Slip & Fall in Pennsylvania
A fall on someone else's property isn't automatically their fault in Pennsylvania — what the owner owed you depends on why you were there.
What you should know
Property owners owe the highest duty to invitees (like customers), a lesser duty to licensees, and the least to trespassers. For snow and ice, Pennsylvania's 'hills and ridges' doctrine generally protects owners unless the ice had accumulated in ridges or elevations that unreasonably obstructed travel and the owner had notice.
What typically causes them
- Wet or freshly mopped floors
- Snow and ice accumulation
- Uneven pavement and torn carpet
- Poor lighting
- Missing handrails
- Unmarked hazards
Injuries we see
- Hip and pelvic fractures
- Wrist and arm fractures
- Head injuries
- Back and spinal injuries
- Knee injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
Steps to take after a slip & fall
- 1
Get medical attention
- 2
Report the fall to the property owner or manager
- 3
Photograph the hazard immediately
- 4
Get witness information
- 5
Keep the shoes and clothing you wore
- 6
Consult an attorney before giving a statement
You must usually prove the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it. The hills-and-ridges doctrine and comparative negligence (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102) frequently decide snow-and-ice cases.
Recovery may include medical expenses, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering.
In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524). Missing this deadline usually bars your claim entirely, so it is critical to act well before it runs.
Keep reading before you talk to an adjuster
Don't let a Pennsylvania slip & fall ruin your future.
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