10 Mistakes to Avoid After a Slip and Fall Accident in Philadelphia

Slipping on a wet floor, uneven sidewalk, or poorly maintained staircase doesn’t just leave you embarrassed—it can leave you with injuries that disrupt your work, your routine, and your ability to live without pain. When that fall happens because a property owner neglected their responsibility, you should know how to legally protect yourself from day one.

At Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers, we know how quickly small decisions after a fall shape the outcome of a claim. Understanding the mistakes to avoid after a slip and fall accident in Philadelphia helps protect your health and ability to hold the property owner accountable.

Mistake #1: Skipping Medical Treatment

Some injuries immediately appear, while others develop hours or days later. Failing to get a medical exam right after the incident often creates problems. Medical records directly link the fall and your injuries, and this link is critical to proving your case.

If you delay treatment, the insurer can claim that your injuries happened later and are not related to the incident. They can also claim that your failure to seek treatment exacerbated your injury—placing blame for some of the cost on you.

Even if you only feel slightly sore, let a doctor document every symptom. These records matter when it’s time to prove how the fall impacted your life.

Mistake #2: Walking Away Without Reporting the Fall

Many people feel embarrassed after falling, especially in public, so they get up, brush themselves off, and leave. That’s a costly mistake. Failing to report the incident allows the property owner to claim it never happened or to quietly fix the hazard before anyone can document it.

If you fall in a store, restaurant, apartment building, or public sidewalk, file an incident report immediately. Ask for a copy, and make sure it accurately describes what caused the fall.

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Take Photos or Videos

Conditions change fast, especially in public places. Rain dries up, spills get cleaned up, and damaged stairs or railings get repaired. By the time anyone investigates, the scene might look completely different from the day of your fall.

Use your phone to document everything—the hazard that caused your fall, the area around it, and any visible injuries. Photos and videos capture details that property owners and insurance adjusters can’t deny later.

Mistake #4: Assuming You Were at Fault

It’s human nature to blame yourself after a fall. Maybe you were distracted or not watching where you stepped. However, property owners have a duty under Pennsylvania law to maintain safe conditions.

Even if you were partially distracted, that doesn’t automatically mean you’re at fault. Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible.

Never assume you can’t pursue a slip and fall claim just because you think you could have been more careful.

Mistake #5: Giving a Recorded Statement to Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters know how to twist what you say. A casual comment like “I’m fine” or “I didn’t see the spill” can work against you later. These conversations may initially feel harmless but often lead to claim denials or reduced offers.

Before you say anything to the property owner’s insurance company, talk to our slip and fall attorneys in Philadelphia. They can protect your rights and ensure your words don’t get used against you.

Mistake #6: Not Following Through with Treatment

Starting treatment but stopping too soon or missing appointments can weaken your claim. Gaps in care give insurance companies a reason to argue that your injuries must not be serious or that something other than the fall caused your pain.

Every visit adds to your medical record and documents the connection between the fall and your injuries. Consistent treatment also gives you the best shot at recovering physically, not just financially.

Mistake #7: Throwing Away Physical Evidence

That torn coat, broken shoe, or ripped handbag might seem like trash, but it often serves as proof of how hard you fell or how unsafe the conditions were. Property owners may try to argue that the hazard wasn’t that bad or that you didn’t fall as hard as you claimed.

Keep everything from the day of the fall—including the clothes and shoes you wore. These items help reconstruct what happened when questions arise during your slip and fall case.

Mistake #8: Assuming Security Cameras Will Save Footage

Many businesses in Philadelphia rely on security cameras, but those systems don’t automatically save footage forever. Many systems delete video after just a few days unless someone requests that it be saved. The property owner has no legal obligation to keep it unless they know a claim is coming.

Once you hire an attorney, they can send a preservation letter to ensure that video evidence is saved before it’s too late.

Mistake #9: Accepting a Fast Settlement Offer

Insurance companies often try to settle fast—before you know the full extent of your injuries or long-term care needs. That early offer might cover the first hospital bill, but it rarely comes close to covering lost wages, ongoing treatment, future medical expenses, or pain and suffering.

Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers make sure settlement offers reflect what you actually need, not what the insurance company hopes you’ll take. Rushing to settle leaves you at their mercy. If you jump at a lowball offer because you desperately need money, you can never go back for more—regardless of how much the injury costs in the long run.

Mistake #10: Trying to Handle the Claim Without Legal Help

Slip and fall cases can get complicated fast. Property owners often claim they didn’t know about the hazard or blame the victim for not watching where they walked. Pennsylvania law sets a strict two-year deadline for premises liability claims. If you miss that window, you lose the right to recover compensation for your losses.

At Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers, we know the tactics property owners and insurance companies use to avoid responsibility. We gather the proper evidence, build strong cases, and protect your right to seek compensation.

Protect Your Rights and Your Future

The decisions you make in the hours and days after a fall can carry more weight than people realize. Knowing the mistakes to avoid gives you the best chance to protect your health and legal rights.

Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers takes every case personally because we know how much is at stake for you and your family. If you fall because someone failed to keep their property safe, call us for a free consultation. You won’t pay us any money until we recover compensation for you. So call today.