Springfield MA Slip and Fall Lawyer
Fell on ice, a wet floor, or broken stairs at a store, apartment, or business? Property owners in Massachusetts have a duty to keep people safe, and video and other evidence can disappear within days. Attorney Daniel A. Pava has represented injured people in Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee since 1981. No fees unless we win.
- ★ Rating 100+ five-star Google reviews
- 40+ Years Of legal experience
- No Fee Unless we win your case
- Bilingual English & Español
Free Slip and Fall Case Review
Tell us what happened. We'll respond within one business day.
Your information is confidential. No obligation. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Why Slip and Fall Cases Are Different
A fall can look simple, but these cases turn on details that insurance companies know how to use against you.
The Evidence Disappears Fast
Store cameras often record over themselves within days. Spills get mopped and ice melts. The sooner the evidence is preserved, the stronger your case.
It Comes Down to Notice
The key question is usually whether the owner knew, or should have known, about the hazard and had time to fix it. Proving that takes the right records.
Snow and Ice Are Not a Free Pass
In Massachusetts, property owners must take reasonable steps to clear snow and ice. “It was a natural accumulation” is no longer a defense on its own.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
If you're able, these steps protect both your health and your claim:
- Report it right awayTell the manager, landlord, or owner, and ask for a copy of the incident report.
- Photograph the hazardThe ice, spill, broken step, or poor lighting, before anyone cleans it up. Include your shoes.
- Get names and numbersWitnesses, employees, and anyone who helped you.
- Ask about camerasNote where cameras are. Video is often the strongest evidence, and the first to disappear.
- See a doctorEven if you feel okay. Some fall injuries, like fractures and head injuries, get worse over time.
- Keep your recordsMedical bills, missed work, and the shoes and clothes you were wearing.
Hit your head in the fall? Read could it be a concussion? and our brain injury lawyer page.
Slip and Fall Results
Real recoveries for Western Massachusetts clients hurt in falls on unsafe property.
Slip and fall outside a convenience store due to snow and ice, resulting in a leg fracture.
Slip and fall in a supermarket caused by a defective floor cleaning machine that left a puddle of water, resulting in a left wrist fracture.
Slip and fall outside the client's apartment building due to snow and ice.
See more results on our recent settlements page. Each case is unique. The settlements shown above were obtained for specific clients in specific circumstances; your case may have different facts and result in a different outcome.
How We Build a Slip and Fall Case
Winning a fall case means proving what the owner knew and what they failed to do.
- Preserve the videoWe send preservation letters fast, before security footage is recorded over.
- Inspection and cleaning logsRecords that show how often the area was checked, salted, or cleaned, or wasn't.
- Prior complaints and incidentsEarlier reports of the same hazard can prove the owner knew about it.
- Weather and snow-removal recordsFor ice and snow falls: storm timing, plowing contracts, and salting schedules.
- Your medical recordsLinking your injuries, from fractures to concussions, directly to the fall.
- Building and safety codesMissing handrails, uneven steps, and poor lighting can violate code requirements.
Falls We Handle
If an unsafe condition on someone else's property caused your fall, we want to hear about it.
- Ice and SnowUnshoveled sidewalks, icy parking lots, and untreated entrances at stores and apartments.
- Wet and Slippery FloorsSpills, leaks, freshly mopped floors, and tracked-in water with no warning signs.
- Stairs and HandrailsBroken or uneven steps, missing handrails, and poorly lit stairways.
- Parking Lots and SidewalksPotholes, broken pavement, and curbs that aren't marked or maintained.
- Apartments and RentalsLandlords must keep common areas safe. See our broader premises liability page.
- Stores and RestaurantsSupermarkets, convenience stores, malls, and restaurants across Hampden County.
Serving Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee and All of Western Mass
Our office is in downtown Springfield. We represent people hurt in falls throughout Hampden County.
Not sure if you have a case? Answer a few quick questions, free and confidential. ¿Habla español? Vea resbalones y caídas.
How It Works
Three simple steps from first call to compensation.
Free Case Review
Call us or fill out the form. We'll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether you have a case. No cost, no pressure, no obligation.
We Preserve the Evidence
We move quickly to lock down video, incident reports, and maintenance records, and we deal with the insurance company for you.
You Get Paid
We push for the maximum settlement possible. If the insurer won't be fair, we're prepared to go to trial. You pay us nothing unless we win money for you.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from real clients. See all 100+ five-star Google reviews.
"The work team of Daniel Pava — Jamie, Sandra and the staff — did an excellent job. They found a way to get the most in my case until the last moment. I recommend them."
"I promise you you will not regret being under this tremendous lawyer and his staff. Very good treatment and the end of the cases is the best."
"I recommend Pava Law to anyone that needs an attorney! They're very professional people and friendly. Jamie is always on top of what needs to be done with the case. Super helpful."
Slip and Fall Questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most after a fall.
Who is responsible when I slip and fall on someone else's property?
Usually the person or business that owns or controls the property: a store, landlord, property manager, or business owner. Sometimes a snow-removal or maintenance contractor shares responsibility. The question is whether they knew, or should have known, about the hazard and failed to fix it or warn you in time. Full answer: who is responsible for a slip and fall?
I slipped on ice or snow. Do I still have a case in Massachusetts?
Possibly. Massachusetts used to treat snow and ice from natural weather differently, but in 2010 the state's highest court changed that rule. Today, property owners must take reasonable steps to remove snow and ice, the same as any other hazard. Whether they acted reasonably depends on things like how long the ice was there and what they did about it. More in slipping on ice or snow in Massachusetts.
What if I was partly at fault for my fall?
Massachusetts uses comparative negligence. You can still recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame. Insurers often blame the person who fell, so don't assume you have no case. More in what if the accident was partly my fault?
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim?
In most cases, three years from the date of the fall. Falls on city or town property, like public sidewalks, can have special notice rules with much shorter deadlines, sometimes as short as 30 days. The evidence clock is even shorter, so it's best to act quickly. Details in slip and fall deadlines in Massachusetts.
How much is a slip and fall case worth?
Every case is different, and no honest lawyer can promise a number up front. Value usually depends on how serious the injury is, whether you needed surgery, how much work you missed, whether the injury is permanent, and how clear the owner's responsibility is. Past results don't guarantee a future outcome. See also can I get pain and suffering in Massachusetts?
The store says there's no video. What now?
Act fast. Many systems record over footage within days. A lawyer can send a preservation letter demanding the business save video, incident reports, and cleaning logs. Even without video, witness statements, photos, and maintenance records can prove a case.
I fell in my apartment building. Can I make a claim against my landlord?
Often, yes. Massachusetts landlords must keep common areas like stairways, hallways, entrances, and parking lots reasonably safe, including clearing snow and ice. Report the fall to your landlord in writing and keep a copy. More in falls in apartment buildings.
Slip and Fall Questions, Answered in Full
About Attorney Daniel A. Pava
Daniel A. Pava was born, raised, and educated in Springfield, Massachusetts. After graduating from Classical High School, he attended American International College and earned his B.A. with High Honors before going on to law school.
For more than 40 years, Daniel has represented injured people across Western Massachusetts, including people hurt in falls at stores, apartments, and businesses. He personally handles every case from start to finish.
Hurt in a Fall? Act Before the Evidence Is Gone.
Video gets recorded over and hazards get fixed. Talk to a lawyer before you give a statement to the property owner's insurance company. The call is free, and you owe nothing unless we win.