Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall claims turn on notice, maintenance records, and short deadlines that can bar a claim before it starts. We investigate early and deal with the property owner and its insurer.
A fall on an icy walkway, a wet floor, or a broken stair can cause injuries that take months or years to heal: fractures, torn ligaments, concussions, and back injuries that make it hard to work or care for your family.
People who fall often blame themselves. In many cases, the real cause is a property owner or manager who did not keep the premises reasonably safe.
At Kabir & Alam, we help people injured in falls on commercial, residential, and public property across the Greater Toronto Area hold the responsible party accountable.
Who is responsible
Under Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act, whoever controls a property, whether the owner, a tenant, a property manager, or a maintenance contractor, must take reasonable care to keep visitors safe. That duty covers the condition of the property and the activities that happen on it.
More than one party is often responsible. A plaza owner, the store that leases the unit, and the snow removal company it hired may all share liability for the same patch of ice. Identifying every responsible party early matters, because the insurance available to compensate you depends on it.
Common fall claims
- Ice and snow in parking lots, on walkways, and at building entrances
- Wet or freshly cleaned floors without warning signs
- Uneven pavement, broken stairs, and missing handrails
- Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, and parking garages
- Loose carpeting, cables, and cluttered aisles
Notice periods are short
Slip and fall claims have some of the shortest deadlines in personal injury law. A fall caused by snow or ice on private property requires written notice to the occupier within a matter of weeks. A fall on a municipal sidewalk or road requires written notice to the municipality within days. Missing these notices can end a claim before it starts, although there are limited exceptions.
If you have fallen, contact us as soon as you can. We will send the notices and preserve the evidence while you focus on treatment.
Proving what happened
Ice melts, floors get mopped, and surveillance footage is overwritten within days. A strong claim depends on evidence gathered quickly: photographs of the hazard, footwear, weather records, incident reports, witness names, and maintenance logs. We move fast on all of it.
The occupier will almost always argue that you were not paying attention or wore the wrong footwear. Even where a court accepts some shared responsibility, you can still recover the portion of your losses that the occupier is responsible for.
How we can help
If you were injured in a fall, we can help you:
- Send the required written notices before the deadlines run
- Identify every owner, occupier, and contractor who may be responsible
- Secure surveillance footage, incident reports, and maintenance records
- Document your injuries, treatment, and lost income
- Negotiate with the insurers, and litigate where needed
Falls on someone else’s property are also covered under our broader Occupier’s Liability practice. You pay no legal fees unless we recover money for you. Our maximum contingency fee percentage is 33% of the amount recovered; the exact percentage and how it is calculated are set out in the Law Society of Ontario standard form contingency fee agreement, which we review with you before you sign anything.
Injured in a fall? Contact us for a free consultation.
The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal advice. Limitation periods and notice requirements apply to injury claims and can be short. For advice about your own situation, please contact us to arrange a consultation.