Falls from a Height
It’s common for someone to suffer severe spinal cord injuries when falling from a sizeable distance, but these types of injuries can also occur when the height is only a few feet. No matter how far the fall, a victim typically has an uphill battle to return to health. He or she will experience significant pain and suffering, and may be unable to work. Lost wages and medical bills have a financial impact on the victim and family, and the emotional strain can be overwhelming.
The lawyers at Cohen, Placitella, & Roth, P.C. fight for the rights of Philadelphia victims when a fall from a height results in spinal cord injuries. If the incident occurs due to the negligence of the owner of a building, premises liability may give the right to compensation. The law applies differently when the accident occurs in the workplace, but a victim may be able to recover under certain circumstances.
Liability for Falls from a Height
In Pennsylvania, an entity that owns or is in possession of property can be held liable if someone is injured while on the premises, such as falling from a height. The individual or business has a duty to keep the property in a safe condition for the people who enter upon it. If the owner is negligent in fulfilling this duty, a victim of a fall from a height may be able to recover compensation for any resulting injuries.
Common Fall from Height Scenarios
There are a number of conditions that may be present in a building or on real property that can cause someone to fall from a height, including:
- Crumbling or poorly maintained stairways;
- Debris or hazardous obstructions;
- Unsafe or malfunctioning elevators;
- Negligent maintenance that allows snow, ice, or liquid to accumulate;
- Defective escalators; and
- Malfunctioning equipment for the disabled.
Suing Your Employer in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, you cannot sue your employer for negligence that causes spinal cord injury due to a fall from a height; rather, you pursue a workers’ compensation claim to recover compensation. However, there are exceptions where your employer fails to maintain proper insurance or the failure to maintain the premises in a safe condition was intentional. You may still have grounds to sue your employer, so discuss your situation with an attorney.
Consult with a Knowledgeable Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Falls from a height can be serious, and spinal cord injuries are common no matter how far a person drops to the surface below. Building owners may be legally liable for negligence if the conditions on the premises are a factor in these types of accidents, and even employers can be responsible under certain circumstances. It is possible to recover compensation in a matter involving a spinal cord injury, and your chances for success are improved when you retain an attorney that has extensive experience with these cases. For more information on spinal cord injuries as the result of a fall from a height, please contact Cohen, Placitella, & Roth, P.C. Attorneys at Law. Our attorneys can answer your questions or schedule a free consultation about your case.
