Winter Slip and Fall Accidents in Harrisburg: How You Can Protect Your Rights In A Premises Liability Claim

Snow, ice, and other wintry weather conditions significantly increase the likelihood of slips and falls in Harrisburg. Sidewalks and parking lots pose obvious risks, but serious injuries can happen due to falls in shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants, office buildings, and other public spaces.

Under the Pennsylvania Statutes, property owners have a legal duty to properly maintain and take other steps to protect the safety of people on their property. When they fail to address wintry conditions and fall accidents happen, they can be held liable for the losses you suffer. Our Harrisburg personal injury lawyer wants you to be aware of the risks and how to protect your rights in an injury claim.

Harrisburg Slip and Fall Accidents: Know The Risks

Close to 3,000 people are hospitalized each year due to accidental injuries in Dauphin County.  According to Pennsylvania Community Health Assessments, slips and falls are one of the most common ways they happen.

Falls pose significantly increased risks during the winter months, when it is dark and sidewalks are frequently covered by either snow or ice. However, they are also common in stores, office buildings, and other public places, often due to negligence on the part of property owners. Examples include:

• Failing to shovel parking lots or salt icy sidewalk surfaces;
• Failing to clean up snow and slush tracked inside, leaving floors dangerously slick;
• Dimly lit areas, which make it harder to spot icy or wet patches;
• Failing to post warning signs of potential hazards;
• Lack of maintenance and failure to address broken railings, uneven sidewalks, or damaged flooring materials.

Your Rights In A Harrisburg Premises Liability Claim

Property owners are legally required to provide routine maintenance and warn visitors of potential hazards. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for damages victims suffer under the Pennsylvania Statutes.

You generally have two options when filing a Harrisburg premises liability claim. You can hold property owners accountable through their insurer, or file a premises liability lawsuit through the Dauphin County Civil Court. To protect your rights in either type of claim, take these steps when slip and fall accidents in Harrisburg happen:

• Notify the property owner, manager, or landlord immediately and request a written incident report
• Take photos of what caused your fall and get contact information for any witnesses at the scene;
• Even if your injuries appear relatively minor, get medical care and follow all doctor instructions;
• Do not provide any statements to insurers without getting legal help first.

Request A Consultation Today With Our Experienced Harrisburg Personal Injury Lawyer

Slip and fall accidents in Harrisburg are common during the winter and can leave you suffering serious injuries that leave you facing medical bills, lost wages, and other costs for long after. To get the compensation you are entitled to, contact Ira H. Weinstock, P.C. We provide trusted legal representation and protect your rights throughout the claim process. Request a consultation today with our experienced Harrisburg personal injury lawyer.

Sources:

pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/healthstatistics/behavioralstatistics/injurystatistics/documents/2023%20county%20injury%20profile.pdf

pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/022/chapter237/s237.8.html&d=reduce