When You Expect Full Compensation – Rely On Top Representation
Berks County Slip and Fall Lawyers
Serving Lancaster County, Lebanon, Reading, York, Central Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Chester County, Cumberland County, Dauphin County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, and Berks County.
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Our Commitment is to You, Our Client
The team at McDonald At Law has been put together to serve you. We have the resources and experience to handle virtually any case, yet we are small enough to provide you with personalized and compassionate service.
“Highly Recommended” is the epitome of an understatement when it comes to the firm of McDonald At Law!! Michael McDonald’s genuine pleasant, and empathetic demeanor masks his legal astuteness, and the level of aggressiveness he implements in pursuit of a victim’s right and the monetary compensation legally entitled to us. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident at the hands of an intoxicated driver in York County. In my case I suffered what I described as an atypical injury, Mr. McDonald offered to be my Lawyer immediately after explaining to him the events leading to and after being struck in turn causing me to have a heart attack, when another law firm seemed hesitant. McDonald At Law secured a sizable monetary compensation that not only met my expectation but exceeded it. Mr. McDonald’s wealth of experience, and legal prowess is priceless and never did he act as the case was beneath his practice. In the end my family and I were well compensated, but also felt justified. Thank you McDonald At Law!!
- Miguel Lopez
Back in 2014 I was injured didn’t know what to do but my wife suggested I call Mike McDonald at law I’m not going to say that I really believe in luck but I will say it was the greatest blessing of my entire life that I had the opportunity to pick the best lawyer in Pennsylvania and maybe all of America in Mike McDonald. I needed surgery and Mike came to my home just to make sure that I was OK personally, and he told me not to worry about anything but to just get well he really cares about people and that is something you can’t pay for. Mike’s firm was the most professional operation I have ever had the opportunity to witness over the last 3 1/2 years . All I can say is this if you’ve been injured and you need help there’s only one person that you should call and that’s McDonald at law. From my experience is that when I arrived at his office the first time I met a lawyer and when I left his office the last time I felt like I had a friend. For superior service and expert litigation, remember there’s only one number to call if you ever get hurt it’s McDonald at law.
-Larry Kennally
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Berks County Slip and Fall Lawyers
A fall in Berks County is not automatically the property owner’s fault. The claim must connect an unsafe condition to the person or company responsible for the area and show why that party had a duty to correct the problem or warn about it.
Local Properties and Responsibility
Premises cases can involve Reading commercial buildings, Wyomissing shopping areas, apartment properties, industrial sites, restaurants, grocery stores, parking lots, and other properties in West Reading, Kutztown, Hamburg, Boyertown, and surrounding communities.
The responsible party may be an owner, tenant, property manager, maintenance provider, or snow-removal contractor. In multi-tenant or commercial properties, agreements and maintenance records can help show who controlled the floor, stairway, sidewalk, parking area, or common space involved.
Notice Is Often the Central Issue
A claimant may need to show that the responsible party created the condition, actually knew about it, or should have discovered it through reasonable care. When actual notice is unavailable, constructive notice can be supported by the condition’s duration, visibility, inspection practices, recurring problems, or prior complaints.
A temporary condition and a structural defect can produce different evidence. A spill may require surveillance and cleaning records, while a broken step or uneven walkway may be documented through repair requests, photographs over time, inspection records, or prior complaints.
Evidence to Preserve Before the Scene Changes
Photograph the hazard and surrounding approach before it is cleaned, repaired, moved, or covered. Save footwear, receipts, incident information, witness names, and any communication from the property or insurer.
Depending on the claim, preservation requests may seek surveillance, inspection sheets, maintenance requests, repair history, cleaning records, prior complaints, contractor documents, and snow-removal records.
Deadlines, Fault, and Court
Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, a Pennsylvania personal-injury negligence action generally must be filed within two years. Government-related claims may involve additional requirements.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, damages can be reduced by the injured person’s share of negligence and can be barred if that share is greater than the defendants’ combined negligence. The Berks County Prothonotary is the chief clerk and record keeper for civil filings in the Court of Common Pleas in Reading.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a temporary spill and a long-standing structural defect will require the same type of notice evidence.
- Waiting until after a repair to document a stair, sidewalk, flooring, or parking-surface defect.
- Failing to ask whether the same condition had caused complaints or maintenance requests before.
- Keeping no record of the shoes worn or the route taken through the property.
- Relying only on an incident report without preserving independent photographs, witnesses, or video.
Related Local Legal Help
These pages explain related injury claims in the same community:
- Berks County car accident lawyers
- Berks County truck accident lawyers
- Berks County workers’ compensation lawyers
Return to the Berks County main page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between actual and constructive notice?
Actual notice means the responsible party knew about the condition. Constructive notice concerns whether reasonable care should have discovered it before the fall.
Why can a structural defect case differ from a spill case?
A long-standing stair, sidewalk, or flooring defect may be documented through repair history and prior complaints, while a temporary spill may depend more heavily on surveillance, cleaning practices, and timing.
What if the property repairs the condition after my fall?
The scene may change quickly, which is why photographs, witness information, incident details, and preservation requests can be important early in the claim.
Can my own actions affect a Berks County premises claim?
