Why File a Premises Liability Lawsuit?

At one time or another, individuals may fall in a public place or work environment. Although this may sound innocuous, if the individual sustains any type of significant injury due to the property or business owners’ negligence in maintaining or safeguarding the property, the owner could be liable for the victim’s slip and fall accident. In many cases, victims may not realize that filing a lawsuit against the owner is a viable option. The slip and fall lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates want victims who sustained injuries during an unexpected fall to understand the importance of filing a premises liability lawsuit.

Slip and fall accident victims may be entitled to damages through a premises liability lawsuit. If the plaintiff files a claim within the two-year statute of limitations, according to Pennsylvania State Law, possible damages that may be recovered include:

• Medical Expenses – Medical bills that include ambulatory services, hospitalization for injuries, and follow-up care may pile up. Overwhelming expenses may be a challenge for victims and their families to pay without monetary assistance that may accompany a successful premises liability lawsuit.  
• Therapy and Rehabilitation Services – Even minor injuries may require a variety of therapies to aid in the healing process for the accident victim. In cases where the victim sustained serious or life-changing injuries, the victim may need extended recovery time in a rehabilitation facility. If the victim developed a permanent disability, continued therapeutic remedies may be required.
• Pain and Suffering – Victims of a traumatic incident may endure pain and suffering, which may result in anxiety, depression, and mental distress.
• Reduction of Quality and Enjoyment of Life – Victims attempting to recover from an injury and readjust to their new circumstances may face a reduction in their quality of life, which compounds the emotional trauma they are experiencing.
• Loss of Income – Even if the individual can return to work, the recovery process may make it difficult to stay at their current job or with their present employer. This may mean a reduction in or absence of income, which can create financial issues for the entire family.
• Future Lost Earnings – Victims may be entitled to income they may have earned but lost during the slip and fall accident that prevented them from continuing to work.
• Inability to Independently Function or Complete Daily Life Tasks – Some injuries may leave a victim with limited capabilities, which may impact the performance of household tasks and other basic daily living tasks. If the victim developed a permanent disability, the individual may need to relearn how to function in daily life through significant amounts of therapy or may need to hire a nurse or companion to assist with daily tasks.
• Lost Career Opportunities – Before an accident, victims may be rising stars in their industry, but an accident may interrupt or even upend their career goals, which may eliminate or reduce career opportunities they once had.

Potential Challenges to a Slip and Fall Claim

One consideration to remember when filing a premises liability lawsuit is the theory of comparative negligence. The amount of damages that are recoverable in a case depends on the possibility that the victim may have partially contributed to the slip and fall accident. Evidence must be presented proving that the property or business owner indeed knowingly failed to maintain or secure the area in which the victim fell or sustained injuries, and that the victim was less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. A comparison will be weighed to assess how much responsibility the victim and the property owner may possess.

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates Successfully Pursue Premises Liability Claims

If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall accident, the skilled Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates will fight for the compensation to which you are entitled. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call us at 215-569-9100 or contact us online. We assist clients in Central Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Bucks County.