Premises Liability: Understanding Slip-and-Fall Laws in Pennsylvania and West Virginia
When you enter someone else’s property—whether a store, apartment building, or public sidewalk—you expect to be safe. That’s exactly the duty faced by property owners under premises liability laws, and if that duty is breached and you’re hurt, you may have a claim. In both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, property owners and occupiers must keep their premises in reasonably safe condition for visitors.
What Counts as a Hazardous Condition?
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common types of premises liability claims. Hazards like wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, loose carpets, or icy walkways can all trigger liability if the property owner knew—or should have known—about the danger and failed to fix it.
What You Must Prove
To bring a successful claim, an injured person generally must show:
- They were lawfully on the property (for example, as a customer or guest).
- The property owner or occupier knew, or should have known, of the dangerous condition.
- The hazard was not repaired or properly warned against in a reasonable time.
- The condition directly caused the injury.
In West Virginia, additional rules like the “open and obvious” doctrine may come into play. This means if a hazard was clearly visible and someone proceeded despite the risk, the property owner might have less liability. Pennsylvania, by contrast, classifies visitors differently—such as invitees, licensees, and trespassers—which affects what duty of care is owed.
What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident
- Seek medical attention right away to protect your health and document your injuries.
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager.
- Take photos or videos of the area where the fall occurred.
- Save any clothing or shoes worn that day.
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before speaking with insurance representatives.
How Heavens Law Firm Can Help
At Heavens Law Firm, we represent people injured in slip-and-fall and premises liability accidents across Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We know how to investigate dangerous property conditions, build strong claims, and hold negligent owners accountable. If you’ve been injured because someone failed to keep their property safe, contact Heavens Law Firm today for a free consultation.