Yes. Pennsylvania comparative-negligence law can reduce a recovery based on the injured person’s share of fault and may bar recovery if that fault is greater than the defendants’ combined negligence.
Where are Berks County civil filings handled?
The Berks County Prothonotary is the chief clerk and record keeper for civil filings in the Court of Common Pleas at the county courthouse in Reading.
Law checked as of September 24, 2026.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and outcomes depend on the facts of each matter.
Settlement
$5.1 Million
Total settlements for injuries sustained because of negligence and strict liability
Verdict
$2.6 Million
Verdict for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident
Verdict
$2.5 Million
Verdict for injuries sustained in an automobile accident
Settlement
$1.6 Million
Settlement for injuries sustained in a trucking accident
Verdict
$1.5 Million
Verdict for injuries sustained in a police excessive force case
Settlement
$1.4 Million
Settlement for injuries sustained die to a trucking accident
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
We recognize that accidents resulting in serious injuries can cause not only physical pain but also confusion about medical bills. It is crucial to seek the help of an experienced Lancaster County, Pennsylvania personal injury attorney to secure the compensation you deserve.
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Bicycle Accident
Bicycles typically lack many protections, so collisions with motor vehicles typically lead to serious injuries. An accident caused by a motorist’s negligence can lead to devastating injuries that may change your life forever, such as heavy medical costs, extreme pain, or even the loss of a loved one. Pursuing compensation after your accident could help alleviate your trauma.
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Burn Injury
In a moment, your quality of life can be damaged due to a truck or car accident. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries because of the negligence of another or you lost a loved one in a serious wreck, we can help you hold the negligent parties accountable and get the money you deserve.
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Bus Accident
In an instant, your life can change due to a bus accident. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries because of the negligence of another or you lost a loved one in a serious wreck, we can help you hold the negligent parties accountable and get the money you deserve.
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Catastrophic Injury
In a moment, your quality of life can be damaged due to a truck or car accident. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries because of the negligence of another or you lost a loved one in a serious wreck, we can help you hold the negligent parties accountable and get the money you deserve.
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Car Accident
If you are seeking an experienced car accident lawyer, the attorneys at McDonald At Law in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can help. Our team, led by Michael P. McDonald, will leverage its professional expertise to help ensure that you and your family are justly compensated for property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
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Construction Accident
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident, the attorneys at McDonald At Law in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can help. Our team, led by Michael P. McDonald, will ensure that you and your family are justly compensated for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
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Dog Bite
When it comes to dog bites and other animal attacks, victims — especially young children — may suffer from psychological as well as physical injuries. Those who once enjoyed interacting with dogs may suffer from serious anxiety and other psychological conditions as a result of the attack.
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Motorcycle Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to seek legal counsel from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at McDonald At Law in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Our lawyers represent only victims, not insurance companies, and we have a strong, proven track record of achieving successful outcomes for our clients.
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Negligent Security
If you or someone you love has been injured due to a Negligent Security situation, do not hesitate to seek legal counsel from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at McDonald At Law in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Our lawyers represent only victims, not insurance companies. We will fight to get you the justice and compensation that you deserve.
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Pedestrian Accident
For pedestrians and bicyclists, the roads, intersections and crosswalks in Lancaster and the surrounding Pennsylvania communities can be dangerous places. Getting into an accident can cause serious, life-altering injuries that make it difficult or impossible for you to carry on with your career or enjoy activities that once occupied your life.
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Premises Liability
Some injuries are caused by hazards on another person’s property, and the legal claims resulting from these injuries are known as premises liability lawsuits. With the help of a dedicated personal injury attorney, these claims can lead to the recovery of financial compensation.
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Product Liability
Because several parties could be involved in a product liability case, the process may be complex. At McDonald At Law, each lawyer has the experience to identify the appropriate parties that contributed to your accident. We know how to contend with corporate lawyers who defend the rights of their manufacturer clients.
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Slip and Fall
Maybe you were walking through a grocery store in Lancaster and slipped on an unmarked wet spot on the floor. Or perhaps you live in an apartment building and fell while going down the stairs because your landlord repeatedly failed to replace burned-out lights. These and other similar accidents are known as slip, trip and fall accidents. In short, if you or a loved one is injured because a property owner or business manager failed to properly address a potentially hazardous or dangerous situation that he or she knew about, then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
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Truck Accident
Cases resulting from tractor-trailer accidents can often involve multiple parties, including commercial drivers, employers and insurance companies. Furthermore, defendants in these cases are often large organizations with expert legal teams acting on their behalf. By turning to our tractor-trailer accident lawyers at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania, law firm, you will have an experienced, professional team protecting your rights.
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Worker's Compensation
Your employer must hold an insurance policy with workers’ compensation coverage. The intent is to provide workers who suffer injuries or diseases on the job with benefits — including payment for lost wages and medical expenses.
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Wrongful Death
The attorneys at McDonald At Law advocate for the rights of victims whose lives are altered or cut short by negligence such as drunk driving. For more than 30 years, attorney Michael McDonald has been providing superior service and results to the surviving families of wrongful death victims in Lancaster and throughout Pennsylvania.
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