If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you know this is about much more than a scraped knee, a sprained wrist, or a bruised ego. What should have been a routine visit to a store, a restaurant, or even a friend’s apartment complex ended with serious injuries, hospital stays, missed work, and expenses you never planned for.
You may be wondering if this was just an accident or if someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries. Either way, you're here because something feels wrong, and you're right to look for answers.
At Leeson & Leeson, our Bethlehem slip and fall lawyers understand how frustrating it can be to suffer an injury because someone else failed to maintain their property or warn you of a hazardous condition. We represent people throughout the Lehigh Valley who’ve been injured in slip and fall accidents, and we know how these cases work — locally, medically, and legally.
Call us at (610)691-3320 or contact us online for a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover and move forward after a slip and fall accident.
Key Takeaways
- Property owners in Pennsylvania must keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. Failing to fix or warn about known hazards may result in legal liability.
- Common slip and fall causes include wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, and icy sidewalks — all of which are preventable.
- Slip and fall injuries can include concussions, fractures, and spine or joint injuries that require long-term treatment and time off work.
- Compensation may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing care needs.
- Insurance companies often try to minimize claims or blame the injured person. Hiring a lawyer early helps protect your rights.
- Leeson & Leeson helps injured clients across Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley pursue full and fair compensation after a fall injury.
Why Bethlehem Clients Trust Leeson & Leeson
Leeson & Leeson has represented injured people in Bethlehem for over half a century. Our success isn’t built on gimmicks or empty promises but on hard work, relentless advocacy, and a long record of obtaining results for our clients. Here’s what you can expect when you work with us.
You work directly with your attorney
We don’t pass your case down the line. From day one, you’ll work with your attorney and our dedicated support staff, who will give you clear, practical answers to your questions throughout the process.
We know the Lehigh Valley inside and out
With more than 50 years of service in Bethlehem and surrounding communities, we understand the regional court system, local businesses, and property standards. That insight gives your case an edge when it counts.
We take a full-picture approach to your recovery
We don’t just look at hospital bills. We evaluate how your injuries affect your work, daily life, and long-term health. We make sure your claim reflects the full scope of your injuries and losses.
We have the financial and legal knowledge to fight smart
Attorney Joseph Leeson III is both a seasoned litigator and a licensed CPA with an MBA. That combination helps us assess damages accurately, especially in cases involving lost income, business losses, or permanent disability.
We prepare every case like it’s going to trial
Most claims settle. But the best settlements come when the other side knows you’re ready to take the case to court. We don’t bluff. We prepare, and it shows in our results.
We only get paid if you do
You won’t pay us anything for our services unless we win your case. No upfront fees or out-of-pocket expenses. We only get paid as a percent of the recovery we secure for you.
Property Owners Have a Duty to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents
People get injured when businesses and property owners don’t take care of their spaces. It’s not always about a big, dramatic accident. Often it’s something small: a floor that wasn’t dried, stairs that weren’t lit, or snow that no one cleared from a walkway. These conditions can easily lead to broken bones, head injuries, or worse, especially for older adults.
The law in Pennsylvania requires property owners to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. If they fail to fix or warn you about a hazard, you may hold them legally and financially responsible for your injuries. That includes slip and fall accidents in grocery stores, office buildings, apartment complexes, parking lots, stairs, and sidewalks in front of businesses, and anywhere you become injured because of someone else’s neglect.
Where and How Slip and Fall Accidents Happen
Bethlehem has its share of beautiful old buildings, weather-worn sidewalks, and steep steps. But historic charm doesn’t excuse neglect. Many of the slip and fall (or trip and fall) cases we handle could have been avoided with simple maintenance or a timely warning.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 people are hospitalized each year in the U.S. due to fall injuries, most often because of head trauma or hip fractures. These aren’t rare events. Many of them happen in everyday places: grocery stores, apartment complexes, sidewalks, or stairwells.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Spilled liquids or recently mopped floors with no signage
- Ice or snow left on sidewalks and building entrances
- Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking garages
- Broken tiles, loose handrails, or uneven flooring
- Torn carpeting or unmarked changes in elevation
- Cords, boxes, or clutter in walkways
It’s often just a matter of time before someone gets injured when hazards like these go unaddressed. If a business or property owner allowed dangerous conditions to persist, they may be legally responsible for your injury.
Serious Injuries That Disrupt Daily Life
Falls can be deceptively dangerous. In fact, the CDC reports that one in five falls causes a serious injury, such as a broken bone or a traumatic brain injury. For older adults, falls are also the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. That statistic alone should underscore how important it is to treat these injuries seriously, both medically and legally. Our Bethlehem slip and fall attorneys help clients with injuries such as:
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractured hips, ankles, or wrists
- Spine or back injuries, including herniated discs
- Shoulder or knee injuries requiring surgery
- Long-term mobility issues or balance problems
Some injuries heal with time. Others don’t. Many of the people we represent face surgeries, months of physical therapy, or long-term adjustments to their daily lives. We build your claim around the full scope of that impact, not just your immediate medical bills.
How We Calculate the Real Cost of a Slip and Fall Injury
We start by asking how your life has changed. That means looking at your medical records and your ability to work, care for yourself, and manage daily responsibilities. If your recovery has been slow, painful, or uncertain, the value of your claim should reflect that.
Depending on your case, compensation may cover:
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or reduced mobility
- Costs for in-home care or transportation during recovery
We evaluate every case with care and meticulous attention to detail. That includes reviewing your medical records, consulting with your doctors when needed, and working with financial professionals when necessary to project long-term losses.
