Ohio Slip, Trip and Fall Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Slip, Trip and Fall Injury throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Slip and Fall Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Slip and Fall Attorneys: Premises Liability for Dangerous Conditions
A slip and fall or trip and fall accident can happen in seconds, but the severe injuries—from broken bones and concussions to chronic back pain—can have lasting effects. Under Ohio law, property owners (including businesses, landlords, and homeowners) have a legal duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for guests and customers.
When an owner’s negligence leads to a hazardous condition—such as untreated ice and snow or wet floors without a warning—they can be held liable under Premises Liability law. Our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team specializes in maximizing compensation for victims injured due to preventable hazards across Ohio.
The Property Owner's Duty of Care in Ohio Slip and Fall Cases
To succeed in an Ohio slip and fall claim, we must prove the property owner breached their duty of care. This duty varies based on your status as a visitor (invitee, licensee, or trespasser), with invitees (customers, tenants, business guests) owed the highest protection. The owner must prove they either:
- Created the hazardous condition.
- Knew about the hazard and failed to correct it or provide a warning.
- Should have known about the hazard through reasonable inspection and failed to act (Constructive Notice).
We handle complex injury claims resulting from all common slip and fall and trip and fall hazards:
- Wet Floors: Falls on wet floors without warning signs (e.g., recent mopping, spills, leaks, tracked-in moisture).
- Ice and Snow: Injuries from untreated ice and snow on sidewalks, parking lots, or entryways.
- Uneven Surfaces: Falls due to uneven flooring (buckling carpet, warped floorboards) or cracked or broken sidewalks/pavement and potholes.
- Stair and Railing Failures: Accidents on poorly maintained stairs (broken steps, loose treads) or due to missing or broken handrails.
- Obstructions: Trips over debris or obstacles, loose rugs or mats, or objects protruding from walls/floors.
- Retail Hazards: Injuries caused by fallen merchandise or obstructions in aisles.
- Spills: Slips on spilled food or drinks, or grease or oil spills in commercial areas.
- Poor Drainage: Hazards created by poor drainage leading to standing water on walking surfaces.
- Hidden Dangers: Falls over hidden steps or changes in elevation without warning or proper lighting.
Countering the "Open and Obvious" Defense in Ohio Law
In Ohio, property owners often attempt to use the Open and Obvious Doctrine to avoid liability, arguing that the hazard (e.g., a pothole or spilled liquid) was so plain that a reasonable person should have seen and avoided it. While this can defeat the owner's duty to warn, it does not always relieve them of the duty to maintain the property.
Our attorneys aggressively counter this defense by proving:
- Attendant Circumstances: External factors (poor lighting, sudden distraction, unusual placement) made it impossible for you to see or appreciate the hazard, negating the “open and obvious” argument.
- The Owner Created the Hazard: The owner or employee actively created the dangerous condition, strengthening the claim of negligence.
We also fight against claims of Comparative Negligence, where the defense tries to argue you were partially at fault. Under O.R.C. 2315.33, you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 51% at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Evidence, Damages, & Ohio's Statute of Limitations
To build a successful Premises Liability case, our firm acts immediately to gather and preserve critical evidence, including:
- Photos/Videos of the exact hazard (uneven flooring, missing handrails, etc.)
- Surveillance Footage and Incident Reports
- Witness Statements
- Maintenance and Cleaning Logs to prove notice of the hazard
Under Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) 2305.10, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including slip and fall and trip and fall lawsuits, is two years from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline will permanently bar your right to compensation.
Victims are entitled to recover compensation for all losses, including emergency room bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident on someone else's property, contact our dedicated Ohio legal team immediately.