Connecticut Trip and Fall Attorneys
Trip and Fall Accident Lawyer in Connecticut
Cracked pavement, a loose floor tile, or a cord left across a walkway can put someone on the ground in an instant. Moore, O’Brien & Foti holds property owners accountable when a tripping hazard they should have fixed causes real injury.
Tripping Hazards Are Their Own Kind of Danger
Trip and fall accidents happen because of hazards like uneven surfaces, cluttered walkways, or unexpected obstacles — a raised sidewalk slab, a torn carpet edge, a stray extension cord. These accidents can cause severe injuries, including broken bones, sprains, and head trauma. Property owners in Connecticut are required by law to keep their premises free of these dangers, and when they fail to and someone gets hurt, they can be held liable.
To succeed in a trip and fall claim, you have to prove the property owner was negligent in maintaining the premises — that they knew or should have known about the hazard and didn't take reasonable steps to fix it. Our attorneys investigate thoroughly, gathering photographs, maintenance records, and eyewitness accounts to establish exactly that.
We understand the real impact a trip and fall accident can have on your life, from costly medical treatment to time away from work. We're committed to aggressive representation so you receive full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
What Connecticut Law Requires You to Prove
The Standard
Actual or Constructive Notice
You must show the property owner knew about the tripping hazard, or should have discovered it through reasonable inspection, and failed to repair it or warn visitors.
If It Happened on a Sidewalk
90 Days to Notify the Town
Cracked or heaved sidewalk slabs are a classic tripping hazard, and if a municipality is responsible, CGS § 13a-149 requires written notice within just 90 days — a strict deadline with no exceptions.
Otherwise
2-Year Statute of Limitations
For claims against a private property owner, you generally have two years from the date you discover your injury under CGS § 52-584, but never more than three years from the fall itself.
Talk to a Connecticut Trip and Fall Lawyer
Call (203) 586-0022 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. If your fall happened on a public sidewalk, the 90-day notice deadline makes it especially important to reach out right away. Moore, O’Brien & Foti is based in Middlebury and represents clients throughout Connecticut on a contingency basis — there's no fee unless we win.
Common Questions About Trip and Fall Claims
What's the difference between a trip and fall and a slip and fall claim?
The legal standard is the same — you must prove the property owner had notice of a hazard and failed to address it. The difference is the type of hazard: a trip and fall usually involves an obstacle or uneven surface, while a slip and fall usually involves a slippery substance like water or ice.
What counts as a tripping hazard?
Common examples include heaved or cracked pavement, torn carpeting, loose floor tiles, cords or cables left across a walkway, and unmarked steps or curbs.
I tripped on a cracked sidewalk. What should I do?
If a municipality is responsible for the sidewalk, CGS § 13a-149 requires written notice of the injury within 90 days — a strict deadline that doesn't allow for exceptions. Photograph the hazard if you can, and speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What evidence helps prove a trip and fall case?
Photographs of the hazard, maintenance records showing whether it was reported or repaired, and eyewitness accounts can all help establish that the property owner knew or should have known about the danger.