What Do I Do After A Slip and Fall Accident?
It can be tricky navigating slip and fall accidents in Southern PA. While walking, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Unfortunately, some of the most leisurely walks can end in injury. Properly navigating slip and fall accidents can be complex, especially if you’re distraught afterward. Fortunately, our team is here to help you figure it out.
This month, we will talk about navigating slip and fall accidents in Southern PA. First, we will explain the common causes of slip and fall accidents. Then, we will show you how to help prove the negligence of slip and fall accidents. Marc T. Valentine & Associates PC is proud to educate our clients on navigating slip and fall accidents.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Southern PA
Each year, around one million people go to the emergency room for slip and fall accidents. The effects of slip and fall accidents often vary, but some can be fatal. These four common causes of slip and fall accidents can be quite surprising:
Wet and Uneven Surfaces: The most common cause of slip and fall accidents is damp and uneven surfaces. Walking on wet and uneven surfaces can be hazardous.
To warn visitors, businesses will post “wet floor” signs if a potential hazard exists. You can prevent slip and fall accidents on wet and uneven surfaces by keeping the floor uncluttered.
Weather Conditions: Weather leads to a vast number of slip and fall accidents. Property owners and municipalities have a legal responsibility to shovel sidewalks and plow streets. They could be held liable when an injury occurs if they are not clear.
Improper Training: In many cases, slip, and falls happen can happen on the job site. A key element to prevent this from happening is training. Every employee in high-risk industries, such as construction, needs proper training to be safe on the job site.
Footwear: Wearing inadequate footwear causes about a quarter of slip and fall accidents. The biggest risk is present when shoes don’t have the correct type of traction. Improper footwear can lead to slip and fall accidents at work, in public, and even at home. Purchasing footwear can be an expensive investment for some people, but it’s worth it to prevent slip and fall accidents.
After any slip and fall accident in Pennsylvania, it makes sense to become familiar with state laws. Nolo.com tells us about Pennsylvania’s laws for slip and fall accidents as well as the statute of limitations.
Proving Negligence of A Slip and Fall Accident
To secure monetary compensation from slip and fall accidents in Pennsylvania, the injured person files a negligence action. For the negligence action to prevail, the injured party must prove it using the following four elements:
- Whether the responsible party owed a duty of care.
- If the responsible party breached the duty of care by failing to act appropriately.
- Was the responsible party’s breach of duty of care caused the injured party’s injuries.
- Actual damage to the injured party resulted.
Evidence of Negligence In A Slip and Fall Accident
To prove the above elements of slip and fall accident negligence, the injured party can submit evidence to the judge. They can offer the following evidence at trial or to the judge in a pre-trial motion:
Witness Testimony: It’s a good idea to have eyewitnesses testify if the property’s condition caused the accident to occur.
Video and Pictures: Video footage and photographs can help establish if there was a dangerous condition on the property.
Records: Keeping records of the injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents is essential to determine compensation. These records should include medical bills, reports, diagnoses, and lost wages.
Marc T. Valentine & Associates PC Offers Great Personal Injury Service
Going through the process of navigating slip and fall accidents can be emotionally draining. Marc T. Valentine & Associates PC has helped Central Pennsylvania residents get through the ordeal. Our top mission is to make legal proceedings as easy as possible for our clients and protect them financially. Marc T. Valentine & Associates PC prides itself on offering honest advice, as well as high-quality representation. We use our expertise to fight for your rights get you the money you deserve.
Marc T. Valentine & Associates PC has developed an outstanding reputation throughout Central Pennsylvania for providing personal injury services. With a convenient location in Somerset, PA, we work with individuals and families throughout Southern Pennsylvania. For many years, our law office has aided residents who require prompt and professional legal representation. To learn more about our personal injury services, please visit the personal injury page on our website.
For more information, call Marc T. Valentine & Associates PC at (814) 701-2835. We bring extensive experience to the office every single day while proudly serving Central Pennsylvania. We take pride in educating our clients about navigating slip and fall accidents in Southern PA.
