# Pennsylvania Slip-and-Falls > Last updated: 2026-11-11 In a slip-and-fall case, one question often matters most: how long was the hazard there before you fell? Property owners often claim they didn't know about the hazard until after the accident. At [Marzzacco Injury Law](https://www.klnivenlaw.com/about-our-firm/), our Slip-and-Fall accident lawyers in Pennsylvania check that claim against inspection records, cleaning logs, and camera footage. Where Do Slip-and-Falls Happen in Pennsylvania? ----------------------------------------------- Many falls are caused by the same types of dangerous conditions. Whether a property owner inspects the property regularly often decides whether a hazard is found and fixed before someone gets hurt. Common locations include: - Grocery and big-box stores: Poor inspection routines can leave hazards like spilled produce and tracked-in slush near entrances. - Apartments and rental properties: Poor maintenance can lead to broken steps, loose handrails, and dark stairwells. - Restaurants and bars: Customers and employees may slip on grease, melted ice, or worn floor mats near kitchens. - Parking lots and garages: Potholes, wheel stops, and ice near drains can cause pedestrians to fall. Falls often cause hip, wrist, and head injuries. Recovery can be especially hard for older adults, and a serious fall may force someone to change where or how they live. What Is Pennsylvania's Hills and Ridges Doctrine? ------------------------------------------------- Pennsylvania has a special rule for falls on snow and ice, called the hills and ridges doctrine. Under this rule, you often must show that: - The snow or ice had formed into ridges or bumps that made walking unreasonably dangerous - The property owner knew or should have known about the condition - The ridges or bumps caused your fall The timing of the snow or ice is often key evidence. Our lawyers gather weather records from the hours before your fall, since the time between the end of a storm and your accident can decide who is responsible. What Affects the Value of a Slip-and-Fall Settlement? ----------------------------------------------------- The value of a slip-and-fall claim depends on the facts of your case. Insurance adjusters and our attorneys look at many of the same factors, including: - How serious your injuries are - How long your treatment lasts and how much it costs - How much work you missed - Prior complaints or accident reports at the property - The quality of any video and photos - Whether you share any of the blame - Your physical pain and emotional suffering Many surveillance systems record over footage within weeks. Our attorneys quickly send written requests asking the property owner to save the video before it's lost. Suing a Government Property Owner --------------------------------- Falls at government buildings, state-owned universities, and highway rest areas follow special rules. Under [42 Pa.C.S. ยง 8528](https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.085.028.000..HTM), the most you can recover from the Commonwealth is $250,000 per person and $1 million per incident. Local government agencies have their own limits. In most cases, you must also give the government agency written notice of your claim within six months of the fall. Missing this deadline can end your claim. Claims involving city sidewalks can be complicated. In many cases, the owner of the property next to the sidewalk is responsible, not the city. Our attorneys figure out who is responsible before filing your claim. Report It, Photograph It, Then Call Us -------------------------------------- You generally have two years to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Pennsylvania, but important evidence can disappear much sooner. Call Marzzacco Injury Law at (717) 231-1640 or request a [free case review online](https://www.klnivenlaw.com/contact-us/). Our Slip-and-Fall accident lawyers will work quickly to secure the incident report and any video of your fall.