Personal Injury — Slip, Trip and Fall
Injured in a Slip, Trip or Fall?
From Ilona’s Desk
A Fall That Happens in a Second
A Fall That Happens in a Second
Can Change Your Life for Months — or Longer.
Slip, trip, and fall cases are some of the most common personal injury matters I handle — and also some of the most underestimated. People often feel embarrassed after a fall. They assume it was their own fault, or that it wasn’t serious enough to pursue. Then the weeks pass, the medical bills arrive, the time off work adds up, and the reality of what happened starts to sink in.
Property owners, businesses, landlords, and municipalities have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for the people who use their spaces. When they fail — a wet floor with no warning sign, a cracked sidewalk that’s been reported and ignored, a poorly lit staircase in an apartment building — and someone gets hurt, that’s not an accident. That’s negligence. And it’s compensable.
If you fell on someone else’s property and you’re dealing with the consequences, please don’t assume nothing can be done. Call me. These cases are more viable than most people think — and the sooner we act, the stronger your position.
We Handle These Cases
Common Slip, Trip and Fall Injury Claims
Wet or Slippery Floors
Spills, freshly mopped floors, leaking refrigeration units in grocery stores — a wet floor without an adequate warning sign is one of the most straightforward premises liability situations there is.
Uneven or Cracked Sidewalks and Pavement
Broken sidewalks, uneven pavement, potholes in parking lots — if a hazard has existed long enough that the property owner should have known about it and failed to fix it, they’re liable for what it causes.
Poorly Lit Areas
Stairwells, parking garages, hallways — inadequate lighting hides hazards and creates conditions where falls are almost inevitable. Lighting failures are a documented and actionable form of negligence.
Defective Stairs and Handrails
Loose steps, broken handrails, inconsistent riser heights — staircase defects are among the most serious fall hazards in both residential and commercial properties. Falls on stairs frequently cause severe injuries.
Trip Hazards in Retail and Public Spaces
Merchandise left in aisles, loose carpet, raised thresholds, tangled cords — retailers and public facilities have a duty to keep walkways clear and safe for customers and visitors.
Outdoor Hazards and Weather-Related Falls
Ice and snow left uncleared, standing water at building entrances, slippery outdoor walkways — property owners are responsible for addressing known weather hazards within a reasonable time.
After the Fall
7 Steps That Protect Your Claim
Businesses and property owners move quickly after a fall on their premises — cleaning up the hazard, filing their own internal report, and sometimes disputing that it happened at all. Here’s how to make sure your version of events is protected.
1
Get Medical Care the Same Day
Fall injuries — fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, soft tissue damage — can worsen significantly if left untreated. Get evaluated immediately, even if you feel you can walk it off. A same-day medical record connecting your injury to the fall is one of the most important documents in your case.
2
Report the Fall to the Property Owner or Manager
Before you leave, tell a manager or property owner what happened and ask that an incident report be filed. Request a copy — or at minimum, get the name of who you spoke to and the time. This creates an official record that is very difficult for the business to later deny.
3
Photograph the Hazard Immediately
This is the most time-sensitive step. Wet floors get mopped, cracked pavement gets patched, warning signs appear after the fact. Photograph the exact hazard that caused your fall — from multiple angles — before anything is cleaned, moved, or repaired.
4
Ask About Security Camera Footage
Most commercial properties have cameras covering entrances, aisles, and common areas. Note the camera locations and formally request that footage be preserved. It gets overwritten on a regular cycle — often within 24 to 72 hours. Act fast.
5
Get Witness Information
Other customers, employees, anyone who saw you fall or saw the hazard beforehand. A witness who can confirm the condition existed before your fall — or that no warning signs were present — can be decisive in a disputed case.
6
Don’t Accept What the Business Offers on the Spot
A manager may offer to pay your immediate medical costs or ask you to sign something before you leave. Decline politely. Any immediate payment or release offered at the scene is designed to close liability before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Call us first.
