Most people who are seriously hurt in a fall on someone else’s property share the same first reaction: embarrassment. That instinct to blame yourself is natural, but it is also exactly what property owners and their insurers count on. Massachusetts law imposes specific duties on property owners to maintain safe conditions, and when a dangerous hazard causes injury, the question is not whether you should have been more careful. The question is whether the property owner knew about the condition, or should have known, and failed to correct it. A broken wrist from a wet floor accident in a grocery store, a hip fracture from an icy parking lot, a stairway fall caused by a missing handrail. These injuries produce medical expenses, lost income, and lasting physical limitations regardless of their severity. You do not need witnesses to have a valid claim, and you do not need catastrophic injuries. What you need is evidence, and that evidence deteriorates quickly.
How Our Premises Liability Attorneys Build Your Claim
Premises liability in Massachusetts does not impose automatic responsibility on a property owner simply because an injury occurred on their property. The central issue in most slip and fall cases is notice: did the owner know about the hazardous condition, or did the condition exist long enough that a reasonable owner should have discovered and corrected it? We tell our clients that the difference between a strong claim and a weak one often comes down to what the property owner knew and when they knew it.
Our attorneys investigate the circumstances of each fall by obtaining surveillance footage, maintenance logs, incident reports, and inspection records before they disappear. We identify the specific hazard, whether it involves accumulated ice, a liquid spill, a broken handrail, a torn carpet, or a cracked sidewalk, and establish the timeline that proves the owner’s knowledge. For cases involving snow and ice, we apply the current legal framework governing property owner obligations for winter maintenance, including reasonable timeframes for treatment after storms. We also address Massachusetts comparative negligence rules, which can reduce compensation if the injured person bears partial responsibility, but do not eliminate the claim unless fault exceeds 50%. Clients looking for a trip and fall lawyer or fall injury attorney should understand that a thorough early investigation is what transforms a plausible claim into a provable one.
Why Choose Cohen Cleary
At Cohen Cleary, our practice teams combine deep subject-matter experience with disciplined execution and responsive client service. We do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every matter is handled with careful preparation, clear communication, and a strategy tailored to the client’s goals and the realities of the forum.
Clients choose Cohen Cleary because we deliver:
Practice-Focused Legal Experience
Our attorneys work in defined practice areas, allowing us to develop practical insight into the legal, procedural, and regulatory nuances that matter most in each case. This focus allows us to anticipate issues, avoid unnecessary delays, and position matters for efficient resolution.
Clear Guidance and Proactive Communication
We prioritize clarity at every stage. Clients receive straightforward explanations of their options, timely updates on developments, and practical advice grounded in real-world outcomes.
Strategic Advocacy with Trial Readiness
Whether a matter calls for negotiation, mediation, or litigation, our attorneys prepare every case with discipline and foresight. We pursue efficient resolution when possible and are fully prepared to advocate aggressively when necessary to protect our clients’ interests.
Regional Knowledge and Local Presence
With offices throughout Massachusetts and experience across New England courts and agencies, we bring local insight and regional reach to every matter.
Client-Centered Service
We treat every matter with urgency and respect. Our clients rely on us for responsive service, sound judgment, and steady counsel through complex legal challenges.
In our personal injury work, this approach helps clients navigate premises liability claims with clarity, efficiency, and confidence.
Our Approach to Slip and Fall Injury Claims
Property owners are not automatically liable for injuries on their premises. “I fell, therefore they pay” is not how Massachusetts premises liability works. The property owner’s actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard is often the decisive factor, and insurers aggressively challenge claims where notice is unclear. We build each case around the evidence of what the owner knew, how long the hazard persisted, and what a reasonable property owner would have done.
Serving Slip and Fall Victims Across Massachusetts
Cohen Cleary represents slip and fall victims from offices in Taunton and Plymouth, serving clients across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Our premises liability attorneys handle fall injury cases in Bristol County, Plymouth County, and Norfolk County courts, with familiarity in the procedural expectations and case management practices of each venue. Knowing those realities allows us to set accurate timelines and prepare cases that align with how each court operates. The firm also has the capacity to serve clients throughout New England.
Speak With a Massachusetts Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you have been injured in a slip, trip, or fall on someone else’s property, contact Cohen Cleary for a free consultation. We handle premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis, which means no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call our Taunton or Plymouth office to discuss your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Claims
How do I prove a property owner was responsible for my fall?
You must show that the property owner knew about the dangerous condition, or that the condition existed long enough that a reasonable owner should have discovered and corrected it. Evidence such as maintenance logs, surveillance footage, prior complaints, and incident reports can establish this notice requirement. Your own documentation, including photographs of the hazard taken immediately after the fall, is also valuable.
Does Massachusetts have special rules for slip and fall injuries caused by snow and ice?
Yes. Property owners have obligations to maintain their premises during and after winter weather, including reasonable snow and ice removal within appropriate timeframes. The specific standards depend on the type of property and the circumstances, but property owners cannot simply ignore accumulating ice and avoid responsibility.
What if I was partly at fault for my fall?
Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. Insurers frequently argue contributory fault to reduce payouts, which is why a thorough investigation early in the process matters.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Massachusetts?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Massachusetts is generally three years from the date of injury. However, critical evidence, including surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness recollections, degrades rapidly. Early consultation with a Massachusetts fall injury attorney significantly strengthens a claim.
