Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere: on a wet floor in a retail store, on an uneven sidewalk, or a poorly lit staircase. If you have slip and fall injuries, you may be suffering and unsure how to begin the process of recovering damages.
If that sounds familiar, know that you are not alone. A Johnstown slip and fall accident lawyer at Berger and Green is here to help. We have over 40 years of experience and are happy to get started on your personal injury case right away. Learn more with a free, no-risk consultation.
Damages Victims May Recover in Slip and Fall Accidents
Every case is different, and we cannot estimate what damages you may be able to collect after your slip and fall accident until we know much more about you and your unique circumstances. However, some of the damages we have recovered for Pennsylvania injury clients include:
- Medical costs, such as ambulance rides, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation, doctors’ visits, and surgeries
- Lost wages, past and present
- Future wages if you cannot return to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
In some cases where the injuries are severe enough, the victim does not survive. In those instances, it is up to the family to fight for the right to pursue damages for the loss of their loved one. Some of the most common damages families have been able to recover after a wrongful death and survival lawsuit include:
- Medical costs
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages and benefits the victim provided
- Loss of support and protection
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
For a free legal consultation with a slip and fall injury lawyer serving Johnstown, call 412-661-1400
Our Johnstown Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyers Can Help
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), injuries suffered in slip and fall accidents have led to millions of emergency room visits and are a major cause of death in the United States. The injuries that result from these accidents can be serious and costly, requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation. In the worst cases, the victim does not survive the accident.
If you are facing mounting medical bills–or worse, the loss of a loved one–because of a slip and fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to hold that person responsible for their actions.
Here are some specific ways our attorneys can help:
- Be available to answer questions you have and provide the support and guidance you need during this stressful time
- Gather evidence like medical records, police reports, and eyewitness statements supporting your claim
- Establish liability in the case
- Negotiate with attorneys or insurance companies to pursue compensation for your injuries
- Pursue damages at trial if we are unable to reach an agreeable settlement outside of court
In other words, our slip and fall accident and injury lawyers serving Johnstown, PA are here to fight for your right to pursue damages in your claim while you focus your time where it is best spent: recovering from your injuries.
How Long Do You Have to Take Action?
Do not delay in filing your case. Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 generally requires victims to file a lawsuit within two years of the accident to recover damages. If a death occurred because of injuries sustained in the slip and fall accident, you have two years from your loved one’s accident to recover damages they accrued from the time of the accident until death. This is known as a survival action.
A wrongful death action recovers compensation for your family for damages resulting from your loved one’s passing. The two-year clock on filing a wrongful death case starts ticking on the date of the victim’s death. Our attorneys can tell you more about these deadlines and how they may affect your case.
Can You Afford Legal Representation?
The last thing we want is to add to your financial burden. That is why our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we never charge upfront or out of pocket for our services. Our payment comes from a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we do not win compensation for you, we do not collect attorney fees.
Johnstown Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Near Me 412-661-1400
Proving Liability After a Slip and Fall Accident
One of the most challenging parts of a slip and fall accident claim can be proving that the owner or manager of the property was negligent and that their negligence caused your accident. Establishing liability in a premises liability case can mean demonstrating that:
- The liable party must have caused the danger and done nothing to correct it;
- The liable party must have known about the danger–even though they did not create it–and did nothing; or
- A reasonable person would have recognized the danger and made changes to prevent the accident.
The above actions or inactions must then have caused your fall and your injuries.
It is up to our Johnstown slip and fall accident attorney to prove what a “reasonable person” should have known and done and establish that negligent or dangerous conditions existed on the property. Examples of trip and fall hazards include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Cracked or broken floorboards or tiles
- Torn carpeting
- Broken stairs/lack of handrails
- Inadequate lighting
- Potholes and cracked pavement/concrete
- Poor snow or ice removal
Click to contact our Johnstown Personal Injury Lawyers today
Common Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents in Johnstown, PA
There are a number of injuries associated with slip and fall accidents. They include:
Head Injuries
Fall accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While mild TBIs may have only temporary effects like a momentary loss of consciousness or headache, moderate to severe cases can cause a loss of coordination or serious and permanent cognitive or mental symptoms.
Hip Fractures
The CDC also reports that the majority of hip fractures in elderly adults are the result of slip and fall accidents. Hip fractures can be serious. Studies like those from the Journal of Internal Medicine indicate that one in three adults over the age of 50 dies within 12 months of a hip fracture.
Shoulder Injuries
Pain can be sudden and severe after a fall onto your shoulder. You may experience bruising, a torn rotator cuff, broken bones, or a dislocation. You may also experience other symptoms like tingling or numbness, and your shoulder may become pale or blue.
Sprains and Fractures
Sprained wrists, twisted knees, or fractured bones are all common injuries after slip and fall accidents.
If you experienced any of these injuries or others after a slip and fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue damages. Berger and Green can help.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Reach Out to Berger and Green Today
We have over 40 years of experience and are proud of the results we have achieved for our clients. Contact us today to take advantage of our free, no-risk consultations and connect with a Johnstown slip and fall accident lawyer near you.
Call or text 412-661-1400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
