Erie
Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one slipped and fell due to another party’s negligence, they may owe you a financial award. You should not bear the costs of your medical care and other damages when someone else is responsible for your accident.

An Erie slip and fall accident lawyer with Berger and Green can protect your rights and pursue justice and fair compensation with a personal injury claim or lawsuit. You can leave your case to our Erie personal injury lawyers, freeing you to focus on recovering from your accident or assisting your injured loved one.

We Can Put More Than 40 Years of Experience to Work for You

Berger and Green has more than 40 years of experience serving personal injury victims and their families. Our case results include multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, and our team includes members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This elite professional organization only accepts attorneys who have achieved million-dollar-plus case results. Let us put our knowledge, decades of experience, and winning record behind your claims.

Recoverable Damages in a Slip and Fall Accident in Erie, PA

Property owners and managers are generally responsible for keeping their premises reasonably safe and free of hazards and dangerous conditions that they know or should have known of. When they fail to do so, they can be held financially liable for their negligence.

In a slip and fall case, there are numerous economic and non-economic damages you may receive. Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers can calculate your damages and add up their cumulative value.

Some recoverable damages in your slip and fall case may include:

Medical Treatment

You may be able to claim any expense related to treatment for your injuries. Medical damages may include costs for emergency medical treatment, surgical procedures, ongoing care, and more.

Loss of Income and Future Earning Capacity

If you are unable to work because of your injuries, our lawyers can seek compensation for the wages you miss from being out of work. If you cannot work the same job as before or must leave the workforce due to your injuries, we can pursue compensation for the loss of your earning capacity. We may also be able to help you apply for disability benefits.

Pain and Suffering

You may receive compensation for your pain and suffering. This non-economic damage provides monetary awards for your physical pain, emotional anguish, and reduced quality of life.

Various Expenses

Our Erie, PA, slip and fall accident lawyers will work to identify and pursue any other economic or non-economic losses related to your trip, slip, and fall accident injury. Other damages you may qualify for include:

• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Household services

After your slip and fall accident in Erie, our legal team will investigate your case and find out what your losses are worth.

Our Lawyers Will Leave No Stone Unturned in Your Slip and Fall Case

While you recuperate, our Erie slip and fall accident lawyer will handle every aspect of your case. Because slip and fall accidents fall under the umbrella of premises liability, we may be able to recover your damages with an insurance claim. We can also take legal action with a lawsuit.

Whatever your best options for seeking compensation, our injury lawyers will handle every detail of your case so you can focus on your health and recovery. The tasks our team will take care of include:

• Identifying the liable party and holding them accountable for their negligence
• Gathering evidence, such as your medical records and surveillance footage that captured the fall
• Collecting your medical bills and records to establish the link between your injuries and your fall
• Interviewing witnesses, if there were any, for their account of what happened
• Hiring an accident reconstructionist or medical expert if necessary
• Negotiating with the insurance company for the maximum compensation possible
• Litigating your case in civil court if the insurance adjuster refuses to agree to a reasonable settlement

Our Erie personal injury lawyers will work to get you the monetary award you deserve after suffering injuries in an avoidable accident. We will keep you updated and informed throughout the duration of your case.

Will My Slip and Fall Case in Erie Go to Trial?

cases settle out of court, offering a faster resolution and less stress for clients. Settlements can provide compensation without the uncertainty of a jury trial. However, in some situations, a trial may be the better option, especially if the insurance company is not offering a fair amount. 

At Berger and Green, we evaluate the specifics of your Erie slip and fall case to help you understand the pros and cons of both options. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome, whether that means negotiating a fair settlement or advocating for you in court.

What Challenges Can I Face in an Erie Slip and Fall Accident?

Slip and fall cases can be challenging for a variety of reasons. The biggest hurdle is often proving that the property owner’s negligence caused the accident. Insurance companies may argue that the injured person was not paying attention or that the hazard should have been obvious. 

Victims must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. As Erie slip and fall lawyers, we understand how to gather evidence and/or preserve evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness testimony, and maintenance records, to build a strong case. 

We are familiar with the local climate, where icy sidewalks and poorly maintained properties can create serious risks. Our experience helps us address the unique challenges faced by slip and fall victims in Erie.

