Using the laundry mat is not always easy. Besides navigating crowds and dealing with non-working machines, you also have to be careful with the floors. If you slip and fall in a Philadelphia laundry mat, you may have serious injuries. Someone else may be responsible for those losses, and a Philadelphia premises liability lawyer can assist you.
Understanding PA’s Premise Liability Laws
Owners owe a duty of care to any person using their property. That means they must minimize risks to visitors. This typically means eliminating hazardous situations that could cause a fall. If they cannot eliminate it, they must warn of the risk. When owners fail to do so, Pennsylvania’s premises liability law provides the right to seek compensation for the losses you have suffered.
The burden of proof is on you, the victim. You must demonstrate that the owner knew of the risk or should have known of the risk. You then must demonstrate that they did not act or act well enough to prevent you from falling. You must show your injuries are from the accident. To do that, make sure you follow a few steps after your accident.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident at a Laundry Mat
What you do after the accident matters. It defines what your rights are. It also helps clarify fault and demonstrate loss. If you have injuries after a slip and fall accident in a Philadelphia laundry mat, take these steps.
Focus on Your Safety
If you fall and cannot get up, call 911 to request support. Keep in mind that you should not strain yourself. This is especially true if you struck your head while falling.
Gather Information from the Scene
A critical step in this process is obtaining evidence of what occurred and why. Photos and video can help you demonstrate this later. Some of the most important things to include:
- Photos of the wet or otherwise slippery floor
- Any evidence of spills nearby, such as soap bottles that someone dropped
- Information on the layout of the space, including where the incident occurred in relation to the pathway through the space
- A video that shows the layout of the area, including the lack of a wet floor sign
- Photos that show your injuries
This is also a good time to ask for the names and contact information for anyone at the scene of the accident. That information can substantiate your claims later.
Get Medical Care
Go to the urgent care or emergency department. Tell the medical providers what happened to you. That’s important because many injuries are not obvious. A broken bone may be, but a concussion from striking your head is less obvious right away.
Gather documents from your appointment that detail your injuries. That information becomes vital in proving your rights later. It also helps you determine which additional steps you need to take to obtain medical care. Follow up with your doctors and complete all recommended care.
Contact the Owner
Once your health is on the mend, contact the property owner to inform them of your injury. You do not need to file a claim at this point. You will need to alert the property owner of what occurred and where.
Start a Journal
With serious injuries and losses, you may not remember everything that you suffer later. For that reason, start a journal now. Document:
- All doctors’ appointments, diagnoses, and treatment plans
- All days and hours missed at work or school due to your injuries
- Pain and emotional trauma that are experienced each day
- Implications for your life, such as not being able to maintain responsibilities or expected activities
- Any out-of-pocket costs associated with the accident and your recovery
This information works to establish the impact the accident has on you and your health. The more detail you have, the better.
Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer
Do not file a claim with the insurance company just yet. Instead, contact a premises liability attorney in Philadelphia to guide you. Our legal team at Kwartler Manus will work with you to uncover all losses you have and report them to the insurance company. We will:
- Determine fault by outlining the clear negligence of the property owner for failing to maintain the property
- Document all of your losses from injuries to missed time at work
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement, documenting with evidence the losses you have
We become an advocate for you. During this process, we will pursue fair compensation to the fullest extent permitted by law. Most of the time, we get the insurance company to settle in your favor. If they do not, we will pursue legal action. The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is two years, which gives you that length of time to file a lawsuit if we need to do so.
Call Kwartler Manus in Philadelphia Today
Set up a free consultation with our legal team now. Let our Philadelphia premises liability accident lawyer help you get the compensation owed after a slip and fall accident. Kwartler Manus is a trusted, local firm with a strong reputation for results.