Plymouth Slip and Fall Lawyers

Plymouth’s compact historic downtown, thriving waterfront, and busy retail corridors draw thousands of pedestrians every day. The same cobblestones, brick walkways, and harborside boardwalks that lend the town its charm can become treacherous when rain pools, leaves decay, or overnight temperatures drop below freezing. State injury surveillance shows falls are a leading source of serious harm in Massachusetts; 69 residents died from fall-related incidents in 2020 alone, even after an overall dip in workplace activity during the pandemic.

Older adults are at particular risk. Massachusetts health data reveal that people 85 and over sustain fatal fall injuries at a rate of 268 per 100,000, by far the highest of any age group, underscoring why Plymouth’s sizeable senior population needs vigilant property maintenance.

Under common-law principles adopted by the Commonwealth, every property owner or manager owes a duty of reasonable care to lawful visitors. Whether you are an invited customer at Colony Place, a tourist at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, or a utility worker reading a meter, the standard is the same: hazards that the owner knew or should have known about must be fixed, cordoned off, or clearly warned against.

Negligence arises when four elements align:

• Duty – A legal obligation to keep the premises reasonably safe.
• Breach – Failure to repair, remove, or warn of a dangerous condition within a reasonable time.
• Causation – A clear link between the breach and the injuries.
• Damages – Documented economic and non-economic losses.

A slip on a freshly mopped supermarket aisle with no signage, a stairwell handrail that gives way, or black ice left untreated outside a Main Street café can all satisfy these requirements when supported by evidence.

• Spilled beverages or soaps in restaurants and grocery stores
• Poor lighting in colonial-era buildings converted to apartments
• Uneven transitions between original walkways and newer ADA ramps
• Loose dock boards along Town Wharf and the marina
• Untreated snow and ice on private driveways or municipal sidewalks after a Nor’easter

Each scenario triggers different inspection schedules, documentation requirements, and insurance carriers, complexities best tackled by counsel familiar with local ordinances and industry safety codes.

Even when a hazard exists, defendants will try to shift blame onto the victim: improper footwear, distracted walking, or ignoring posted warnings. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence framework codified at G.L. c. 231 § 85. An injured person can recover so long as their share of fault does not reach 51 percent, but the award will be reduced by their percentage of responsibility.

Skilled lawyers counter these arguments by collecting surveillance footage, incident reports, and expert biomechanical analyses that pinpoint precisely why a fall occurred.

For most slip-and-fall claims, Massachusetts sets a three-year statute of limitations from the date of injury.

Shorter notice windows apply when public entities are involved. Claims against the Town of Plymouth or the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation require written notice, often within 30 days, outlining the location, cause, and circumstances. Missing these procedural steps can bar recovery even when liability is clear.

For decades, property owners argued they were immune when someone slipped on “naturally” accumulated snow or ice. That changed in 2010 when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Papadopoulos v. Target Corp. decision aligned winter conditions with every other hazard: owners must act reasonably under the circumstances.

In practical terms, businesses on Court Street must shovel, sand, and salt within a reasonable time after precipitation stops, and document those efforts. Failure to do so provides powerful evidence of negligence.

• Scene photographs and video are captured immediately, before cleaning crews arrive.
• Incident reports, from store management, building security, or police
• Maintenance logs, showing inspection or cleaning schedules
• Weather data, National Weather Service hourly logs, prove temperature and precipitation chronology
• Footwear and clothing, preserve them; tread patterns and residue tell a story
• Medical records connect your fall to fractures, concussions, or spinal injuries

Our firm issues preservation letters under G.L. c. 93A to prevent loss or deletion of critical digital evidence such as CCTV footage.

Victims may recover:

• Medical expenses, past and projected future care
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and loss of life’s enjoyment
• Home modification or mobility-aid costs
• Scarring, disfigurement, and emotional distress

When falls happen on the job, third-party premises claims can supplement workers’ compensation benefits, providing full wage replacement and damages for noneconomic harm.

1. Seek medical evaluation, even if pain seems minor; soft-tissue and head injuries often blossom hours later.
2. Notify the property owner or manager in writing and obtain a copy of any incident report.
3. Photograph the hazard, your injuries, and surrounding conditions from multiple angles.
4. Preserve the shoes and clothes you wore in an airtight bag.
5. Avoid social-media posts that insurers can exploit.
6. Contact a qualified attorney before giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters.

For more than two decades, Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers has championed Plymouth County clients injured by unsafe premises. Our method emphasizes:

• Rapid scene investigation, often within 24 hours, leveraging local engineers and forensic meteorologists.
• Comprehensive medical documentation, working directly with Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth physicians and orthopedic specialists to chart recovery paths and future costs.
• Advanced litigation technology, 3-D laser scans, and accident-reconstruction animations that bring jurors to the scene.
• Proven trial results, multi-million-dollar settlements, and verdicts across Massachusetts.

We operate on a contingency-fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win.

Yes, but you must satisfy the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act’s notice and presentment rules. Swift legal action is critical.

Possibly. As long as your fault does not exceed 50 percent, you can recover a proportionate share of damages.

Do not accept quick blame-shifting tactics. Comparative negligence is a nuanced legal question best resolved with expert testimony and a thorough investigation.

Look for a counsel who:

• Focuses exclusively on personal injury law and premises liability
• Maintains a track record of settlements and jury verdicts in Plymouth County Superior Court
• Invests in cutting-edge demonstrative evidence and collaborates with respected medical experts
• Offers transparent fee structures and frequent case updates

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we meet or exceed each criterion, pairing metropolitan resources with the personal service of a neighborhood practice.

A fall can upend your health, finances, and independence. The sooner you secure experienced legal representation, the better your chances of preserving evidence, meeting statutory deadlines, and maximizing compensation.

Schedule a free consultation with Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today. Our team stands ready to investigate your case, explain your rights, and pursue full accountability from negligent property owners so you can focus on healing and moving forward.