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A day out in Reading, Pennsylvania should not end in a disaster, but someone’s negligence can cause severe injuries to victims. Our slip and fall lawyers in Reading, PA have seen the effects of these accidents on our clients, and we understand how quickly expenses and losses add up. You should not have to pay the price for someone else’s actions.
If you slipped and fell somewhere in Reading, Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC wants to hear from you. Our firm is ready to help victims fight for full compensation that addresses all potential losses. The sooner you call our Reading personal injury lawyers, the sooner we can get to work on your case. Call now to speak with a lawyer about your case.
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Meet Our Attorneys
Lawrence Kalikhman, Esquire
Lawrence Kalikhman, Esquire is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Temple University. Mr. Kalikhman received his Juris Doctorate from the Rutgers University School of Law. He has experience in Personal Injury Litigation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Mr. Kalikhman is admitted to practice before state and federal courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey. He is a member of the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Bucks County Bar Associations, as well as the Pennsylvania Association for Justice.
Eric Rayz, Esquire
Arkady “Eric” Rayz, Esquire is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Temple University. As an undergraduate, Mr. Rayz was a recipient of the H. Thomas and Dorothy Willits Hallowell Scholarship and Temple University President’s Scholar Award. Mr. Rayz obtained his Juris Doctorate from the James E. Beasley School of Law of Temple University, where he was a staff member and editor of the Temple International and Comparative Law Journal.
Mr. Rayz has broad experience in handling matters in federal and state courts and is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations.
Why Are Slip and Fall Accidents Complicated?
Many victims may think that their case is straightforward—they fell on someone’s property, and now they can seek damages. In reality, slip and fall cases are incredibly complex. Proving liability goes beyond showing proof of injuries, and the average person is not equipped to handle this fight.
- When working on slip and fall cases, our attorneys must be able to identify which party is responsible for the hazard. This can be tricky, as multiple parties could be responsible for maintaining different parts of the property.
- We must also show that they knew or should have known about the hazard that caused the fall. This is crucial to your injury case—without this, you have no way to seek damages.
- Insurers try to push responsibility for the accident off onto victims. They could blame you for the fall or even claim that your injuries are pre-existing or not that serious. Many injuries from slip and falls are invisible, and insurers use this to their advantage.
- Finding evidence is challenging if you don’t know what to look for or if the report is not made in a timely manner. You may not know how to use the evidence you do find to your case’s advantage.
When it comes to a slip and fall, very few cases are simple. Let our attorneys represent your case so you can avoid common pitfalls.
Choosing Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC to Represent Your Slip and Fall
The aftermath of a fall is a lot to handle. You are injured and trying to focus on your health, but conversations with insurers are stressful. You do not know the full extent of your losses, and you might be worried about unfair offers. You may feel pressured to accept an offer or drop your case altogether. If you do, you will have to live with the consequences of someone else’s negligence without justice.
Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC is here to represent you during this confusing time. Our team has served Pennsylvanians since 2005, guiding victims through the legal process to seek the results they need. With over 100 years of combined experience, we will:
- Collect evidence for your case. Proof of negligence is hard to come by in a slip and fall, but our lawyers know what to look for to help support your case.
- Work with various experts who support your claim. Expert testimonies and statements can make a difference in your claim. For example, we work with medical professionals who can demonstrate the extent of your injuries and the harm you have suffered.
- Establish liability. Slip and falls can be complicated, but our team knows how to identify potentially liable parties and prove that their actions caused your injuries and losses.
- Negotiate for settlements and represent you in court. Whatever path your slip and fall case takes, Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC is equipped to represent your best interests. Insurers will try to minimize payouts, but we know how to push back and seek a fair settlement or verdict.
We know you have a lot on your plate right now—call our team today to get started with a free consultation.
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Common Causes of Slip and Falls in Reading
According to 2023 data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, approximately 63 percent of people in Berks County were hospitalized for injuries related to a fall. These injuries cost patients well over $260 million. Falls are serious and are often the result of negligence. Some of the common causes of these accidents our lawyers handle include:
Spills and Wet Surfaces
Ice, rain, snow, and other liquids are major culprits for falls of all ages. While business owners and other parties cannot prevent inclement weather, they can take steps to help minimize potential hazards caused by rain, snow, and ice.
