A Reading slip and fall lawyer at Munley Law helps injury victims hold negligent property owners accountable and recover full compensation. Slip and fall accidents can cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and other serious harm that disrupts your life and livelihood. In 2024, the NSC recorded 48,308 fatalities in the U.S. as a result of trips, slips, and falls, highlighting the danger of these preventable accidents.
Property owners in Pennsylvania have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. If they fail to correct hazards or warn visitors of dangerous conditions, they may be financially responsible for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs. When unsafe property conditions lead to injury, you deserve experienced legal representation.
For nearly 70 years, Munley Law has represented injured clients across Pennsylvania, earning national recognition and securing millions in verdicts and settlements. Here’s what you need to know about filing a slip and fall claim in Reading, and how our personal injury attorneys can help.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Why Hire a Reading Slip and Fall Attorney at Munley Law?
Premises liability cases are rarely straightforward. Insurance companies often argue that the hazard was “open and obvious” or that the injured person was partly responsible. An experienced slip and fall lawyer understands how to investigate, prove negligence, and calculate the true value of your claim.
Here are some ways Munley Law’s slip and fall lawyers 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.
Comprehensive 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 on the part of the property owner or occupier.
Establishing Property Owner Negligence
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.
Access to 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.
Skilled Settlement Negotiations
Slip and fall lawyers have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel. They understand the tactics insurance adjusters use 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.
Trial-Ready 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.
Munley Law’s National Recognition and Proven Results
For almost seven decades, the Reading premises liability attorneys at Munley Law have represented victims in slip and fall accidents throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. We have built a reputation for excellence in personal injury litigation:
- Consistently listed in Best Lawyers in America
- Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Law Firm
- Multiple attorneys are named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
- Members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements across Pennsylvania
Our firm has secured major client victories in complex injury cases, including a $300,000 verdict for a fall due to a step that was not properly secured on a property one of our clients rented, demonstrating both negotiating power and trial strength.
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 such as tripping hazards or small liquid spills can result in severe consequences for injured victims.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for around 8 million emergency room visits annually and are the leading cause of ER visits nationwide. The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the United States and a major cause of serious injury across all age groups.
Some common causes behind slip and fall accidents include:
- Poorly maintained or uneven sidewalks
- Poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, and on walkways
- Slippery floors resulting from recent fluid or drink spills
- Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs
- Accumulated snow or ice on sidewalks and other walkways
- Building code violations and hidden defects
- Worn or improperly installed carpeting
- Damaged or missing handrails
- Exposed 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 immediately clear the defect, property owners must provide sufficient warning to patrons about the dangerous condition.
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. It is important to get a visual record of the hazard before it is removed or repaired. 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 personnel, 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.
“Munley Law is far more than just a law firm. We’re a family of attorneys who truly understand the meaning of family and bring deep compassion to every client we serve.”
J. Christopher Munley
How Do You Prove Liability After a Slip and Fall Injury in Reading?
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. In addition to property owners, the following parties must keep properties free of hazards:
- Proprietors
- Business owners
- Landlords
- Homeowners
- Apartment tenants
Pennsylvania law requires property owners to conduct reasonable inspections and maintain safe premises. If a hazard existed long enough that the owner should have discovered and corrected it, liability may be established under the concept of constructive notice.
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 the 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
Under 42 Pa. C.S. §5524, Pennsylvania law provides a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the injury for filing a claim. This means that, as a victim of a slip and fall accident, you have two years from the accident date to file; otherwise, you may lose your right to compensation. Additionally, evidence can disappear quickly, making it critical to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
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 to court and pursuing litigation.
However, sometimes liable parties will not be willing to settle or offer proper compensation. 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 (42 Pa. C.S. § 7102). 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.
What Compensation is Available in a Reading Slip and Fall Case?
Severe falls can result in long-term complications, including broken hips, fractures, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among older adults and a significant contributor to workplace injuries nationwide.
Depending on your injuries, compensation for a slip and fall may include:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Disability-related expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Claims in Reading
Do I Need a Lawyer if the Insurance Company Offers a Settlement?
Early settlement offers might look attractive, but are often lower than the claim’s full value. Insurance companies aim to resolve cases quickly and cheaply. Legal review ensures you do not accept less than you deserve.
Can I Sue a Government Entity for a Sidewalk Fall in Reading?
Claims against government entities may be possible, but they involve strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines (six months) under Pennsylvania law. Thus, if you intend to sue a government entity, it is wise to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
Can Surveillance Footage Help My Case?
Yes. Video evidence can be powerful proof of the hazardous conditions and how the fall occurred. However, acting quickly is essential, as footage may be erased. An experienced Reading slip and fall lawyer can locate and preserve such evidence before it is erased.
What If the Slip and Fall Hazard Was Temporary, Like a Spill?
Property owners can still be liable if the spill existed long enough that a reasonable inspection would have discovered it.
What If There Were No Warning Signs Posted?
Failure to post warning signs for known hazards can strengthen your claim. Property owners have a duty to warn visitors about dangerous conditions they cannot immediately fix.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Munley Law for a Slip and Fall Case in Reading, PA?
Munley Law works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no upfront fees or hourly rates for our comprehensive service. Munley Law is paid only if we recover compensation for you.
Let Our Reading Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Help You
In a slip and fall personal injury claim, you may find yourself fighting an uphill battle. Local property owners and insurers 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, contact Munley Law immediately. Call us today or use our online contact form now to get in touch with one of our slip and fall injury attorneys.
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.