If you file a claim, it should reflect the full extent of the losses and suffering your accident caused.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
After a slip and fall, you may hear from an insurance adjuster asking for a statement or offering a quick settlement. That offer is rarely close to what your claim is worth, especially if you’re still being treated for your injuries.
It’s common for insurers to:
- Downplay the seriousness of your injuries
- Claim that you were distracted or not watching where you were going
- Suggest that the property owner didn’t have enough time to fix the hazard
- Push for a settlement before you’ve fully recovered
When you work with Leeson & Leeson, our Bethlehem personal injury lawyers take over all communication with insurance companies, property owners, and their attorneys. We present a clear, evidence-backed case and push for the maximum amount allowed under the law.
You’ve got enough to deal with. Let us handle the legal pressure while you focus on healing.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you’re reading this after already seeking medical care, you’ve taken the most important first step. But there are a few other steps that can help protect your claim moving forward.
- Hire a slip and fall lawyer. With legal representation, it’s much more likely that critical evidence will be preserved before it’s lost, erased, or destroyed.
- Keep up with medical treatment. Insurance companies can use missed appointments or gaps in care to challenge your injuries and your claim.
- Document your experience. Write or record daily notes about your pain levels, limitations, and how the injury affects your life. This serves as important evidence for your less visible damages, such as pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
- Preserve physical evidence. Save the clothes and shoes you wore during the fall. Take photos of visible injuries if you haven’t already.
- Avoid giving statements. You are not required to speak to the other side’s insurance company. Let your attorney handle those communications.
Small steps taken early can make a big difference in how both your recovery and your case move forward. These efforts not only support your health but also make sure your experience is fully seen and understood when it matters most.
How Pennsylvania Law Handles Slip and Fall Claims
Premises liability law in Pennsylvania focuses on whether the person or company responsible for the property took reasonable steps to prevent injuries. That could mean repairing a loose stair rail, mopping up a spill, or salting an icy walkway.
But not all visitors are treated the same under the law. You likely had legal protection if you were on the property as a customer, guest, or tenant. Trespassers and uninvited guests are treated differently, and those cases can be harder to pursue. The rules also change if your fall occurred on public property, which may involve special notice deadlines.
These small details carry a giant significance. That’s why we assess each case carefully, looking at who owned or controlled the property, what the hazard was, how long it had been there, and what actions, if any, were taken to correct it.
Most cases settle, while others go to court. We prepare every case like it could go the distance, because that puts pressure on insurance companies to take your injury seriously.
Local Knowledge Makes a Difference
Slip and fall claims aren’t handled the same way in every city, and Bethlehem, PA has its own challenges. Icy winters, older buildings, and worn sidewalks all contribute to the kinds of hazards that property owners should anticipate.
Having a law firm that knows the area and the courts, judges, and insurers who operate here gives your case an edge. At Leeson & Leeson, we’ve served the Lehigh Valley for over five decades. We’ve brought successful claims against regional businesses, landlords, and property managers who failed to meet basic safety standards.
That familiarity helps us spot patterns. We know which types of cases tend to settle quickly, which ones often go to trial, and how to approach your case in a way that reflects what actually works in Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton.
What Sets Leeson & Leeson Apart
For more than fifty years, people in Bethlehem have turned to Leeson & Leeson when they’ve needed steady, skilled legal help. Clients know that when they call, they can reach the attorney handling their case and get a clear, direct answer.
Attorney Joseph Leeson III adds another layer of strength to that tradition. With a law degree, CPA license, and MBA, he brings both courtroom skill and financial insight to injury cases. That combination allows us to measure not only the immediate costs of an accident but also the long-term financial effects it may have on a client’s future.
We prepare every case with care and persistence. Whether we resolve a claim through negotiation or take it to court, we bring the same level of detail and commitment that has defined our work in the Lehigh Valley for decades.
FAQs About Slip and Fall Claims in Bethlehem
Still have questions about your case? These frequently asked questions may help clarify your rights and next steps.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations generally provides two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim (42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524). However, claims against government agencies, such as a fall on public property, may have much shorter notice deadlines. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
What if I’m partially at fault for the fall?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7102. You can still recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault for the accident, but your compensation may be reduced based on your share of responsibility.
What does it cost to hire a slip and fall lawyer?
At Leeson & Leeson, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means there’s no upfront cost, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Do I have a case if no one saw me fall?
Yes. Witnesses can be helpful, but they’re not required. Whether it was a slip and fall or a trip and fall, surveillance footage, maintenance records, photographs, and your own account can all support a strong claim. Your medical records also serve as important evidence.
Is it worth pursuing a claim for a minor injury?
Some injuries feel minor at first and get worse with time. If you had to seek medical care, missed work, or experienced lingering pain, it may be worth discussing your options with a lawyer, especially before accepting any settlement.
Talk to a Bethlehem Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
When you’re injured on someone else’s property, taking legal action may feel like one more giant burden, especially when you’re trying to focus on healing. But you don’t have to figure out what’s fair or fight with insurers on your own.
At Leeson & Leeson, we’ll handle the legal work from start to finish. As your trusted Bethlehem personal injury lawyer, we won’t pressure you to settle for less than your case is worth. You’ll get honest answers, dedicated representation, and a local team with a 50-year track record in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.
We’ve helped hundreds of injured clients recover what they need to move forward. We’re ready to help you, too.
Call (610)691-3320 or contact us online for a free consultation.