A Philadelphia Slip And Fall Lawyer Discusses Who Is Liable For A Slip And Fall Accident In Rainy Weather?

Spring in Philadelphia means that more pleasant weather is just around the corner. Months of dreary skies and cold temperatures give way in Spring to sunshine and warmer days. However, along with the nicer weather comes a number of safety risks. Melting snow and muddy shoes create a heightened risk of slip and fall accidents. Determining fault for these types of accidents can be difficult, depending on the circumstances you find yourself in. Fortunately, a Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer from our firm understands what it takes to advocate for clients injured in slip and fall accidents. When the Spring weather causes you to slip and fall, the last thing you want is to find yourself wondering how to recover damages for medical treatment, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. Instead of wondering, contact our office today to find out the answers to your questions. A free of charge consultation is yours simply by reaching out to our office. 

What duty is owed to you by property owners?

A property owner owes the public and their patrons a duty to use reasonable efforts to maintain their premises. For the most part, this means keeping the business, sidewalk, or entrance free from conditions that may injure a person on their property. When it comes to slip and fall accidents, there are ample opportunities for a person to be injured in the Spring. Consider that melting snow, mud, and other forms of debris may be tracked inside a business by people walking on and across exterior surfaces. 

What duty is owed to you as a patron of a store or even as a person walking by the establishment? As we just discussed, you are owed a duty of care by a business owner that he or she must clean up any dangerous or hazardous condition within a reasonable amount of time after discovering that condition. If we are talking about melting snow (water) on an interior surface, that can clearly create a slip and fall condition. As a result, the business owes a duty to clean the walking surface within a reasonable amount of time after discovering the existence of the wet surface. 

A homeowner does not owe you a duty to clear their sidewalk or entryway of snow, ice, or other debris as a private business or property owner does. So, if you are walking up the front sidewalk to a person’s home, do not expect that person to owe you a similar duty of care. On the other hand, the homeowner does owe you a duty not to exacerbate or make worse the preexisting snow, ice, or watery debris on their sidewalks. 

Store owners must keep the interiors of their buildings clean from debris

Walking through the city streets of Philadelphia in the Spring means that it is common to walk through melting puddles of snow or even mud. As our cold-weather shoes track in debris to a store or other business, it is critical that the property owner be vigilant about cleaning this area. Indeed, a store owner owes you a duty of care to clean up the interior of a store in much the same way as the exterior. Floor mats need to be free from debris, both on top and underneath their surfaces. 

What should you do after suffering a slip and fall accident in the Spring?

A slip and fall accident can occur in any weather environment, but is especially prevalent in the Spring. As the weather patterns shift from cold to warm, thunderstorms and rain are common in the Spring. With this wet weather comes slippery surfaces in front of and inside area businesses. When you suffer a slip and fall, it is critical that you have a plan in mind on how to best proceed. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., guides clients in these circumstances every day. Here is some helpful information on how to proceed after a slip and fall injury. 

If you are able, take photographs of the area where you slipped and fell. The hazard that led to your fall is especially important to document evidence of. A store, restaurant, or government building may quickly try to mop up or clean whatever condition led to you falling. Instead of waiting until later that day to come back and photograph the hazard, make an attempt to do so immediately following your fall. In the event your injuries prevent you from doing so, ask a companion to snap a photograph. 

Another important consideration is how well you can see the wet area. Much of the time, slip and fall accidents take place in areas of a store or business that are not well-lit. Any documentation you can provide to an insurance company of the lighting arrangements can be helpful. This is especially true if you slipped and fell outside of a business in their parking lot. It happens all the time that an exterior light goes dark, which leads to an unsuspecting patron slipping, falling, and then suffering an injury. 

Reporting your slip and fall to management

Before you leave the store or business, make sure to report the event to a manager or the store’s owner. Different businesses will document the slip and fall in different ways.  For example, a small business may have a very straightforward method of documenting falls and any injuries suffered. On the other hand, a corporate entity or chain of stores may have a formalized method of reporting these events. Be sure to request a copy of the report created by the business before leaving the premises. 

Seeking medical care is critical to your health and to your case

Beyond anything having to do with your legal case in a slip and fall, it is critical to your physical well-being that you seek medical care. The difficulty of deciding whether to seek medical care for a slip and fall comes down to how you feel in that moment. It is possible that you will feel fine after your slip and fall. However, this may have as much to do with adrenaline running through your body as it does with the severity of the injuries you sustained. Many people forego medical attention only to discover that their injuries do not become apparent until the following day. 

A check-up at an urgent care clinic, emergency room, or even your primary care doctor should be considered if you believe it is necessary. Be sure to follow whatever treatment methods are recommended for you by the medical provider. A well-documented medical source can provide a diagnosis, recommendation of next medical steps, and even a prescription for pain medication if that is necessary. 

As you seek medical care, be sure to keep track of receipts or bills. In many situations, you can submit these bills to the at-fault party’s insurance carrier for payment. You may not be in a position where you can pay for these services at the moment. In that case, it is even more important to document your medical care. This way, an insurance company or at-fault party can have a better idea of where you have been treated and for what purpose. 

Injured in a Slip and Fall This Spring? We’re Here to Help

Being injured in a Springtime slip and fall accident is a serious matter. The injuries you sustained can be directly traced to the negligent conduct of a business or property owner. As medical bills begin to accumulate, it is in your best interests to follow a plan to address those bills and care for yourself. Where can you turn if you do not know what to do next?

A Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer knows what you are going through. Our team of legal professionals works alongside injured Philadelphians every day. A slip and fall accident can cost you a great deal. Medical care, missed time at work, pain and suffering, as well as a loss of your well-being. This is what is at stake in a slip and fall accident case. While it is appropriate to have questions about these matters, it is best to resolve those questions sooner rather than later.

Contact an experienced Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

Reach out to a Philadelphia slip and fall lawyer today for a free consultation. We can provide you with the information you need to develop a strategy focused on physical health and maximize compensation for your damages. Insurance companies and at-fault business owners will not help you unless you demand it. We do not take our clients for granted. Instead, our team focuses on the injuries, goals, and outcomes of each client individually. When it comes to advocating for the rights of clients, Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., is second to none. We fight for our clients and their rights inside and outside the courtroom.