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Philadelphia 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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Philadelphia County Slip and Fall Lawyers
Philadelphia premises claims can involve everything from a wet grocery-store floor to a damaged rowhouse walkway, high-rise lobby, restaurant stairway, parking facility, or public sidewalk. The legal question is not simply whether the surface was dangerous, but who controlled it and what that party knew or should have known before the fall.
Local Properties and Responsibility
Falls can occur at rowhouse rentals, high-rise buildings, grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, SEPTA-adjacent properties, office buildings, apartment communities, and public or private sidewalks across Center City, South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, and the river wards.
Control can be complicated in a dense city property. A building owner, commercial tenant, property manager, maintenance company, snow contractor, or another party may be responsible for a particular entrance, stairway, lobby, sidewalk, loading area, or parking facility. Identifying that division of responsibility is an early part of the investigation.
Notice Is Often the Central Issue
A business or property possessor is not automatically responsible because a hazard existed. Evidence may need to show that the party created the condition, knew about it, or should have discovered it through reasonable care.
In a location with steady foot traffic, surveillance video and inspection practices can be especially important to timing. For a recurring leak, damaged step, drainage problem, or repeatedly icy location, maintenance history and prior complaints may help show the responsible party had reason to anticipate the danger.
Evidence to Preserve Before the Scene Changes
Photograph the exact condition and wider surroundings, including lighting, stairs, handrails, signs, sidewalk elevations, curbs, crosswalk-adjacent areas, loading zones, entrances, mats, drainage, or nearby displays. Dense urban properties often have multiple possible camera sources, so nearby businesses and buildings may also need to be identified quickly.
Useful records can include incident reports, witness contacts, receipts, surveillance footage, building-maintenance requests, inspection logs, cleaning records, prior complaints, lease provisions, contractor records, snow-removal documents, and weather information.
Deadlines, Fault, and Court
Pennsylvania generally requires a personal-injury negligence action to be filed within two years under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Public-property or government-related claims can involve additional notice, immunity, and procedural issues.
Comparative negligence under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102 may reduce damages and can bar recovery if the injured person’s negligence is greater than the defendants’ combined negligence. When venue is proper in Philadelphia, civil matters may proceed in the Civil Section of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Photographing only the hazard and not the surrounding city property needed to identify who controlled it.
- Waiting to identify nearby building, business, or roadway cameras that may overwrite footage.
- Assuming a sidewalk or entrance condition is automatically the responsibility of the nearest business.
- Failing to preserve building-maintenance, lease, contractor, or prior-complaint evidence when control is disputed.
- Giving a broad statement about what you saw before photographs and the exact scene have been reviewed.
Related Local Legal Help
These pages explain related injury claims in the same community:
- Philadelphia County car accident lawyers
- Philadelphia County truck accident lawyers
- Philadelphia County workers’ compensation lawyers
Return to the Philadelphia County main page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be responsible for a Philadelphia sidewalk or entrance fall?
Responsibility depends on the property, the precise location, control of the area, and applicable law. An owner, tenant, manager, contractor, or public entity may have different responsibilities.
Why is identifying the exact fall location so important in Philadelphia?
A few feet can change which property or entity controlled the area. Precise photographs and addresses help identify the correct owner, tenant, manager, or public body.
Can nearby businesses have useful surveillance even if the fall happened outside?
Yes. Cameras on neighboring buildings, stores, parking facilities, or vehicles may capture the condition or incident. Relevant footage should be identified and preserved quickly.
What evidence can show a dangerous condition was recurring?
Prior complaints, maintenance requests, repair history, employee reports, photos, surveillance, and repeated problems such as leaks or ice formation may help show recurrence.
How long do I have to file a Philadelphia premises-liability lawsuit?
Pennsylvania generally provides two years for a personal-injury negligence action under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, although public-property and other special claims can involve additional requirements.
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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