A slip and fall accident can happen in an instant and leave you dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about what comes next. Whether you slipped on an icy sidewalk, fell on a wet floor in a store, or were injured on poorly maintained property, Pennsylvania law may entitle you to compensation from the property owner responsible for the dangerous condition. The key is acting quickly and having experienced legal representation on your side.
When you are injured in a slip and fall accident, you need attorneys who understand Pennsylvania premises liability law, know how to investigate and build these cases, and have the track record to back it up. Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. brings over 170 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Western Pennsylvania.
We handle slip and fall cases on a contingent fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees or expenses unless we win your case. While other law firms typically charge 40%, our fee is only 25%, and we win 99.7% of our cases! We put more money in your pocket!!
Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. represents slip and fall victims throughout Greensburg and Westmoreland County. Our Greensburg personal injury team fights to hold negligent property owners accountable and recover the full compensation our clients deserve. Call us at (412) 391-7610 for a free consultation with an attorney who will tell you what your case is worth.
Where Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Happen in Greensburg
Greensburg is a vibrant community with busy commercial corridors, residential neighborhoods, public spaces, and historic buildings that create a variety of premises liability risks. Slip and fall accidents in the area frequently occur in retail parking lots, grocery stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and on public sidewalks throughout the city. Winter weather in Westmoreland County creates additional hazards; commercial and residential property owners are required by law to clear ice and snow to protect package delivery personnel, business customers, and house guests.
Types of Properties in Greensburg Where Slip and Falls Commonly Occur
Understanding where slip and fall accidents most often happen in Greensburg can help injured victims recognize when negligence may be involved. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C., our attorneys regularly handle premises liability claims arising from unsafe conditions on both private and public properties, and we know how to identify the factors that contribute to these preventable injuries.
Retail Centers and Commercial Properties Along Route 30
The Route 30 corridor through Greensburg includes shopping centers, big-box retailers, restaurants, and commercial properties that attract significant foot traffic year-round. Wet floors near entrances, inadequate floor mats, poor lighting in parking lots, and uneven pavement in high-traffic areas are common conditions that lead to serious falls. Property owners and their management companies have a duty to reasonably inspect the premises and address hazards they knew or should have known about.
Apartment Complexes, Private Residences, and Rental Properties
Landlords and property owners in Greensburg are responsible for maintaining safe conditions in areas under their control for tenants, guests, and visitors. Broken steps, damaged handrails, uneven flooring, inadequate outdoor lighting, and failure to treat icy walkways are recurring issues in residential properties that give rise to premises liability claims. Renters injured on their own property due to a landlord's failure to maintain the premises may have claims against the property owner.
Municipal Sidewalks, Parking Lots, and Public Premises
Falls on city sidewalks, public parking facilities, and other municipal properties present unique considerations under Pennsylvania law. Claims against government entities require compliance with specific notice procedures and carry shorter deadlines than standard personal injury claims. If you were injured on a public sidewalk or municipal property in Greensburg, consulting an attorney before the applicable deadline passes is essential.
How Pennsylvania's Comparative Negligence Law Affects Your Claim
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this framework, you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your fall, as long as your share of fault is less than 51%. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000.00, you would recover $80,000.00.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely attempt to shift blame onto the injured person in slip and fall cases, arguing that the hazard was obvious, that the victim was not paying attention, or that the victim was wearing inappropriate footwear.
An experienced attorney can counter these arguments with evidence establishing the property owner's negligence and minimizing any assigned fault on your part.
Who Can Be Held Liable Under Pennsylvania Premises Liability Law?
Pennsylvania premises liability law imposes a duty of care on property owners and occupiers to maintain reasonably safe conditions for people on their property. The specific duty owed depends on the visitor's status. Business invitees, such as customers in a store, are owed the highest duty of care, requiring the property owner to regularly inspect for hazards and either fix them or warn visitors. Licensees, such as social guests, are owed a duty to warn of known hazards. Trespassers generally receive the least protection, with some exceptions for child trespassers under the attractive nuisance doctrine.
Potentially liable parties in a Greensburg slip and fall case may include:
- Property owners including businesses, landlords, and homeowners
- Commercial tenants who control the area where the fall occurred
- Property management companies responsible for maintenance
- Government entities responsible for public sidewalks and facilities
- Contractors responsible for snow and ice removal or property maintenance
Damages Available in a Greensburg Slip and Fall Case
Common slip and fall injuries include broken bones, hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and soft tissue damage that can require months of treatment and rehabilitation. Depending on your injury, you may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing care
- Future medical costs for injuries requiring long-term treatment
- Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if the injury causes lasting limitations
- Pain and suffering for the physical consequences of the injury
- Emotional distress and psychological harm
- Loss of enjoyment of life for activities no longer available
The total value of a slip and fall case depends on the severity of the injuries, the clarity of the property owner's liability, whether any negligence can be attributed to you, and the strength of the documentation supporting your claim. An experienced slip and fall lawyer can evaluate your claim and provide you an estimate as to the amount of compensation you may be entitled to.
How Long You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including slip and fall cases, is generally two years from the date of the injury. Children have until their 20th birthday to sue. Missing this deadline eliminates your right to pursue compensation regardless of how strong your case may be. For claims against government entities, shorter notice requirements apply and must be satisfied before a lawsuit can be filed.
Two years may seem like sufficient time, but slip and fall cases benefit significantly from early action. Surveillance footage is typically overwritten within days or weeks. Physical conditions at the scene change. Witnesses become harder to locate. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible after a fall preserves your legal options and gives your case the strongest possible foundation.
Contact Our Greensburg Slip and Fall Lawyers for a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Greensburg or anywhere in Westmoreland County, Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. is ready to evaluate your case, explain your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our firm handles cases on a contingent fee basis with no upfront costs, and our fee structure ensures that more of your recovery stays in your pocket.
Contact us at (412) 391-7610 today for a free case review with our Greensburg slip and fall lawyers. You deserve a law firm that looks out for you. Call us today and get the personalized help you need.
