Property owners must maintain their premises by addressing any safety hazards in a timely fashion to protect residents, invitees, and licensees. If they fail to do so, parties who sustain injuries on the grounds can sue for damages with the help of strategic personal injury lawyers. What if you slip and fall on a public sidewalk in front of someone’s home, however? Who might be liable then?

Did Negligence Play a Role?

People stumble all of the time, and it’s often no one’s fault. To file a successful claim following a slip and fall accident, personal injury lawyers must be able to prove that negligence was ultimately responsible for the incident. There is no set standard for negligence, as it can vary from case to case. In general, though, it is the failure to take reasonable care to prevent injury or loss to another.

For example, property owners are not necessarily expected to shovel their pathways while it is still snowing, and city planners do not have to repair cracked sidewalks the day after a hurricane. If a landlord fails to sprinkle salt or sand on walkways that have been iced over for days or the city neglects to fix a sidewalk that has been uneven for months, on the other hand, anyone who slips and falls as a result might have a viable claim.

Who Could Have Prevented the Incident?

If you can determine the underlying cause of the slip and fall, you will know who could have prevented the incident. For example, if the city failed to replace a crumbling curb, you might be able to file a claim against the municipality responsible for maintaining the sidewalks. If, on the other hand, the walkway in front of someone’s home was littered with their children’s sandbox toys or sidewalk chalk, you might be able to sue the property owner.

In general, accident victims have two years to file a personal injury suit following a slip and fall in the state of Ohio; however, if you wish to sue a government entity, the statute of limitations might be much shorter. Claims against the state must be filed within two years, but suits against individual counties could have stricter notification deadlines. This is why claimants should start interviewing personal injury lawyers and building their cases as soon as their health stabilizes.

If you were hurt following a slip and fall accident, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Agee Clymer Mitchell & Portman can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Based in Chillicothe, OH, this firm is proud to support victims who have experienced damages in all kinds of scenarios, from sustaining a workplace injury to getting denied Social Security disability benefits. Visit them online or call (740) 775-5551 today to schedule a consultation.