7
Keep the Shoes You Were Wearing
Defense attorneys and insurance companies sometimes argue that inappropriate footwear caused or contributed to a fall. Keep the shoes you were wearing — don’t clean or alter them. If they were reasonable and appropriate for the setting, that evidence supports your position.
What You May Recover
A Fall That Looks Simple From the Outside
A Fall That Looks Simple From the Outside
Can Have a Very Long Recovery on the Inside.
Hip fractures, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries from hitting your head — fall injuries are frequently more serious and longer-lasting than people initially expect. And the costs compound quickly: surgery, physical therapy, time off work, home modifications, ongoing pain management. A settlement that only covers your first few medical bills is not a fair settlement.
In states where our firm is licensed — California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New York, and Texas — slip, trip and fall victims may be entitled to:
- Emergency and ongoing medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Long-term care and future medical expenses
- Permanent disability and loss of quality of life
Every case is different. Let’s sit down — free of charge — and I’ll give you an honest picture of what yours is worth.
$0
Upfront. Always.
Upfront. Always.
No Win, No Fee — Period.
You’re already dealing with enough. Our contingency fee model means we only get paid when you do. There’s no financial risk to getting the legal help you need right now.
Got Questions?
Slip, Trip and Fall FAQ
How do I prove the property owner knew about the hazard?
You don’t always have to prove they knew — only that they should have known. If a hazard existed long enough that a reasonable inspection would have found it, that’s generally sufficient. Maintenance logs, prior complaint records, inspection schedules, and witness testimony about how long the condition existed are all tools we use to establish this. Security footage is especially valuable when it shows the hazard was present before your fall.
What if I was partly distracted or not watching where I was going?
This is one of the most common defenses in slip and fall cases — that the victim wasn’t paying attention. In most states where we practice, comparative negligence rules apply. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation — reduced by your share of responsibility. A business cannot escape liability for a genuinely dangerous condition simply because a customer was looking at their phone. The hazard still should not have been there.
What if the fall happened on public property — a city sidewalk or government building?
Claims against government entities are possible but involve significantly shorter deadlines and special filing requirements. In Florida, for example, you may need to file a notice of claim within three years, but the process has specific steps. In California, a government claim must often be filed within six months of the incident. If your fall happened on public property, contact us immediately — missing these deadlines is one of the most common ways valid claims are lost.
The business says there was a wet floor sign. Does that end my case?
Not necessarily. A wet floor sign placed after the fact, positioned where it couldn’t reasonably be seen, or used as a substitute for actually fixing a chronic leak is not an automatic defense. We look at where the sign was, when it was placed, and whether it was adequate warning for the specific hazard in that specific location. The presence of a sign is a factor — not a verdict.
I slipped at work. Is this a workers’ comp case or a personal injury case?
Potentially both. Workers’ compensation typically covers workplace injuries regardless of fault. However, if a third party’s negligence contributed to your fall — a contractor, a cleaning service, a product manufacturer — you may also have a personal injury claim that runs alongside your workers’ comp case. The two are not mutually exclusive, and pursuing both can significantly increase your total recovery.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim?
Most states where we practice have a two-year statute of limitations for premises liability claims. Florida recently changed from four years to two. But the clock on evidence starts immediately — surveillance footage is overwritten, witnesses forget details, and hazards get fixed. The sooner you contact us, the more we can preserve. Don’t wait until you’ve recovered physically to start the legal process.
Do you handle slip and fall cases in my state?
We’re licensed in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New York, and Texas. Premises liability and slip and fall cases are a core part of our personal injury practice. Each state has its own rules around what a property owner must know and do — and we know those rules well. If you were injured on someone else’s property in any of those states, reach out and let’s talk through what happened.
Ready When You Are
Let’s Talk — Free, No Pressure,
Let’s Talk — Free, No Pressure,
No Obligation.
I know reaching out to an attorney can feel like a big step. It doesn’t have to be. Tell me what happened, and I’ll give you an honest picture of your options — no judgment, no sales pitch, just real guidance.
Available in English and Polish · No fees unless we win