• More than 16,000 adults between ages 25 and 64 visit the ER each year because of falls on unsafe or slippery surfaces.
• For adults 65 and older, falls cause nearly 60% of all injury-related hospital stays.
• About 22% of all workers’ compensation claims involve slips and falls.
• Winter is especially dangerous. Some areas get over 100 inches of snow, leading to icy sidewalks, driveways, and entryways.
  

When property owners or landlords fail to shovel, salt, or maintain their property safely, they can be held responsible under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 231, Section 85.

If you slip or fall on someone else’s property, the pain can be serious, but the legal process does not have to be confusing. At Jason Ranallo Law in Dedham, serving the Boston MetroWest and Southeastern Massachusetts area, we help injured people understand their rights and hold negligent property owners accountable.

Property liability (also known as property owner negligence) means that owners and managers must keep their property reasonably safe for anyone who has a right to be there.

If someone gets hurt because of a dangerous condition such as an icy walkway, a wet floor, a broken handrail, or poor lighting, the property owner may be legally responsible.

Common examples include:

• Slipping on a wet floor in a store.
• Falling on icy stairs outside an apartment building.
• Getting hurt because of poor lighting or missing safety features.
  

Property owners must inspect and maintain their property to prevent these hazards. If they ignore a problem they knew or should have known about, they may be found negligent.

Massachusetts law requires property owners to use “reasonable care” to keep visitors, customers, delivery drivers, and tenants safe.

To win a slip-and-fall or property liability case, we must prove four key points:

• Duty of Care – The property owner had a legal duty to keep the area safe.
• Breach of Duty – The owner failed to meet that duty (for example, by ignoring a leak or not salting icy steps).
• Causation – The unsafe condition caused your injury.
• Damages – You suffered real harm such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
  

Common Types of Slip-and-Fall Claims

• Falls on ice or snow outside stores or apartment buildings.
• Wet or greasy floors in restaurants or shops.
• Broken steps or poor lighting in stairways.
• Loose rugs, cords, or uneven flooring.
• Poorly maintained parking lots or sidewalks.
  

How We Build Your Case

At Jason Ranallo Law, we start by gathering evidence and investigating the cause of your fall. This may include:

• Photos and videos of the hazard.
• Witness statements.
• Accident or incident reports from the property manager.
• Maintenance records or snow removal logs.
• Expert opinions about safety or building code compliance.
• Medical records showing your injuries.
  

We also look at whether the property owner knew or should have known about the danger and failed to fix it in time.

Massachusetts uses a rule called “modified comparative negligence.” This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible.

For example, if you were found 20% at fault, your total award would be reduced by 20%. That is why collecting strong evidence is so important.

Possible Compensation

You may be able to recover money for:

• Medical bills and future treatment.
• Lost income or reduced earning ability.
• Pain and emotional suffering.
• Permanent injuries or scars.
• Out-of-pocket costs from the accident.
  

• Get medical care right away.
• Report the incident to the property owner or manager.
• Take photos of the area, the hazard, and your injuries.
• Collect names and contact info for any witnesses.
• Do not speak with insurance companies or sign anything before talking to an attorney.
  

Slip-and-fall cases can be complex. You need an attorney who understands Massachusetts law and knows how insurance companies handle these claims.

At Jason Ranallo Law, we have represented fall victims since 2002. Our team investigates every detail, negotiates with insurers, and prepares your case for trial if needed.

Contact Us for Help

If you or a loved one was hurt in a fall, contact Jason Ranallo Law today for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your rights, and start building your case right away.