Boston Slip & Fall Lawyers
Serving Clients Throughout New England
When you enter a restaurant, hotel, business, or someone's home, you expect safe conditions—not slick floors, uneven surfaces, or other hazards that could cause you to lose your balance and fall. An estimated 25,000 adults die each year from slip and fall accidents, most often due to traumatic brain injuries.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a slip and fall accident on another's property, and you believe the property owner acted recklessly, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If you've been hurt in a fall, the Boston slip and fall lawyers of Crowe & Harris, LLP have the experience you need on your side. We believe you should not have to bear the burden of medical expenses or other damages following a slip and fall accident on unsafe premises.
We can guide you through your options for seeking restitution from those responsible for your accident, as well as consult our full-time nurses. Contact us online or call (617) 404-3417 for a free consultation.
What Is the Responsibility of a Property Owner?
Property owners in Massachusetts must maintain reasonably safe premises for all customers and invited guests. When owners neglect maintenance or fail to address hazards, injured parties may pursue financial compensation. Slip and fall accidents are a common result of such negligence.
Property owners across the state are responsible for providing safe conditions for all visitors. Unfortunately, many owners neglect these duties, and people suffer injuries as a result. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2.5 million adults visit the emergency room each year with serious injuries—such as hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones—stemming from slips and falls. Falls remain the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the nation, putting innocent people at risk of severe, long-lasting harm.
Common Slip & Fall Causes & Injuries in Boston
These accidents can occur anywhere at any time, but certain locations and situations pose increased risk. Hotels, grocery stores, and workplaces commonly experience slip and fall incidents when property owners fail to fix hazards or provide warnings. The consequences can be severe.
Slip and fall accidents on unsafe premises often result from the following conditions:
- Uneven pavement
- Open manholes
- Wet walking surfaces
- Overcrowding
- Stage/staircase collapse
- Failure to post signs
Any of these hazards could lead to a serious slip and fall injury. In most cases, property owners can prevent accidents by maintaining their property and ensuring visitor safety. When hazards cannot be immediately fixed, owners should provide adequate warnings for visitors.
Slip and falls can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor wounds to broken bones and permanent disability. When you suffer injuries in these cases, you may seek legal action against the property owner or the individual responsible for maintenance.
Some of the most common injuries from slip and fall accidents include:
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Lower back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
Boston's dense neighborhoods and older infrastructure increase the likelihood of unique hazards. Cracked sidewalks in Back Bay, icy steps near Beacon Hill during winter, and construction sites in the Seaport District present frequent dangers for both residents and visitors. City regulations require businesses and property owners to address these risks promptly, but many accidents happen when warnings or repairs are delayed.
After an injury, you may need extensive medical care, rehabilitation, or ongoing pain management. Some victims find their daily routines disrupted for weeks or months. Severe injuries can lead to long-term complications, affecting your ability to work or care for your family. Consulting with a legal team early can help document your situation and safeguard your ability to recover damages later.
How to Establish Liability
While Massachusetts law protects those injured in slip and fall accidents, determining liability can be complex. A skilled slip and fall attorney can help victims hold responsible parties accountable.
Often, careless actions by a property owner create dangerous conditions that lead to slip and fall injuries, making them liable for compensating the victim.
To prove that the property owner is liable for the accident, you must demonstrate at least one of the following conditions existed:
- The owner knew about the hazardous conditions that caused the accident and failed to correct them
- The owner or an employee created the conditions leading to the accident and did not warn others
- The owner or an employee should have known about the dangers, as any reasonably careful person would
Given the severe consequences of these injuries, many victims need support from personal injury attorneys to pursue fair compensation.
Establishing liability typically involves gathering strong evidence. Attorneys review incident reports, photographs, medical records, and any available video footage to uncover what happened. In Boston, witness statements can be crucial, particularly in crowded settings like shopping centers or subway stations. Property maintenance logs and city inspection records may also clarify if an owner ignored problems or failed to address violations. When appropriate, attorneys may consult building code requirements or local safety standards to demonstrate that an owner did not meet legal obligations. By building a detailed record, you increase the chances of holding negligent parties accountable for your injuries.
