If you slipped and got hurt in Pittsburgh, you may be in pain and unsure what to do next. At Hadeed Law, attorney Samir Hadeed understands how fast a fall can upend your week, your work, and your peace of mind. Property owners should keep their places safe. When they do not, you should not carry the cost alone.
This guide outlines seven steps to protect your health and your legal options under Pennsylvania law. It also answers common questions about fault, deadlines, and fall hazards in Western Pennsylvania so you can make informed decisions.
1. Get Medical Care, Then Save Every Record.
See a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries do not show up right away. Keep discharge papers, imaging, bills, and notes from follow-up visits. These records connect the hazard to your injuries and help show the full impact on your life.
Tip: follow your treatment plan and keep a simple folder with every document and receipt. It will help your case and your recovery.
2. Report the Fall to the Owner or Manager.
Ask for a manager and complete an incident report. Confirm the date, time, exact location, and what caused your fall. Was your slip and fall injury the result of a wet floor from a spilled drink, tracked-in rainwater at the entrance, wet leaves or debris on the walkway, a torn carpet, a broken step, or poor lighting? Ask for a copy before you leave.
If the business will not provide one, note the name and title of the person you spoke with and take a clear photo of the report you completed. If no report is offered, write a brief, dated summary of what happened and email it to management with your photos. If you fell at an apartment building, notify the landlord or property manager in writing.
3. Preserve Evidence at the Scene
Evidence can disappear quickly. Take clear photos of the hazard and the area from several angles. Include lighting conditions, warning signs, mats, and any security cameras you can see. Keep the shoes and clothing you wore. Do not clean or repair them.
If you think a camera recorded the fall, note the camera location and the exact time so your lawyer can request that the video be preserved. You can also ask the business to keep any surveillance and cleaning or inspection logs that may show when the area was last checked. If you believe video footage exists, note the exact time to the minute.
4. Identify Witnesses and Get Contact Details
Witnesses can help show how long a hazard existed and whether staff had time to fix it. Ask for names and phone numbers. If an employee makes a comment like “we were about to clean that,” write it down word for word.
5. Be Careful What You Sign or Say
Insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement or broad medical releases. Do not sign or record anything before you speak with a Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer. Keep quiet on social media. Simple posts can be taken out of context.
6. Know the Deadlines That Protect Your Claim
Most Pennsylvania injury lawsuits must be filed within two years from the date of injury. Missing this deadline can end a claim.
If the fall involved a government unit, such as a city building, a public transit facility, or a city-maintained sidewalk, written notice is usually required within six months. The notice typically includes your name and address, the date and time, the location, and, if known, the name and address of any attending physician. Missing the deadline can bar a claim, although courts may excuse non-compliance for reasonable cause, and some claims survive if the government had actual or constructive notice.
7. Understand How Fault Is Handled in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania uses modified comparative negligence. If you are partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your share. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you usually cannot recover. Careful documentation helps ensure fault is assigned fairly.
How Liability Works in Real Life
In Pennsylvania slip and fall cases, you must show the owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and did not fix it or warn about it. Proof often turns on notice: whether the owner created the hazard, knew about it, or it lasted long enough that they should have found it with reasonable inspections. For customers and other invitees, Pennsylvania follows the Restatement rule on a duty to inspect for hazards and take reasonable steps to protect visitors. If a danger is truly open and obvious, that can limit a claim. This is why photos, witness accounts, and timing details matter.
Fall Hazards in Western Pennsylvania
- Wet leaves reduce traction and can conceal cracks or uneven surfaces on sidewalks, stairs, and walkways. Property owners should clear leaves from building entrances and pedestrian paths.
- Rain tracked in at store entrances should be controlled with entrance mats, timely mopping, and clear warning signs to keep floors as dry as feasible.
- As daylight hours shorten in fall, Pittsburgh sees later sunrises and earlier sunsets until around the winter solstice, so reliable lighting in parking lots and stairwells is essential for visibility and safety.
- Sidewalk obstructions and overgrowth can force pedestrians into unsafe routes. Pittsburgh accepts “311” complaints filed by phone and online for blocked or overgrown sidewalks and enforces the right-of-way rules to keep sidewalks clear and passable.
- Seasonal decorations and extension cords should not cross walkways where visitors could trip; secure any temporary cords and keep paths open and free of hazards.
On the North Side, the City has installed a raised crosswalk on Federal Street at Parkhurst Street and continues to manage heavy North Shore crowds around PNC Park on game days, which underscores the need to keep walkways clear and well lit.
Common Questions Attorneys Hear in Pittsburgh
1. How long do I have to file a Pennsylvania slip and fall claim?
Two years for most premises liability cases, and six months’ written notice if a government unit is involved. Act sooner so evidence is not lost.
2. What if I was looking at my phone or not paying attention?
You can still bring a claim, but any recovery may be reduced if you share fault. If your share is more than 50 percent, you usually cannot recover.
3. Do I need a Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer?
You are not required to have one. Many people choose counsel to preserve video, request inspection logs, and deal with insurers while they focus on healing. If you want a quick overview of your options, Mr. Hadeed can walk you through the legal process in plain language.
Next Steps After a Slip and Fall in Pittsburgh
Hadeed Law serves clients across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Beaver, Butler, Mercer, and Indiana Counties. Whether your fall happened Downtown, on Washington Road in Mount Lebanon, in the Strip District, or at a neighborhood business, Mr. Hadeed is here to listen, investigate, and move quickly to preserve video, maintenance logs, and other critical evidence.
If you are ready to talk, contact Hadeed Law today by calling the office or using this form to schedule a free consultation with a Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer.
Disclaimer: The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact a law firm directly.