If you fell on a walkway or outdoor step at an apartment complex in Somerton, Philadelphia, a defect in the path is often to blame. Broken pavement, rainwater pooling in low spots, and worn step edges are common hazards along the route from the parking lot to your front door. When the owner or management company knew about the hazard, or should have discovered it, you may have grounds for a slip and fall accident claim.
Our Somerton slip and fall attorneys at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer help tenants and guests hurt on apartment grounds. In this discussion, we explain how these outdoor falls happen and what evidence can support a personal injury claim.
Low-Rise Apartments in Somerton, Philadelphia, Rely on Outdoor Walkways
Somerton Court is a 150-unit apartment complex located on Bustleton Avenue. City of Philadelphia property records show it was built in 1974. The same records list it as a low-rise apartment property, three stories tall.
The complex’s buildings spread across the property, with outdoor walkways leading from a shared parking lot to each entrance. Some entries also have outdoor steps. Unlike a high-rise with an indoor lobby, this layout keeps the whole trip from car to door outside.
Somerton is heavily car-dependent, so most trips start and end with that walk. A single-family home has one front walk. But residents of Somerton Court’s 150 units all use the same paths, so one damaged spot can affect many people.
Why Does Broken Pavement Cause Falls on Somerton Apartment Walkways?
Broken pavement causes falls because even a small raised or sunken edge can catch your foot mid-step. Outdoor concrete and asphalt crack and shift as they age, and walkways at older complexes often show decades of wear.
When a section sinks or lifts, it creates an uneven ledge at the joint, while crumbling edges can leave loose debris on the path. Temporary patches set higher or lower than the old surface can create new tripping hazards. The wheels of folding carts and strollers can easily catch on these edges, throwing you off balance.
The same kind of edge can form where the parking lot meets the walkway. Residents cross that spot on every trip to and from their cars.
Where Does Rainwater Collect Along Walkways at Somerton’s Apartments?
Rainwater collects in the low spots where a walkway has sunk and along the edge of the parking lot, where the walkways begin. Runoff from the lot can flow toward that edge, and a sunken section can hold the water long after an autumn storm ends.
Stepping around a puddle can put your foot on a broken lot edge, creating another fall risk. If you walk straight through instead, your shoes can slide on the wet pavement.
Why Are Worn Outdoor Steps a Fall Hazard at Apartment Entries in Somerton?
Worn outdoor steps are dangerous because a chipped or rounded edge gives your foot less to land on. Uncovered steps get wet in every storm, and their front edges take the most wear.
Edges without painted or contrasting safety stripes can blend together at dusk, making each step hard to judge. If the walkway at the base has sunk, the bottom step can end up taller than the rest, throwing off your stride.
A fall on these steps can cause injuries that are serious enough to require a hospital stay.
How Often Are Philadelphia Residents Hospitalized After Falls?
In 2024, falls led to more hospital stays for Philadelphia residents than any other cause of injury. Pennsylvania Department of Health data shows falls caused 8,598 of 19,075 injury hospitalizations among Philadelphia County residents that year, about 45%. Residents 65 and older accounted for 5,535 of those fall hospitalizations, more than half of the total.
At a complex such as Somerton Court, older residents have no indoor route to the parking lot. Therefore, they face the same outdoor hazards as everyone else.
Can Somerton Tenants Still Receive Compensation After Falling on a Path They Use Every Day?
In many cases, yes. Insurers may argue that you knew about the cracked section or the puddle and should have avoided it.
Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule still allows you to receive compensation as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. However, the amount you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault. Photos showing there was no safer route available can help address the insurer’s arguments. Report your fall to the management office in writing, and collect the names of any witnesses.
What Records Help Prove a Hazard on Somerton, Philadelphia, Apartment Grounds?
The complex’s own records often matter most, because they can show when a hazard was reported and whether anyone fixed it. Work orders, repair requests, and earlier complaints from neighbors can all help.
Keep copies of any request you made before the fall, including emails and texts. A medical visit soon after the fall creates a record that can connect your injury to the damaged walkway or step. Photos taken the day you fell can capture the defect as it was, with a shoe or coin in the frame to show its size.
At Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer, our Somerton slip and fall attorneys act quickly to request the complex’s maintenance and inspection records.
Frequently Asked Questions About Falls at Apartment Complexes in Somerton, Philadelphia
- Who Is Responsible for Keeping Walkways Safe at a Somerton Apartment Complex?
The owner of the complex and, in some cases, the management company it hires. Under Pennsylvania premises liability law, a landlord that controls shared walkways and entry steps must keep them reasonably safe. That generally means repairing hazards the owner knew about or should have found through regular inspections.
- Should I Settle Quickly if the Apartment Owner’s Insurer Makes an Offer?
Usually not. An offer this early often covers only your first few medical bills. Accepting it typically requires signing a release, which closes your claim permanently. If an insurance adjuster asks for a recorded interview, you can direct them to your lawyer instead.
- How Long Does a Slip and Fall Claim Against an Apartment Complex Take?
It varies, but your medical recovery largely sets the pace, as it is difficult to determine the full value of a claim until your doctors know how well you will heal. Disputes between the property owner and management company over repair responsibilities can also add time, as can filing a formal lawsuit.
If You Slipped and Fell, Contact Our Somerton, Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt on a walkway, parking lot path, or outdoor step at a Somerton apartment complex, reach out to our Somerton, Philadelphia slip and fall accident lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer. We can look into the property’s upkeep and work to show who should have fixed the problem. Call 215-985-0138 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Located in Philadelphia, as well as Cherry Hill and Marlton, NJ, we assist clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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