How Long Do You Have to Report a Slip and Fall?
If you are conscious after a slip and fall, immediately notify management or the property owner. Even if you think you were not seriously injured, reporting it creates an official record of the accident.
Many injuries do not appear for a day or more after falling, and failure to notify means the insurance company can allege it either did not take place or, alternatively, minimize the damage it has caused you.
Keep in mind that how long you have to report a slip and fall is not the same as how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for the accident.
A Chaffin Luhana Pittsburgh personal injury attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our experienced attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients.
Slip and fall
In legal terms, slip and fall cases are included under the category of premises liability. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe, and not doing so– leaves them liable to personal injury lawsuits.
However, just because someone was injured on a property does not mean the owner was negligent. The plaintiff, or person filing the lawsuit, must prove that the owner knew the conditions were not safe, but did nothing to remedy them.
What to do after a slip and fall
Businesses generally have policies dealing with such injuries, and you may have to fill out a form and explain the occurrence in detail. Do not admit any fault.
If there were eyewitnesses to the fall, get their names, and contact information. If possible, ask them to record a statement about what they saw.
Always seek medical attention. Let the doctor know your injuries resulted from a slip and fall, and ensure the exact location is mentioned in your medical records.
If possible, document the scene as thoroughly as possible. Take videos or pictures, making sure to show probable causes of the fall– such as torn carpeting, wet floors, inadequate lighting, or an icy entrance.
If you can’t, ask a friend or relative to visit the scene and collect this evidence. Management will likely clean up the area right away, so time is of the essence.
Statute of limitations
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a slip and fall is two years. After that period, the case cannot go forward.
However, if it occurred on any government agency property, whether a city park or public school, the statute of limitations is much shorter. In most cases, you must file within six months.
Factors to consider
Many stores and businesses are targets of phony slip and fall claims. Their attorneys will search diligently for any signs of your negligence. For example, falling in an icy parking lot when wearing sensible shoes– is different from a similar fall occurring while wearing high heels.
Find a slip and fall attorney with a good track record in premises liability litigation to represent you. Rest assured that the defendants in these cases have lawyers with this kind of expertise.
Contact a Pittsburgh slip and fall attorney
If you or someone you know suffered a serious slip and fall injury due to another party’s negligence, you need the services of a Chaffin Luhana Pittsburgh slip and fall attorney. We offer free consultations, so call us today or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
After reviewing your case, we will advise you of your options. The majority of these cases are settled, but we will take your case to trial when necessary.