Slip & Fall Accident Attorneys in Pittsburgh

Slip & Fall Accident Claim FAQ

The following are several frequently asked questions about slip and fall claims in Pittsburgh:

What should I do immediately after slipping and falling, even if I feel okay?

Immediately after a fall, it’s important to take certain steps to protect your health and preserve evidence. First, get medical attention; some injuries (like internal bleeding or concussions) may not show symptoms right away. Even if you believe you are fine, injuries sometimes worsen over time, so it’s better to have medical records from right away. Next, if possible, document the scene by taking photos or video of the area, any hazards (wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, etc.), and your surroundings. Also, see if there were witnesses, and get their contact information. Lastly, call a lawyer.

Can I file a claim slip and fall in a home or only in public or commercial places?

You can have a slip-and-fall injury almost anywhere. While many cases occur in public places (stores, sidewalks, apartment complexes, workplaces, etc.), some cases begin from accidents that happened in private homes. For example, if a homeowner fails to fix a dangerous condition like loose floorboards, broken steps, or slippery floors, they could be responsible for any injuries suffered by a visitor who slips or trips on their property. In such cases, the claim is usually filed against the relevant homeowner’s insurance policy.

What kinds of injuries commonly result from slip-and-fall accidents?
Slip-and-fall accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some minor and some very serious. In fact, accidental falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among seniors, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Common injuries caused by slip-and-fall accidents include:

• Sprains, strains, or torn ligaments (especially ankles, knees, and wrists)
• Fractures or broken bones
• Head injuries, including concussions
• Back, neck, and spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

In some cases, more serious and life-threatening complications may arise, especially for older adults or people with preexisting conditions.

Does it matter what footwear I had on or how I fell?

Your footwear could affect your chances of accidentally slipping and falling. How you fell and how you landed could both affect your injuries and their severity. However, such details are usually only brought up by defendants to try to unfairly place liability on the person who slipped and fell on their property. Generally, courts have not been convinced that a plaintiff should be partially liable for a slip-and-fall accident because they “wore the wrong kind of shoes” or they “didn’t do enough to break their own fall.” 

How long does recovery usually take after a slip-and-fall injury?

Recovery time for slip-and-fall injuries varies widely depending on how severe the injury is, what body parts were injured, your age, your overall health, and how quickly treatment begins. Serious injuries like fractures can take months or longer to start showing promising signs of improvement. Physical therapy for an extended period is often needed. It's also common for pain, stiffness, or other symptoms to linger for weeks after the initial healing. When demanding compensation through an injury claim, it’s important to consider the expected recovery timeline and any future costs.

Can I still use my health insurance after a slip-and-fall accident?

Yes. In most cases, your health insurance will cover medical treatment needed after a slip-and-fall accident, just like for any other accident or illness. The medical and insurance records created when you seek treatment can be very important if you later decide to consult an attorney about what happened. Make sure to follow through with recommended treatments and visits so your medical record reflects your full recovery journey.

What kinds of evidence should I try to preserve after a slip-and-fall?
Preserving evidence after a slip-and-fall accident is an important step, but it is one that many people miss. After you fall, you might not be in any condition to start collecting evidence. If you call our attorneys right away, though, we might be able to send someone from our team over to the scene relatively quickly to begin evidence collection or look for anything you might have missed.

Key items that might help your claim include:

• Photographs or videos of the scene (before the hazard is fixed, if possible), including angles that show the hazard (flooring condition, lighting, slippery liquid, steps, surfaces, etc.)
• Clothing, shoes, or other items you had on when you fell (especially if damaged)
• Witness contact information
• Documentation of medical treatment (doctor’s notes, test results, imaging, prescriptions, therapy records, etc.)
• Any reports at the location (incident reports from the store, property manager, or supervisor)
• Receipts for expenses related to the fall