Virginia Beach Sidewalk Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers

Our Virginia attorneys sue those liable for unsafe walkways

One of the pleasures of living in Virginia Beach is strolling on the Boardwalk or through scenic neighborhoods, such as Town Center and the ViBe District, to take in the ambience of this dynamic community. Unfortunately, a brief encounter with a sidewalk hazard can ruin your outing and leave you with painful injuries. If you’ve suffered a slip or trip and fall on a sidewalk or other pathway open to the public, Ernest Law Group, PLC can help. Our Virginia Beach sidewalk slip and fall injury lawyers will thoroughly investigate your accident and work tirelessly to recover the compensation you deserve.

Types of injuries from sidewalk accidents

A sudden fall onto a hard surface can result in lasting, debilitating harm. Injuries suffered in slips and falls can include:

• Head wounds, concussions and traumatic brain injury
• Broken bones
• Compressed vertebrae
• Displaced discs
• Torn ligaments or cartilage
• Nerve damage
• Joint and muscle sprains

Elderly individuals are especially vulnerable to the effects of a sidewalk fall.

Common sidewalk conditions that lead to slip and fall accidents 

Conditions that can cause a pedestrian to slip or trip on a walkway include:

• Uneven pavement or a sudden change in level
• Debris
• Cracks, chips, or potholes
• Poor drainage
• Snow or ice accumulation
• Obstructions
• Construction defect or inadequate maintenance

Generally speaking, the longer a hazardous condition has existed, the more likely it is that a responsible party has been negligent.

Who can be sued for a sidewalk slip and fall injury in Virginia Beach?

Just as with a fall at a shopping center, a sidewalk slip or trip and fall requires you to identify the person or entity responsible for maintaining the site where you fell. In Virginia Beach, the sidewalk could be the property of a private landowner, a commercial property owner or the municipality. In cases of private or commercial ownership, the owner may have leased the property to another person or entity who has assumed responsibility for keeping the property safe. A premises liability lawyer can help you identify the correct defendant in your case.

Falls due to icy conditions

Snow and ice accumulation present unique legal questions when it comes to liability. Virginia law recognizes that snow and ice storms are natural phenomena and that property owners cannot instantly remove the hazards they present. Property owners are given a reasonable amount of time after a storm has passed to accomplish snow and ice removal. At that point, the law only requires that they make walkways reasonably safe. However, property owners are almost certainly liable when their efforts at snow removal make conditions worse for pedestrians, such as by shoveling snow and exposing a layer of ice underneath.

Filing a claim against the government in Virginia Beach 

When a government entity is in charge of the sidewalk, your slip and fall case becomes more complex. State, federal, and local government all have some level of sovereign immunity. To sue an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, you must follow the procedures in the Virginia Tort Claims Act. To sue a municipality, you must provide notice of your claim, usually within six months of the accident. This means you must act quickly or lose your right to recover damages. 

Contact our Virginia slip and fall attorneys for a free sidewalk injury consultation

Ernest Law Group, PLC in Virginia Beach represents victims of sidewalk slip and fall accidents in the Hampton Roads area. Please call 757-289-2499 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.