Virginia Slip and Fall Claims at a Glance
- Notice is usually the key issue. You generally must show the property owner knew, or should have known, about the spill, ice, broken step or other hazard in time to fix it or warn you.
- Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance video is often overwritten within days, and spills get cleaned up. Photograph the hazard, report the fall, and get witness names right away.
- Contributory negligence applies. Virginia can bar recovery if you are found even slightly at fault, and the owner will often argue you should have seen the hazard.
- Government property has a six-month notice rule. Falls on property owned by a Virginia county, city or town generally require a written notice of claim within six months (Va. Code § 15.2-209).
- Two-year deadline. Most Virginia slip and fall claims must be filed within two years (Va. Code § 8.01-243).
Slip-and-fall or trip and fall accidents can occur anywhere — in a grocery store, a shopping mall, a school, an office building, a walkway, a parking lot or on a sidewalk. Your injury could be caused by the owner’s negligence, such as, a defect in the flooring, a spill in an aisle, inadequate lighting or uneven walkways. By law, buildings, parking lots, walkways, etc., should be properly maintained to ensure the safety of invitees, i.e., customers, clients, visitors or persons walking on such premises. If the owner of the premises fails to keep the property reasonably safe, the injured party may be entitled to compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact Hilton & Somer, LLC today to see if you have a case against the property owner. Call our MD, VA and DC Slip and Fall Accident attorney at (703) 560-0700. Se habla Español.
An invitee has the right to assume that the premises are reasonably safe for his or her visit and property owners are required to use reasonable care in the management and maintenance of their buildings or premises. If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you have to prove that the property owners knew or should have known of the dangerous condition on their property and failed to correct it and that their negligence was the proximate cause of the accident.
Our lawyers are experienced in handling personal injury cases involving all types of traumatic personal injuries, including, but not limited to:
- Wrongful death
- Brain injuries
- Back, neck and spinal cord injuries
- Injuries to children
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Slip and Fall Attorneys in VA, MD and DC
To learn more about how our experienced Slip and Fall Accident lawyers can help you, contact Hilton & Somer, LLC at (703) 560-0700. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for you.
Areas We Serve
Hilton & Somer is based in Fairfax, Virginia and represents injured clients throughout Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland, including:
- Northern Virginia: Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Springfield, Manassas, Annandale, McLean, Falls Church, Centreville, Leesburg, Fredericksburg and Charlottesville, plus Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fauquier and Culpeper Counties
- District of Columbia: Washington, DC
- Maryland: Bethesda, Silver Spring, Oxon Hill and College Park, plus Montgomery, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Howard, Frederick and Washington Counties
Slip and Fall FAQ
What should I do right after a slip and fall?
Report the fall to the store or property manager and ask for a copy of the incident report, photograph the hazard and your shoes, get witness contact information, seek medical care, and ask that surveillance video be preserved.
Can I still recover if the hazard was easy to see?
It depends on the facts. Property owners often argue a hazard was open and obvious, and under Virginia’s contributory negligence rule that can bar recovery. Lighting, distractions and how long the hazard was present all matter.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Virginia?
Most slip and fall claims in Virginia must be filed within two years. If the fall happened on property owned by a county, city or town, a written notice of claim is generally due within six months.
Who can be held responsible for a slip and fall?
Depending on the location, responsible parties may include the property owner, a tenant business, a property management company, or a snow removal or maintenance contractor.
How much does it cost to hire a slip and fall lawyer?
Hilton & Somer handles slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and the first consultation is free.
