A slip-and-fall can occur in a public park, a restaurant, or at a friend’s house. No matter the location, slip-and-fall injuries are among the most severe, causing long-term damage to many individuals. Property owners often dispute liability, leaving the victim in financial distress.
Thankfully, the premises liability lawyers at Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe refuse to settle for less than you deserve. Our team of skilled professionals has assisted numerous slip-and-fall victims in Harrisburg and the surrounding area, safeguarding their rights. Let us help to protect yours.
Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
Common injuries in slip and fall accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: A fall can disrupt brain function, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Common symptoms of a TBI include nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, difficulty communicating, and mood swings. Immediate medical intervention can help mitigate the risk of permanent damage.
- Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is a bundle of nervous tissue that extends from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Approximately 30 percent of falls result in spinal cord injury. Common symptoms include loss of sensation below the injury site, loss of bladder and/or bowel control, tingling in the extremities, weakness or numbness, and autonomic dysreflexia (inability to regulate body temperature, most common in cervical and thoracic injuries).
- Fractures: Falls can result in wrist, hip, and ankle fractures, and more severe falls can cause shoulder dislocations and pelvic fractures. When a bone pierces the skin (a compound fracture), surgery is likely required. Although simple fractures may heal on their own, physical therapy may be needed to regain movement and reduce stiffness.
- Soft tissue injuries: Before a fall, a person may contort their body to prevent falling, causing the muscles to tense and resulting in a soft tissue injury. A soft tissue injury can involve damage to muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments. Symptoms of a soft tissue injury may include swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion.
- Scarring and/or disfigurement: A person who falls may sustain lacerations (cuts), which can result in permanent scars and potential disfigurement. Scarring and any disfigurement can affect more than a person’s physical appearance, often causing emotional and mental side effects.
When is a Property Owner Liable for Your Injuries?
A property owner who fails to keep their property free of hazards can be held financially liable if a person is injured on the property. There are a variety of conditions that can give rise to a slip-and-fall claim, including missing handrails, cracked steps or sidewalks, slippery floors, buckling carpets, and ice or snow. Pennsylvania property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees (customers), requiring them to routinely inspect the property to ensure it is reasonably safe. The next level of duty is owed to licensees (social guests), requiring that a property owner make them aware of any known dangers.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, you have two years to file a legal claim following a slip and fall injury. To help you stay informed of your rights, it is important that you speak with one of our injury lawyers at the earliest opportunity.
Helping to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Claim
Successful recovery in a slip and fall claim requires that you prove the property owner’s negligence as well as damages. Our legal team has experience gathering the evidence needed to prove the property owner’s liability, giving you the best chance of recovering your losses. Evidence is key in establishing liability, which may include photographs, videos, physical evidence, or even eyewitness testimony. The sooner that you contact our fall injury attorneys, the sooner we can preserve evidence to help you win your case.
Injured? Contact Our Harrisburg Fall Lawyers Today
The effects of a slip-and-fall can be felt financially, physically, and emotionally. The medical bills alone can force someone to file for bankruptcy. While you may assume that the property owner’s insurance will cover these costs, this is not a given.
For over 30 years, Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, has been helping hardworking individuals in central Pennsylvania reclaim their rights. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a slip and fall, our Harrisburg fall attorneys would like to speak with you. To arrange your free consultation, our office can be reached online or by phone at (717) 229-6580.