When a Routine Errand Ends in a Slip‑and‑Fall Disaster
One moment you’re grabbing coffee at a Center City café; then next, an unmarked spill sends you crashing to the tile. A loose step on a South Philly row‑house staircase, a pothole in a mall parking lot, or a hidden patch of black ice can do the same. These seemingly simple slip and fall accidents often cause torn ligaments, fractured hips, and even spinal cord injuries that trigger towering medical bills and weeks of missed work. Our Pennsylvania slip and fall lawyers vault into action, preserve evidence, and confront the insurance companies before they can blame the victim.
From our Center City office, we fight for injured Pennsylvanians across the Greater Philadelphia area, including Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties.
Why Injured Shoppers and Tenants Choose The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman
Our law firm has spent 35 years forcing negligent property owners and retailers to pay for unsafe floors and sidewalks.
Proven slip‑and‑fall verdicts – Six‑ and seven‑figure results for broken hips, traumatic brain injuries, and disabling back fractures.
Rapid scene preservation – We secure surveillance footage, incident reports, and weather data before they vanish.
Premises‑liability focus – We know the building codes, store‑inspection logs, and snow‑removal ordinances that win slip and fall cases.
Contingency‑fee representation – No upfront money. We advance costs and collect only if we recover.
Our legal team builds airtight personal injury claims so defendants know that delay will only cost them more.
Common Causes of Slip‑and‑Fall Injuries in Pennsylvania
Slip‑and‑fall incidents occur for many reasons, but most share one theme: a property owner ignored a hazard.
Hazard | Typical Location | Resulting Fall Injuries |
|---|---|---|
Wet floors without cones | Grocery aisles, hospital corridors | Broken wrists, head injuries |
Cracked or uneven sidewalks | City blocks, shopping centers | Ankle fractures, knee ligament tears |
Black ice & snow | Apartment entryways, parking lots | Hip fractures, serious injuries |
Spilled food & grease | Fast‑food restaurants, cafeterias | Soft‑tissue injury, concussions |
Loose stair treads / missing handrails | Walk‑ups, office buildings | Traumatic brain injuries, vertebral fractures |
Poor lighting | Movie theaters, garages | Trip‑and‑fall on unseen hazards |
If your slip and fall incident happened differently, call for a free consultation. Chances are, we’ve handled something similar.
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Law for Slip and Fall Cases
Before filing any personal injury lawsuit, we must prove negligence under Pennsylvania’s premises liability rules.
Two‑year statute of limitations – You generally have two years from the fall accident to sue (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524).
Duty of care – Store owners owe customers (invitees) a higher duty than trespassers; landlords must maintain the common areas.
Notice requirement – We show the hazard was created by the property owner or existed long enough that staff should have fixed it.
Comparative negligence – You can recover if you’re ≤ 50 percent at fault; awards drop by your share.
Damages We Pursue For Physical Injuries After a Slip and Fall Accident
Slip‑and‑fall injured parties deserve more than paid ER bills. We document every loss and demand full value.
Medical expenses & future rehab can include surgery, physical therapy, and home modifications.
Lost wages & earning power from missed shifts, hindered promotions, and gig work losses.
Pain, emotional distress & loss of life’s pleasures, including but not limited to, chronic pain, post‑traumatic stress disorder, and canceled vacations.
Punitive damages are awarded when owners ignore repeated safety complaints or code violations.
Steps to Strengthen Your Slip‑and‑Fall Claim
Follow these moves immediately after a fall accident occurs:
Seek medical attention and follow the doctor’s orders.
Report the accident to the manager or landlord; request a copy.
Photograph the hazard (wet floor, broken tile) and your injuries.
Collect witness info, including names, numbers, and even quick phone video statements.
Call our office for legal assistance before speaking with any adjuster.
FAQs for Injured Parties
What is the average payout for a slip and fall in Pennsylvania?
Payouts can swing dramatically, from modest awards for minor strains to substantial sums for serious fractures or spinal injuries once medical treatment and lost wages are taken into account.
How much do slip and fall lawyers charge?
We, and most slip and fall attorneys in Pennsylvania, work on a contingency fee, usually between 30% and 40% of the recovery, plus any advanced costs paid, but it varies by firm.
Can you sue if you slip on someone’s sidewalk?
Yes, if we prove the owner knew, or should have known, about ice, cracks, or other hazards and failed to fix them.
Are slip and fall cases hard to win?
Success hinges on quick evidence gathering. Surveillance footage and incident reports disappear fast; call promptly.
How long does a slip-and-fall lawsuit take?
Every case is unique. Complexity, medical recovery time, and court calendars all affect duration. We move each claim forward as efficiently and strategically as possible.
Ready to Discuss Your Slip‑and‑Fall Claim?
Our Pennsylvania slip‑and‑fall injury attorneys offer free consultations and don’t charge unless we win. Call or click below to start your path to fair compensation.
$10 Million
Burn Injury in Pennsylvania
$1.3 Million
Bar Patron Assault in Pennsylvania
$750,000
Injury Caused by an Exploding Thermos
$550,000
Neck & Back Injuries
$400,000
Motor Vehicle Accident
$300,000
Minor with a Broken Leg
$300,000
Injuries Resulting From a Trip & Fall
$250,000
Pedestrian Accident
Injured? Tell Us Your Story. We’ll Handle the Rest.
Call To Speak To A Lawyer For A Free Case Evaluation.
Cases We Handle in Pennsylvania
Hurt in a car crash, trucking accident, slip-and-fall, or other negligence-based mishap in Southeast Pennsylvania?
The Altman Team focuses exclusively on personal injury law, leveraging a deep command of Pennsylvania tort statutes to win maximum compensation for residents of Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware Counties.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.