are dedicated to pursuing fair and proper compensation for your slip and fall injuries. We have the experience you need to pursue your case to trial, and we are willing to take that step if all other avenues fail.
What if I Am Partially at Fault in My Reading Slip and Fall Accident?
If you are injured in a slip and fall, the other party will likely attempt to argue you were responsible in some way for the accident. This argument is intended to impact how much you could potentially collect in your slip and fall injury case.
When it comes to slip and fall accidents, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania considers fault under the modified comparative negligence rule. This rule states that any damages you may be able to receive in court from the accident will be reduced by the percentage you were at fault in the accident. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault in the accident, you will be unable to collect at all.
Let Our Reading Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Help
In a slip and fall personal injury claim, you may find yourself fighting an uphill battle. Property owners will work to place as much blame as possible on you for your injuries. However, even if you are partially to blame, you can still recover compensation due to the owner’s negligence. An experienced slip and fall attorney can prove responsibility and help you maximize your compensation.
If you had a slip and fall accident, reach out to Munley Law right away. Call us today or use our online contact form now to get in touch with one of our slip and fall injury attorneys.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 831-4234