Boston Slip and Fall Lawyer – Helping Fall Accident Victims Throughout Massachusetts
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, unexpected medical expenses, and lost wages. If you or a loved one has suffered a fall injury due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property—whether at a grocery store, shopping mall, apartment complex, parking lot, or public sidewalk—you may be entitled to financial compensation under Massachusetts premises liability law.
At Gavagan Law, LLC, we help fall accident victims hold negligent property owners accountable. Our experienced slip and fall attorneys will investigate your case, gather witness statements, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Do You Have a Slip and Fall Case?
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, the property owner may be legally responsible. Under Massachusetts law, property owners, landlords, and business owners have a duty of care to maintain a safe environment for visitors. When they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent unsafe conditions, they can be held liable for premises liability claims.
Understanding Massachusetts Premises Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents
Under Massachusetts premises liability law, property owners and business owners in Boston or anywhere throughout the Commonwealth, owe lawful visitors a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonable safe condition and warn of hazards. They have to take reasonable precautions to maintain their property and prevent dangerous conditions. Individuals injured in a slip and fall accident can hold negligent property owners accountable when four key elements are met. As your Boston slip and fall lawyer and Dorchester premises liability attorney, Gavagan Law, LLC breaks down what you need to know:
1. Duty of Care
Property owners owe a legal duty of care to invitees and licensees. Whether you slipped on ice outside a Back Bay grocery store, tripped on uneven pavement in Dorchester, or fell on a public walkway in Worcester, the owner must:
- Regularly inspect for hazards
- Repair or warn about known dangers
- Post clear signage (e.g., “Wet Floor” cones in retail stores)
A Massachusetts slip and fall attorney will obtain maintenance records and inspection logs to prove this duty existed.
2. Breach of Duty
A breach of duty happens when an owner fails to address or warn of a dangerous condition. Common examples our fall accident lawyers in Boston and throughout MA investigate include:
- Icy Walkways & Snow Buildup without de‐icing, cones, or warning signs
- Defective Stairs & Missing Handrails in apartment buildings or workplaces
- Wet Floors & Liquid Spills in grocery stores, malls, or restaurants (no “Caution” signage)
- Poor Lighting in parking lots, stairwells, and private walkways
- Uneven Sidewalks, Broken Pavement & Potholes on public or commercial property
- Obstructions or Debris left on walking paths, or falling objects from ceiling disrepair
- Electrocution or Electrical Shock from exposed wiring or faulty fixtures
- Negligent Security leading to an assault or injury
We document the hazard through photographs, video, and witness statements to establish negligence.
3. Causation & Damages
You must show that the hazardous condition directly caused your injuries. As experienced fall accident lawyers in Boston, we:
- Gather medical records linking your fracture, sprain, or traumatic brain injury to the fall
- Retain expert testimony (e.g., safety engineers) to explain how the defect led to your harm
- Compile loss documents (wage statements, bills) so you recover full compensation for slip and fall injury in Boston
Comparative Fault in Massachusetts
Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re found partially at fault—for example, texting while walking on a wet floor—your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, provided you’re not more than 50% to blame. A Dorchester slip and fall lawyer will work to minimize any assigned fault and maximize your settlement.
Common Locations for Slip and Fall Accidents
- Grocery Stores & Retail Stores
- Apartment Buildings & Rental Properties (Landlord negligence)
- Restaurants & Hotels
- Hospitals & Medical Offices
- Shopping Malls & Parking Lots
- Construction Sites & Workplaces
- Private Walkways and Commercial Sidewalks
- Sidewalks and walkways on privately owned property, such as in front of an apartment buildings, office complex, or shopping centers. Sidewalks maintained by businesses.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall injuries can result from a variety of unsafe conditions, including:
- Icy Walkways & Snow Accumulation
- Uneven Sidewalks, Broken Pavement & Potholes
- Wet Floors & Spills (No Warning Signs)
- Defective Stairs, Missing Handrails & Loose Steps
- Poor Lighting in Parking Lots & Stairwells
- Cluttered Walkways, Debris, & Falling Objects
- Negligent Security (Leading to Assault or Injury)
- Unsafe Construction Sites & Workplace Hazards
If you’ve suffered a fall injury due to one of these hazardous conditions, you may be entitled to compensation.
