Slips, Dog Bites & More: 12 Grounds to File a Premises Liability Claim in Pennsylvania

If you or your child has been injured in a premises-related accident, you may be entitled to just compensation under Pennsylvania law. Injury victims and their families can file claims in a wide range of circumstances and work with an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer to ensure they are seeking the full compensation they deserve.

When Can You File a Premises Liability Claim in Pennsylvania?

Do you have a claim? Here are 12 common grounds for filing premises liability claims in Pennsylvania:

1. Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Slip-and-fall accidents are easily among the most common grounds for filing premises liability claims. Homeowners, commercial property owners, government agencies, and tenants can all be held liable for slip-and-fall accidents that could (and should) have been avoided. This includes accidents resulting from spills, slippery flooring materials, and a wide range of other issues.

2. Trip-and-Fall Accidents

Trip-and-fall accident claims are extremely common as well. Here, too, all types of property owners and tenants can be held accountable in appropriate cases. Some of the most common grounds for filing trip-and-fall accident claims include inadequate property maintenance, unmarked sidewalks and curbs, unmarked changes in elevation, cracks in sidewalks and parking lots, and protruding roots.

3. Falls from Heights

Falls from heights can cause serious, life-changing, and in some cases, life-threatening injuries. When these accidents result from negligent building design, negligent construction, or negligent maintenance, victims and their families can seek to hold the appropriate party (or parties) accountable. Common issues include missing handrails, loose handrails, and unmarked fall risks, among others.

4. Weather-Related Accidents

Weather-related accidents are a serious concern in Pennsylvania, especially during the winter months. While special rules apply, property owners and tenants can be held liable for accidents involving rain, ice, and snow in many cases. This includes slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents as well as accidents involving falling objects and attractive nuisances.

5. Attractive Nuisances

Swimming pools, construction equipment, dirt mounds, and even holes in the ground can all look like fun places for children to play. However, they can be dangerous for children as well. Under Pennsylvania’s “attractive nuisance” doctrine, if a property owner or tenant fails to adequately prevent children from accessing these hazards, the property owner or tenant can be held liable in the event of a serious accident.

6. Dog Bites and Other Animal Attacks

Dog bites and other animal attacks are also generally classified as premises-related accidents under Pennsylvania law. With that said, special rules apply here, too. Property owners and animal owners can both be held liable for attacks, including bites by dogs and other domesticated animals, in appropriate cases. Veterinary offices, kennels and other businesses can be held liable in appropriate cases as well.

7. Falling and Flying Objects

Falling and flying objects can cause concussions, eye injuries, rib injuries, and various other forms of trauma. From product displays in supermarkets and other stores to debris from construction sites, all types of falling and flying objects can pose risks to customers, visitors, and even pedestrians who are just passing by. Along with homeowners, commercial property owners, government agencies, and tenants, construction companies and other parties can also face liability for these accidents when warranted.

8. Elevator and Escalator Malfunctions

It is essential for elevators and escalators to function correctly at all times. Malfunctions can present a variety of serious risks, and these risks can—and do—lead to serious injuries. Whether an elevator or escalator is poorly designed, improperly installed, or inadequately maintained, if an issue leads to an accident, the victim (or the victim’s family) can—and should—seek just compensation.

9. Amusement Park and Water Park Malfunctions

Malfunctions at amusement parks and water parks can pose serious injury risks. This includes everything from roller coaster malfunctions to issues with safety equipment and other machinery. While no one expects to suffer serious injuries when visiting an amusement park or water park in Pennsylvania, the unfortunate reality is that these injuries are not uncommon.

10. Fires and Explosions

Although fires and explosions may be relatively rare, when they happen, the consequences can be devastating for victims and their families. In these cases, establishing liability starts with understanding why the incident happened. While electrical malfunctions are common causes of fires and explosions in all types of buildings, various forms of negligence can also lead to them.

11. Building Collapses

Building collapses are often tragic events that leave multiple families grieving the loss of their loved ones. But, even when building collapses aren’t fatal, they can still have life-altering consequences for victims and their family members. Here, too, various factors can cause (or contribute to causing) a building collapse, and conducting a comprehensive investigation is a key first step toward identifying the party (or parties) that deserve to be held accountable.

12. Negligent Security

Bars, restaurants, and other establishments have a legal duty to provide adequate security under Pennsylvania law. If an establishment’s failure to provide adequate security leads to an assault or another incident resulting in major injuries, the establishment can—and should—be held accountable. Negligent security can take many different forms, from failing to hire qualified security guards to failing to install appropriate locks, gates, or lighting.

As you can see from this list, premises-related risks can take numerous forms—and even these are just examples. If you have questions about your legal rights after any other type of premises-related accident, we strongly recommend speaking with an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Allentown Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you have questions about filing a premises liability claim after a serious accident in Pennsylvania, we invite you to get in touch. Our lawyers handle cases involving all types of premises-related accidents at no out-of-pocket cost to our clients. To speak with an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer about your legal rights, call 888-777-7098 or request a free consultation online today.