Parking Lot Slip and Falls

Falling on parking lot pavement can cause serious injuries, and in a worst-case scenario, such injuries may cause permanent disability or even death. Even if the injured person is expected to recover, they may face steep medical bills and need to take time off work to recuperate. Slip and fall accidents in parking lots are common, but identifying the party responsible for failing to adequately maintain the premises can be a challenge. For this reason, it is critical to consult an experienced slip and fall lawyer for assistance. Many, if not most of, such accidents could have been prevented had the responsible party performed their due diligence when it comes to upkeep.

Causes of Parking Lot Slip and Falls

Parking lot slip and falls may result from poor maintenance by the property owner. If the pavement is not maintained properly or repaired promptly, cracks, holes and uneven areas appear. Spills in a parking lot lead to slippery areas where pedestrians may fall. Any debris left in a parking lot also causes a slip and fall hazard. Parking lots with bad lighting contribute to slip and fall accidents, as people cannot see potential problems. Of course, in winter, ice and snow may accumulate in parking lots.

The design of the parking lot may lend itself to slip and fall injuries. For example, drainage slopes may have poor design, or there is inadequate marking for pavement transitions, such as from parking lot to sidewalk or from the pavement to a handicap ramp.

Parking Lot Slip and Fall Injuries

Sometimes, a parking lot slip and fall injury consists primarily of serious bruising, but many injuries are more severe. Common parking lot slip and fall injuries include:

• Fractures
• Lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Parking Lot Slip and Fall Liability

While the property owner must maintain parking lot safety, they are not the only party that may prove liable for a slip and fall accident. The tenants of a commercial property may have to keep up the parking lot as part of their lease, and if they fail to do so, they may also be held liable. In a residential parking lot, such as that of an apartment or townhouse complex, the landlord is usually the entity responsible for parking lot maintenance.

If you slip and fall in a parking lot owned and maintained by a government agency – whether local, state or federal – the government entity may have immunity from lawsuits. These are among the most difficult types of slip and fall cases, since the ability to sue is either limited or subject to very specific conditions.

Philadelphia Injury Lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. Represent Parking Lot Slip and Fall Victims

If you or a loved one has been injured in a parking lot slip and fall accident, you need the services of the experienced Philadelphia injury lawyers at Freedman & Lorry. P.C. We will fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 888-999-1962 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. We have offices in Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Pinehurst, North Carolina to serve clients in Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas.