Can You Sue for a Fall on Private Property in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve been injured after slipping or falling on someone else’s private property in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering if you have a legal claim. The answer is: sometimes. Pennsylvania law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation when a property owner’s negligence contributed to their injury. However, proving fault and winning a claim can be complex and depends on several key legal factors. Our premises liability lawyers help injured clients understand their rights and act after a serious fall.
Understanding Premises Liability in PA
Under Pennsylvania’s premises liability laws, property owners have a legal obligation to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. This includes homes, businesses, rental properties, and other private spaces. If a property owner fails to fix a hazardous condition—or even fails to warn about it—and someone gets hurt as a result, the injured party may have the right to sue for damages.
This area of law is based on the concept of negligence. A successful claim must show that the property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to take proper action.
Duty of Care for Different Types of Visitors
Pennsylvania law recognizes three types of visitors, and the level of care owed to each differs:
- Invitees: These are individuals invited onto the property for the owner’s benefit, such as customers in a store. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care and must regularly inspect the premises for potential dangers.
- Licensees: These are social guests or people visiting for their purposes. Owners must warn licensees about known dangers that aren’t obvious.
- Trespassers: Property owners generally owe limited duty to trespassers, except they cannot intentionally harm them and must take reasonable steps to prevent injury from known, hidden dangers in some cases (such as children near a swimming pool).
Conditions That May Lead to Liability
Not every fall leads to a valid claim, but certain dangerous conditions can be a sign of negligence, such as:
- Snow- or ice-covered sidewalks or steps
- Cracked or uneven flooring
- Loose handrails or unstable stairs
- Inadequate lighting in entryways or stairwells
- Spilled liquids or slippery surfaces left uncleaned
- Failure to post warning signs near hazards
If a property owner failed to correct or warn about these conditions, and you were injured as a result, you may have a strong case.
When You May Have Grounds to Sue
To succeed in a premises liability claim, you must show that the owner either knew about the hazard or should have known through regular inspection. For example:
- A tenant reports a broken step that remains unfixed for weeks
- That a store fails to mop up a spill despite multiple customer complaints
- If the homeowner ignores icy sidewalks despite knowing guests are arriving
In these cases, the owner’s negligence may justify legal action.
How to Prove Your Case
Evidence is key in a slip-and-fall claim. Right after your fall:
- Take photos of the scene and the hazardous condition
- Get names and contact info for any witnesses
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager
- Seek medical attention and document all injuries
- Preserve clothing or footwear worn at the time
An experienced attorney can help collect additional evidence, such as maintenance logs or surveillance footage.
Consult our Knowledgeable Slip and Fall Lawyer in PA
If you’ve been hurt in a fall on private property, don’t try to handle the situation alone. The legal team at Fanelli, Evans, & Patel is here to help you understand your rights, evaluate your case, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today online or call us at 570-622-2455 for a free consultation, and let us help you hold negligent property owners accountable.