This could mean salting the sidewalks or putting up wet floor signs. When it comes to spills or leaks on the property, owners should address the issues as soon as possible or at least provide warnings about the issue.
Uneven Flooring and Walkway Debris
Another potential cause of a slip or trip and fall is uneven flooring. This can include:
- Broken or loose tiles
- Warped flooring
- Torn or damaged carpets or rugs
- Uneven pavement
- Loose gravel and potholes
- Debris or items on walkways, such as store merchandise, leaves, rocks, and extension cords
Many accidents caused by these hazards could be prevented with adequate warnings and repairs.
Poor Lighting and Other Safety Concerns
Sometimes, visitors can trip or slip because of poor or absent lighting in a business or other establishment. This lighting issue can make otherwise obvious hazards hard to see. Additionally, loose or broken handrails could cause someone to fall and hurt themselves. If there are no warnings about these issues, property owners could be liable for harm.
Whatever the cause, our attorneys are prepared to hold negligent property owners and other parties liable for your slip or trip and fall in Reading.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive for My Slip and Fall Injuries?
As you well know, slip and fall accidents can cause serious harm to victims. The emotional, financial, and physical injuries can change the course of your life, and liable parties should be held accountable for your losses. Every case is different, but some of the damages our firm can pursue on your behalf include:
- Medical Expenses: Medical bills are often the most significant loss for injury victims. Back trauma, fractures, and traumatic brain injuries are just some of the injuries you could suffer. You may need treatment for months or years after your accident, and you deserve compensation for all current and future medical costs.
- Pain and Suffering and Emotional Losses: The mental and emotional trauma from your fall is just as important as your physical and financial losses. You may be dealing with significant pain, anguish, and harm to your ability to enjoy life.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Many injury victims find themselves spending more money than expected to help them deal with their slip and falls. Perhaps you need to travel out of Reading to see a specialist, or you need to hire someone to help you take care of your household. Our lawyers can fight for a settlement or verdict that compensates you for these and other needs.
- Lost Income and Earning Potential: You may find yourself out of work for weeks, months, or even years as you recover. You may not be able to work, and you are losing valuable income for your household. Your injuries could be so serious that you can never work again, or you need to change jobs entirely. Whatever the impact on your income and livelihood, you can seek damages to address such losses.
Here at Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, we take your injuries personally—your needs become our top priority, and we will fight for an outcome that helps you get your life back.
Reading Slip & Fall Lawyer FAQs
One of the most important tasks you can do after a fall is seek medical attention. Your injuries may not seem obvious, but they can quickly get worse. Going to the doctor allows you to protect your health and establish a record of injuries.
Make sure you make a report about the accident, take pictures of the hazard, and get a copy of the incident report. Without this information, you may have little proof of the incident.
Additionally, avoid posting on social media or talking to insurers without a lawyer. These actions could weaken your claim for damages, leaving you with a low payout or nothing at all. Hiring a lawyer who handles slip and fall cases can help you prevent these and other pitfalls, so do not hesitate to call us as soon as you can after your accident.
Per 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2), you only have two years to file your lawsuit. While this may seem like a long time to act, you should not wait to file your suit. If you miss this deadline, you could miss your chance to sue for damages.
Yes, you could still seek damages if you were partially responsible for your slip and fall. Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law (42 Pa. C.S.A. § 7102) states that victims can receive reduced damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident.
Property owners may try to unfairly blame you or blow your percentage of fault out of proportion in an attempt to reduce your payout. Do not let these parties intimidate you into accepting lowball offers or into dropping your claim—let us fight back on your behalf.
Call Our Reading Team Now to Get Started on Your Slip and Fall Case
When you are recovering from a fall, the last thing you need is the stress of legal action. Our firm is committed to providing personalized and compassionate care to injury victims, so let us get to work for you. Call Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC now to get started with a free consultation. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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