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Especially during the colder months, a stroll down a public sidewalk can be a deceptively dangerous affair, and slip and fall accidents in these locations are far from uncommon. Unfortunately, even though sidewalk slip and fall accidents in Philadelphia happen fairly frequently, successfully filing suit over injuries caused by this kind of accident can be difficult to accomplish on your own.
Fortunately, support is available from our seasoned slip and fall attorneys who know how to handle all the unique aspects of this type of claim. From establishing who holds legal liability for your injuries to ensuring you are compensated fairly for every form of harm those injuries will cause you to experience, your dedicated legal representative can help you handle every stage of the legal process as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Identifying the Right Defendant(s) for a Sidewalk Slip and Fall Claim
One of the main reasons why sidewalk slip and fall claims in Philadelphia tend to work differently from other types of slip and fall cases is that it is not always obvious who owns or is responsible for maintaining a particular stretch of sidewalk. In some situations, the party most directly liable for a lack of sidewalk maintenance is the City of Philadelphia itself. But, more often, liability falls on an individual landowner—whether they are a landlord, private business owner, or even private residence owner—who failed to maintain the specific section of public sidewalk bordering their property.
Another thing worth mentioning is that, just like with other types of property, sidewalk owners are generally not liable for injuries caused by open and obvious hazards, meaning things that any reasonable person could see and understand to be dangerous. So, while a small and subtle sidewalk crack that leads to someone turning their ankle could potentially justify a claim, a fall into a pothole six feet across may not, even if the pothole was not yet marked or cordoned off.
What Damages Could Be Recoverable?
Regardless of who is liable for a slip and fall accident on a Philadelphia sidewalk, the responsible party(s) can be made to pay financially for every economic and non-economic loss suffered by the injured party. This can include, but is not strictly limited to things like:
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Lost work income or working capacity
- Personal property damage or loss
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Lost enjoyment of life and other effects of permanent disfigurement/disability
A seasoned legal professional can provide custom-tailored guidance about what losses should be factored into a particular claim, how those losses should be valued, and what strategy for pursuing fair compensation would best suit the circumstances.
Talk to a Philadelphia Attorney About a Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accident Claim
Slipping or tripping and falling on a public sidewalk can be mortifying at best and potentially life-changing at worst. Either way, an injury caused by insufficient sidewalk maintenance can potentially serve as grounds for civil litigation.
Representation from a well-practiced lawyer can make a world of difference in whether you can get compensated fairly for injuries you sustained in a sidewalk slip and fall accident in Philadelphia. Learn more by calling today.