Third-Party Contractor Liability
In many Massachusetts slip and fall cases, negligent property owners aren’t the only ones at fault. If a maintenance company, janitorial service, property manager, or snow-removal contractor failed to keep the premises safe, we’ll name them as defendants too—ensuring you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
Common Injuries after a Slip and Fall Accident
- Sprains, strains, and fractures (wrist, hip, ankle)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
- Soft tissue injuries (ligaments, rotator cuff tears)
- Emotional distress and trauma
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Premises Liability Case?
- Medical Bills & Future Medical Costs
- Lost Wages & Loss of Earning Capacity
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress & Trauma
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Wrongful Death (for fatal injuries caused by falls)
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
1. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel pain right away, serious injuries from a slip and fall can lurk beneath the surface—torn rotator cuff, wrist fractures, hip fractures, ankle sprains, soft tissue injuries (sprains & strains), dislocated shoulders, concussions or other traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and spinal cord injuries can all present symptoms hours or days later. Get evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. Prompt treatment not only protects your health but also generates critical medical records for your Boston slip and fall claim.
2. Report the Accident
Notify the property owner, landlord, or manager and ensure a report is filed. Notify the property owner, landlord, or manager—whether it’s an apartment, grocery store, retail store, or parking garage in Boston—and request that they file a formal incident report. This documentation is vital when you pursue a premises liability claim.
3. Document the Scene
Use your phone to photograph or video the exact hazard that caused your fall: icy patches, uneven pavement, broken handrails, wet floors with no “Caution” signage, poor lighting, or debris. These images help your Massachusetts premises liability attorney prove negligence.
4. Collect Witness Statements
If anyone saw your fall or the dangerous condition beforehand, politely ask for their name and best contact information. Eyewitness accounts—from a grocery store clerk in Cambridge to a passerby on a Boston sidewalk—can significantly strengthen your slip and fall injury case.
5. Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer
Insurance companies often undervalue or deny fair compensation for torn rotator cuffs, concussions, or extensive soft tissue treatment. A Boston premises liability lawyer will protect your rights, handle all negotiations with insurance carriers, and fight to recover full damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Massachusetts Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Claims
- Standard Rule: Under Massachusetts law, you generally have three (3) years from the date of your fall to file a personal injury lawsuit in Massachusetts.
- Municipal Claims: If your accident occurred on municipal property, controlled by a city, town, or government entity, like the MBTA (MBTA station, municipal building), there may be certain notice requirements. In these instances, under G.L. c. 258, § 4, written Presentment must be made to the government entity within two (2) years of the accident occurring—or risk losing your right to recover.
Because missing deadlines can bar your claim, consult a Boston premises liability attorney immediately to protect your legal rights.
Why Choose Gavagan Law for Your Slip and Fall Case?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Gavagan Law, LLC for a free consultation. We are dedicated to helping victims of fall accidents seek maximum compensation for their injuries. Reach out to Gavagan Law for a free consultation, call or send us an email through our contact form.
Serving Slip and Fall Victims Throughout Massachusetts
No matter where you live—from downtown Boston to Cape Cod—our Boston slip and fall lawyers and Massachusetts premises liability attorneys are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Greater Boston & Surrounding Neighborhoods
- Boston: Downtown, Back Bay, South Boston, South End, Roxbury, Dorchester
- Cambridge • Somerville • Quincy • Brookline • Milton
- Chelsea • Revere • Winthrop
Metro West & Central Massachusetts
- Framingham • Natick • Marlborough
- Worcester • Westborough • Shrewsbury
North Shore & Essex County
- Salem • Lynn • Lawrence • Haverhill • Beverly
South Shore & Plymouth County
- Brockton • Plymouth • Hingham • Hanover • Cohasset
Cape Cod & Islands
- Barnstable • Hyannis • Falmouth • Mashpee • Nantucket
Other Massachusetts Communities
- Pittsfield • Springfield • New Bedford • Fall River