There Is a Deadline for Taking Action for Your Slip and Fall Accident

You should not delay taking legal action, as you have a limited amount of time to do so. In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a slip and fall lawsuit, according to Pa. C.S.A. § 5524.

If you lost a family member to a slip and fall accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Claims for the death of a loved one fall into two categories – survival actions and wrongful death actions. A survival action allows you to recover damages accrued by the decedent from the time of your loved one’s accident until their death. You have two years from the time of the accident to pursue this claim. This can include their pain and suffering as well as any incurred medical expenses. 

Wrongful death actions allow you to recover the damages you incurred from your loved one’s passing, including your non-economic losses. You also have two years to recover these damages, starting with the date of your loved one’s passing. Survival and wrongful death compensation may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost support and services
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of guidance

The sooner you enlist the help of one of our lawyers, the sooner we can get started. We want to ease your financial burden and help you move forward as quickly and easily as possible.

Possible Causes of Your Slip and Fall Accident in Erie

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 44,000 Americans died from fall injuries in the home and workplace in 2021. Some hazards that can lead to slip, trip, and fall accidents include:

• Spills
• Torn carpeting
• Broken stairs
• Missing or broken hand railings
• Loose mats or rugs
• Overextended wires or cords
• Inadequate lighting
• Debris in walkways
• Broken glass

There may also be weather-related hazards that property owners and managers should take care of to ensure no one gets hurt on the premises. For instance, if the entrance to a store is slippery from people coming in from the rain, there should be a wet floor sign to alert guests of the danger.

Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident

Proving liability in a slip and fall case requires demonstrating that the property owner’s negligence led to your injuries. This involves showing that the hazardous condition existed, that the owner knew or should have known about it, and that it directly caused your fall. Our team of Erie slip and fall lawyers has experience gathering crucial evidence, including incident reports, eyewitness statements, and expert testimonies. 

In Erie, local conditions like icy weather can play a role in slip and fall claims, making it essential to work with a lawyer who understands how to handle these complexities. At Berger and Green, we build strong cases to help our clients recover the compensation they deserve.

Legal Responsibilities of Erie Property Owners

In Pennsylvania, property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions on their premises. This duty applies to both residential and commercial properties, including businesses, landlords, and even the city to varying degrees depending on your relationship to the owner. 

Property owners must regularly inspect their premises for potential hazards and promptly address any dangerous conditions, such as wet floors, uneven sidewalks, or ice-covered walkways. If a property owner fails to maintain a safe environment and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable for damages.

It’s crucial to establish that the owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and did not take reasonable steps to fix it. At Berger and Green, our Erie slip and fall lawyers have experience holding negligent property owners accountable. We understand the specific laws and regulations that apply to property owners in Erie, including those related to snow and ice removal.

Berger and Green Works on a Contingency-Fee-Basis

Do not let the concern of whether you can afford a lawyer keep you from seeking legal representation. When you partner with Berger and Green, you pay nothing at the beginning of our partnership. You also pay nothing unless we win your case.

We only get paid if you do. We take our fee and costs from the settlement or court award we may pursue. If we cannot bring your case to a conclusion, you do not pay our attorney’s fees.

What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Erie, PA?

Our slip and fall attorneys will do everything possible to relieve your legal burden. However, there are some simple steps you can take right away to protect your claim for compensation:

• Report your slip and fall to the property owner. If you fell on commercial property, ask the owner or manager to make an incident report and request a copy.
• Take photographs of the area. 
• See a doctor immediately if you have not already. Doing so ensures you do not have undetected injuries and creates a medical record for your case.
• Do not post about your accident or injuries on social media.
• Do not give a written or recorded statement to the insurance company.
• Do not accept a settlement offer until you fully understand the severity of your injuries and the scope of your current and expected losses.

Berger and Green Is Standing by to Be Your Legal Advocate

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation today and speak with one of our compassionate team members. We want to hear the details of your case and discuss how we can help you during this difficult time.

Our slip and fall accident lawyer serving Erie is on your side–not the insurance company’s. We believe the liable party should pay for your losses, and we will fight for the awards you need and deserve.