Slip and Fall Claims

Slip and fall claims fall under a legal category called premises liability: property owners and occupiers have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors, and can be held responsible when a hazard they knew about — or should have discovered — causes an injury.

Common Causes

• Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
• Uneven or broken pavement and flooring
• Poor lighting in stairwells or parking areas
• Loose rugs, mats, or cables
• Snow and ice left uncleared
• Cluttered walkways or aisles

Who May Be Held Liable

The property owner, a tenant, a property management company, or a maintenance contractor can be liable, depending on who controlled the area and who was responsible for maintenance at the time of the fall.

Evidence That Often Matters

• Photos of the hazard before it is fixed or removed
• Incident report filed with the property or store
• Surveillance footage, which is often only kept for a short period
• Witness names and contact information
• Records showing how long the hazard existed (maintenance or inspection logs)

What Compensation May Cover

Compensation can include medical treatment for fractures, head injuries, or soft-tissue damage, lost income, and pain and suffering. Because fall injuries are common among older adults, cases sometimes also involve long-term care costs.

Compensation in a personal injury case is typically grouped into economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Some states cap certain categories of damages, and rules on shared fault can reduce an award if you were partly responsible. An attorney licensed in your state can explain how these rules apply to your situation.

Time Limits to Be Aware Of

Every state sets its own statute of limitations for personal injury claims, generally ranging from one to several years from the date of the injury, with important exceptions (such as claims against a government agency, which often require a notice filed within months). Missing a deadline can permanently bar a claim, so it's worth confirming the applicable deadline early.

Also Worth Knowing

Many states apply a comparative fault rule, meaning your own compensation can be reduced if you were also found partly careless — for example, if a warning sign was posted and ignored.