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When Are Property Owners Responsible for Injuries? 7 Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

April 23, 2025
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Slip and fall accidents are among the leading causes of preventable injuries. While these accidents can result from a variety of different factors, many result from property hazards that could—and should—have been remedied or avoided. In these cases, property owners can often be held responsible, and holding them responsible starts with hiring an experienced Bethlehem slip and fall lawyer who can take appropriate legal action on your behalf.

When Property Owners Can Be Held Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents in Pennsylvania

With this in mind, when can—and should—you talk to a Bethlehem slip and fall lawyer after an accident? Here are seven common causes of slip and fall accidents for which property owners can often be held responsible:

1. Spills

Spills are frequently to blame for slip and fall accidents in grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other retail facilities. Spills can be to blame for slip and fall accidents in apartment buildings, condos, single-family home,s and other locations as well. If you slipped on a spill and the property owner had time to clean up the spill (or at least warn you about the spill) but failed to do so before you slipped and fell, you may have a claim against the property owner under Pennsylvania law.

2. Dangerous Stairs

Dangerous stairs are a frequent cause of slip and fall accidents as well. Stairs can be dangerous for a variety of reasons, including (but not limited to):

  • Failure to install non-skid material
  • Failure to replace worn non-skid material
  • Slipperiness caused by spills, rainwater or other liquids
  • Inadequate maintenance
  • Failure to make necessary repairs

All of these issues can potentially justify a premises liability claim against the property owner in the event of a slip and fall accident. As with all of the issues discussed in this article, one of the keys to seeking just compensation is being able to prove why you fell—and this is one of the reasons why it is important to speak with a Bethlehem slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible.

3. Slippery Sidewalks and Parking Lots

Property owners can also be held responsible for slip and fall accidents occurring on slippery sidewalks and parking lots in many cases. Depending on the circumstances, this can include cases involving slips on snow and ice. Similar to accidents involving dangerous stairs, issues such as inadequate maintenance and failure to make necessary repairs can warrant claims against property owners for slip and fall accidents on slippery sidewalks and parking lots as well.

4. Recently Cleaned Floors

While cleaning up spills can be a necessary step for preventing slip and fall accidents, recently cleaned floors can also cause slip and fall accidents in some cases. If a recently cleaned floor is slippery while it is drying, then it still presents a hazard during this time. This means that, generally speaking, the property owner still has a duty to take proactive measures to prevent slip and fall accidents.

Property owners can generally meet this duty by placing warning signs or placing cones around the drying floor. However, even if a property owner places a warning sign or places cones, if the hazard isn’t obvious and protected from all angles, individuals who slip and fall could still have a claim for just compensation.

5. Worn Flooring Surfaces

Many types of flooring surfaces can become slippery as they wear over time. These include asphalt, carpet, cement, tiles and hardwood, among others.

In many cases, the fact that a flooring surface has become slippery will not be immediately apparent to customers, visitors or guests. If a property owner should have replaced a worn flooring surface (or at least provided an adequate warning), its failure to do so could justify a claim for financial compensation under Pennsylvania law. 

6. Missing or Unsafe Handrails

While slip and fall accidents can result from issues with flooring surfaces, they can result from other issues as well. For example, if a property has missing or unsafe handrails (i.e., if a handrail is loose or broken), this could also justify a claim for financial compensation in the event of a serious slip and fall. While building code violations can provide clear grounds to seek just compensation, proof of a building code violation is not required to file a premises liability claim in Pennsylvania.

7. Inadequate Lighting

Inadequate lighting is another all-too-common issue that can lead to unnecessary slip and fall accidents. If a business or other property owner fails to adequately light its premises—and if this failure obscures a slip hazard—this can also give rise to a premises liability claim in some cases. If you slipped and fell because you couldn’t see what was in front of you, it will be worth talking to a Bethlehem slip and fall lawyer about your legal rights.

Proving the Cause of Your Slip and Fall Accident

As we said above, one of the keys to seeking just compensation after a slip and fall accident in Pennsylvania is being able to prove why you fell. With this in mind, it is important for victims (or their loved ones) to try to promptly take steps, including:

  • Take photos of the location of the accident (if possible)
  • Take photos of physical injuries and damaged or soiled clothes
  • Seek medical treatment right away
  • Write down as many details about the slip and fall accident as possible
  • Hire a Bethlehem slip and fall lawyer to conduct an investigation

Contact Us to Speak with a Bethlehem Slip and Fall Lawyer About Your Legal Rights for Free

Do you need to know more about holding a property owner responsible for a slip and fall accident in Pennsylvania? If so, we encourage you to contact us right away. To speak with an experienced Bethlehem slip and fall lawyer about your legal rights as soon as possible, call us at 888-777-7098 or request a free consultation online now.

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