Fall cases are won on one question: did the property owner know — or should they have known — about the hazard, and fail to fix or warn? That’s why the store’s “we’re not liable” letter isn’t the end of anything. Our firm has handled Philadelphia premises cases for more than two decades, from supermarket spills to broken rowhouse steps.
What Pennsylvania Law Requires You to Prove
Property owners owe visitors a duty of care that varies with why you were there, and liability turns on notice: a spill that sat for an hour is a case; one that happened seconds before you arrived usually isn’t. Evidence of notice — inspection logs, camera footage, prior complaints — disappears quickly, which is why we send preservation letters immediately. Our guide to proving fault in a slip and fall explains the framework, and Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule (recovery allowed if you’re not more than 50% at fault) answers the inevitable “you should have watched where you were going.”
Philadelphia-Specific Hazards
- Sidewalks. In Philadelphia, abutting property owners are generally responsible for maintaining their sidewalks — our post on cracked and broken sidewalk falls covers who’s on the hook; claims involving City property carry the six-month government notice deadline. City maintenance standards live at phila.gov.
- Stairs and railings — code violations make strong cases; see falls on staircases and our stairway accident page.
- Rental properties — landlord vs. tenant responsibility is its own analysis; our rental liability post explains it.
- Snow and ice — Pennsylvania’s “hills and ridges” doctrine sets a specific standard for natural accumulations; timing and property records decide these.
Falls Are Not Minor
Falls are a leading cause of serious injury — CDC injury data puts them among the top causes of TBI and hip fractures, especially for older adults (MedlinePlus covers the medical side). Broken bones, head injuries, and spinal damage from falls deserve the same serious treatment as any crash — our premises liability page covers the broader field.
Frequently Asked Questions
The store says I should have seen the hazard. Case over?
No — that’s a comparative negligence argument, not a defense that ends the claim. Pennsylvania reduces recovery by your share of fault and bars it only above 50%. Obviousness cuts both ways: if it was that visible, why hadn’t the owner fixed it?
I fell on a City sidewalk. Is that different?
Meaningfully. Claims involving government property require written notice within six months and face immunity rules with specific exceptions — and often the abutting private owner shares responsibility. The short deadline makes early advice critical.
I didn’t report the fall when it happened. Do I still have a case?
Possibly — an incident report helps but isn’t required. Medical records, witnesses, photos, and camera footage can establish what happened. Report it now, in writing, and preserve what you have.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania?
Generally two years from the date of injury under Pennsylvania law, but important exceptions exist — shorter notice deadlines for claims against government entities (including SEPTA and the City), and different rules for minors and late-discovered injuries. Treat two years as the outer marker and get specific advice about your dates early.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee: you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. The percentage and how case costs (filing fees, records, experts) are handled are spelled out in a written fee agreement before you sign anything, and the initial consultation is free.
Hurt on someone else’s property? Call (215) 464-4600 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. We handle injury cases on a contingency fee: no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you, with case costs explained in the written fee agreement before you sign.