According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 450,000 employees in the U.S. sustain injuries from slip, trip, or fall incidents that result in time away from work each year. On a broader scale, unintentional falls — including both occupational and non-occupational settings — claim over 46,000 lives, according to the National Safety Council.
Whether caused by wet or icy surfaces, uneven walkways, poor lighting, or inadequate maintenance, these incidents can lead to serious harm. If you or someone you care about has suffered a significant injury or loss from a fall, the team at Kline & Specter, PC, can help. Since 1995, our attorneys have advocated for victims of severe accidents and ensured they get the support and expert advice they deserve.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident involves someone being injured after losing balance and falling due to a hazardous condition on another person’s property. These incidents often involve unsafe surfaces such as wet floors, uneven pavement, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, or missing handrails.
In legal terms, a slip-and-fall may qualify as a premises liability case if the property owner or manager did not maintain safe conditions or failed to warn visitors about known dangers. To pursue a claim, the injured person must show that the property owner’s negligence directly caused the accident and resulting injuries.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries often result from unsafe property conditions that could have been prevented with proper maintenance. Examples include:
- Wet or slippery floors from spills or recent cleaning
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks
- Loose carpeting
- Poor lighting
- Cluttered walkways
- Unshoveled snow and ice (in winter)
- Damaged stairs or missing handrails
When property owners don’t address or warn about these dangers, they may be held responsible for resulting injuries.
Common Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
Victims of slip and fall accidents can experience a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to severe, long-term harm. Common injuries include:
- Sprains, fractures, and dislocations, especially in the wrists, ankles, and hips
- Head injuries, including concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
Following these injuries, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work are often required. They can result in serious physical, emotional, and financial strain for the injured person and their family.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
After a slip and fall accident, do the following:
- Get medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager and ask for a written report.
- Take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and any conditions that contributed to the fall.
- Gather contact information from witnesses.
- Preserve copies of all medical records, bills, and correspondence related to the incident.
- Speak to an experienced slip and fall attorney who can assess your case, determine liability, and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Compensation Available in Slip and Fall Claims
Compensation in slip and fall claims can cover economic and non-economic losses.
Victims may be entitled to reimbursement for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages due to time missed from work. If the injuries cause long-term disability or reduced earning capacity, future financial losses may also be included.
Non-economic damages often address pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving extreme negligence or reckless disregard for safety, punitive damages may be awarded to hold the property owner accountable and deter similar conduct in the future.
Slip and Fall Accidents in the News
Transit agencies and the city of Philadelphia have paid millions of dollars to victims of subway slip-and-fall accidents, yet they have yet to fix the hazards. The problem of leaking ceilings and slippery floors remains even after they caused serious injuries to passengers. At trial in one slip-and-fall case, SEPTA workers testified they had reported the leak to supervisors for years. SEPTA has had 513 slip-and-fall cases in the last five years, and two Philadelphia region port authorities have paid $17.6 million for 46 cases over the last 10 years.
Read what our Clients are saying!
"From initial consult through final settlement of our case, Kline & Specter are top rated. Our counsel was extremely knowledgeable and experienced. We immediately felt at ease with our decision to retain Kline & Specter. Throughout the handling of our case, we always had someone in their office to speak with us and keep us abreast of what was happening and what to expect as they vigorously worked toward a better-than-expected resolution to our case. I would highly recommend Kline & Specter to anyone seeking legal assistance as a result of serious injury or death."
Why Choose Kline & Specter for Representation in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Kline & Specter, P.C. has built a reputation as one of the nation’s most accomplished personal injury law firms. Founded in 1995 by Tom Kline and Shanin Specter, the firm has grown to more than 50 attorneys — five of whom are also medical doctors — and has achieved record-setting verdicts and settlements. In one notable case, a Delaware jury awarded $19.9 million to a teenage girl left paralyzed after hospital staff failed to prevent a fall (Sparber v. DuPont). With decades of courtroom success and a commitment to justice, Kline & Specter delivers the skill, resources, and experience needed to handle complex slip and fall claims.
Discuss Your Slip and Fall Case Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe, and when they fail to do so, victims have the right to seek justice.
Kline & Specter, P.C. has decades of experience holding negligent parties accountable and helping clients secure meaningful results. Call 215-772-1000 or submit our contact form to discuss your unique situation and find out if you have a valid legal claim.
Kline & Specter provides free and confidential evaluations of potential cases. Kline & Specter handles cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. For cases outside those states, the law firm works with local attorneys in each state as applicable.