Common Defenses Property Owners Raise in Slip & Fall Cases
Property owners and their insurers frequently use several legal defenses to avoid liability in slip and fall cases. One common defense is claiming that they posted clear warnings or barriers around the hazardous area, asserting the injured person should have paid attention. Owners also may argue that the dangerous condition was open and obvious, meaning a reasonable person would have seen and avoided it. Additionally, they sometimes suggest that the injured person contributed significantly to the accident by acting carelessly—for example, by running or ignoring warning signs.
Massachusetts law permits property owners to present these arguments in court, often leading to disputed claims. In Boston, dense foot traffic and changing city conditions—like snow on sidewalks—can complicate these scenarios. Evidence such as maintenance logs, witness statements, and property surveillance footage often play key roles in resolving disputes about fault. Knowing what defenses you might face can help you and your legal team prepare responses and collect stronger evidence for your side of the story. By anticipating common arguments, you position yourself to counter insurance company tactics and pursue the recovery you need.
What to Expect During the Investigation & Evidence Gathering
The investigation phase of a slip and fall case typically starts soon after you contact a lawyer. Your legal team seeks out all available evidence, including photographs of the accident scene, medical assessments, and any written reports from the property owner or police. In Boston, investigators may also review city inspection records and local maintenance codes to check for prior violations or complaints involving the same location or hazard. Witness statements are valuable, especially in public areas like shopping centers or MBTA stations, as these can help clarify who saw the fall and what conditions existed.
Gathering timely and thorough evidence is crucial, as Boston’s fast-changing urban setting can lead to rapid cleanup or repair of hazardous areas. Your lawyer may request copies of weather records, security footage, and repair logs to build a timeline and document conditions surrounding the accident. Comprehensive evidence supports a stronger case by confirming negligence or showing a history of similar incidents. As the investigation unfolds, your legal team can help ensure no crucial detail is overlooked, giving you the best possible footing as your claim progresses through the legal process.
Local Support from a Slip & Fall Lawyer in Boston
Living in Boston, we understand our community's unique challenges, especially when navigating the city's bustling streets and historic buildings. Boston's charm brings older infrastructure, which often means uneven sidewalks, icy walkways during winter, and poorly maintained properties that create real risks. The Boston Public Works and Inspectional Services departments work hard to promote public safety, but hazards can still arise.
For city residents and visitors, a slip and fall accident can disrupt daily life. Whether you are strolling through the North End, shopping on Newbury Street, or visiting a friend in Back Bay, you may encounter unsafe conditions. Managing the aftermath of these incidents—such as mounting medical bills and lost wages—can be overwhelming.
At Crowe & Harris, LLP, we understand the challenges Bostonians face due to the city's older infrastructure and harsh winters. Our team helps clients hold negligent property owners accountable and works to recover the compensation they need.
Every slip and fall accident is different. Some cases may involve falls on icy public sidewalks after a snowstorm, while others happen in busy commercial spaces like Quincy Market. With Boston's rapidly changing weather, slip and fall risks may increase quickly, which can complicate efforts to gather evidence and document conditions. Our local knowledge allows us to act promptly in investigating your situation, understanding the nuances of Boston’s neighborhoods, and navigating any city-specific regulations that apply. Whether your fall happened in a high-traffic district or a residential area, personalized support can make a decisive difference in reaching a fair outcome.
If you've been injured in a slip and fall in Boston, contact us for personalized support and legal guidance tailored to the needs of our community. Together, we strive for a safer Boston for everyone.
Call a Trusted Slip & Fall Attorney in Boston
At Crowe & Harris, LLP, we know how distressing a slip and fall accident can be for you or your loved one. In addition to medical treatment and rehabilitation, you may face the challenge of lost wages or limited ability to work. When an unsafe property causes injury, the property owner can be held responsible. You should not face ongoing financial hardship due to someone else's negligence.
Prompt action following your accident can preserve your rights. Early collection of evidence, such as photos of the scene and names of witnesses, often helps strengthen your claim. Massachusetts imposes a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, so timeliness matters if you wish to preserve your right to recover damages. If you are unsure about your next steps, consider seeking advice soon after your injury to avoid common pitfalls and ensure all deadlines are met.
Contact us online or call (617) 404-3417 for a free consultation to learn how our Boston slip and fall lawyers can help you obtain the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
