Toledo Slip and Fall Lawyer

Gervelis Law Firm has established a strong reputation throughout Ohio for its extensive experience in personal injury cases and for achieving successful outcomes for slip and fall accident victims in Toledo. With a client-first approach and decades of combined legal knowledge, Gervelis Law is a trusted advocate for victims of slip and fall accidents navigating complex liability claims.

A single misstep at a grocery store, restaurant, or apartment complex can result in significant injuries, substantial medical expenses, and time away from work. For many Toledo residents, recovery involves more than just physical healing—it’s about regaining financial stability.

At Gervelis Law Firm, our team understands how overwhelming these moments can be. As an Ohio-based firm with deep local roots, we’ve helped countless people throughout Toledo and Lucas County rebuild their lives after preventable falls. Our lawyers focus on proving fault, pursuing fair compensation, and holding negligent property owners accountable.

Gervelis Law Firm Here For You
When You Need
Us Most.

schedule consultation

What Is a Slip and Fall?

A slip and fall, or trip and fall, occurs when unsafe conditions on another person’s property cause someone to fall and suffer injuries. These accidents can happen nearly anywhere—on slick grocery store floors, uneven sidewalks, icy parking lots, cluttered hallways, or poorly lit stairwells.

Ohio law treats slip and fall accidents as premises liability cases, meaning the property owner or manager may be legally responsible if they failed to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition.

Just because someone falls doesn’t mean the property owner is automatically liable. To prove a case, you must establish that negligence caused the accident. That’s where having an experienced Toledo slip and fall lawyer becomes essential.

David Michael Tschantz, Esq.

Attorney

Mark S. Gervelis, Esq.

Founding Attorney

Stephanie M. Mehle, Esq.

Attorney

What You Should Do Immediately After Your Slip & Fall in Toledo

If a slip and fall happens, taking the following steps can make a significant difference in your claim:

1. Seek immediate medical attention, even if the injury seems minor. Some conditions, such as concussions or soft-tissue injuries, worsen with time.
2. Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or supervisor. Request an official accident report and retain a copy.
3. Document the scene with photographs of the hazard, lighting, weather conditions, and visible injuries.
4. Collect witness information—names, phone numbers, and any statements about what they saw.
5. Preserve evidence such as damaged clothing or shoes.
6. Avoid making recorded statements or accepting early settlement offers before speaking with an attorney.

Contacting Gervelis Law Firm soon after the incident allows our team to investigate quickly, gather critical evidence, and protect your rights before memories fade or video footage is erased.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall in Ohio?

Under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, individuals harmed in a slip and fall accident have two years from the incident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this window can permanently bar recovery.

Starting early gives your lawyer time to build a strong claim, track down witnesses, and handle insurance communications while you focus on recovery. The attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm emphasize the importance of an early consultation to ensure that every legal deadline is met without delay.

How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident

Ohio law centers slip and fall claims on four core elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages—elements which shape every case and guide how evidence is gathered and presented.

• Duty of Care: Property owners and managers must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. The scope of that duty varies depending on the visitor’s status, but the expectation remains that hazards are addressed in a timely and responsible manner.
• Breach of Duty: A breach occurs when an owner fails to act with reasonable care. Potential breaches include unattended spills, loose flooring, missing handrails, or a lack of a sign warning of a hazard.
• Causation: There must be a clear link between the unsafe condition and the injury. Photos, surveillance footage, incident reports, and witness statements often help establish how the hazard caused the fall.
• Damages: Injured individuals must suffer compensable damages like medical bills, rehabilitation, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Ohio has a modified comparative negligence law that applies to slip and fall cases. Accident victims can recover damages as long as they are less than 51% to blame for the accident. However, their compensation is reduced in proportion to their share of the fault. For example, if a slip and fall victim is 10 percent responsible for an accident, they can recover 90% of their damages.

The “open and obvious” doctrine also applies to slip and fall cases. This rule prohibits recovery when a hazard was plainly visible and could have been avoided. Thus, a thorough investigation that includes maintenance logs, site inspections, available footage, and witness accounts is often necessary to counter this defense.

This combined framework outlines what must be proven, how evidence supports each element, and how specific Ohio doctrines influence the outcome. Our attorneys can evaluate whether this defense might apply to your case and develop a strategy to overcome it.

What Type of Compensation Can I Recover?

Ohio slip and fall accident victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover losses such as the following:

• Medical bills and ongoing treatment costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Physical therapy or mobility aids

Non-economic damages include compensation for the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement or disability

Comparative negligence can affect the total compensation, but even partial recovery can make a meaningful difference for families facing medical debt and time away from work.

Gervelis Law Firm also represents families in wrongful death cases involving fatal slip and fall incidents. We handle every case with compassion, precision, and a commitment to justice.

Video Transcript

So, in a personal injury lawsuit, the value of your case is based on your injuries, your treatment, and your medical expenses. It really depends on how long it takes for you to feel better and what kind of treatment you need for your injuries in order to determine the value of your case. There are caps on damages, but usually, we just focus on the policy limits. What we’re working with is what the other driver is insured for, and then any additional insurance that we can find, too, whether that’s your own policy or a household policy. It’s a way to get more settlement money.

How the Gervelis Law Firm Helps Toledo Slip and Fall Victims

Across Lucas, Wood, and Ottawa counties, Gervelis Law Firm has represented individuals hurt in supermarkets, apartment complexes, and public spaces throughout the greater Toledo region. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges of local premises liability cases, especially those involving big retail chains or municipal property owners.

By acting quickly, our team helps preserve critical evidence, such as security camera footage or cleaning logs, before they’re deleted. We also handle communications with insurance companies that may try to shift blame or minimize payouts.

Clients never pay upfront fees. Gervelis Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we secure a recovery for you.

Our attorneys, including Mark S. Gervelis, David Michael Tschantz, and Stephanie M. Mehle, bring years of trial experience and community involvement to every case they handle.

Through dedication and results, our firm has earned praise from past clients in Reviews and client stories. We have also gained recognition for our case results across Ohio.

Video Transcript

So, clients should choose Gervelis Law Firm because we offer compassionate representation, and our biggest goals are to give honest advice and make sure that we achieve a fair settlement for our clients. I was raised with compassion, honesty, and fairness growing up, and it’s something that I incorporate into my practice every day. I want to make sure that I have a personal relationship with all of my clients—from the smallest case, where the client’s done treating in a matter of weeks, to cases where we work with them for years and go through the litigation process too. It’s very important for us to be advocates and counselors
for our clients and have that relationship where you can call us anytime, and we can walk you through the process to make you feel confident that you understand what’s going on at all times.

Slip and Fall Accident FAQs

Can I Sue the City or County if I Fell on Public Property?

In Ohio, you may pursue a claim against a city or county if its negligence caused unsafe conditions on public property. However, these cases often involve special notice and filing requirements. A Toledo slip and fall lawyer familiar with local rules can guide you through the process.

How Long Do Slip and Fall Cases Take in Ohio?

Every case is different. Some resolve within a few months, while others may take a year or more, particularly if litigation is required. Factors affecting the timeframe include the extent of injuries, the insurer’s cooperation, whether fault is contested, and the complexity of the case.

Who Pays My Medical Bills While My Case Is Pending?

Initially, your health insurance or medical payments coverage may handle the bills. Once your claim resolves, the at-fault party’s insurance is typically responsible for reimbursing those costs.

Contact Gervelis Law Firm Today

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Toledo slip and fall accident, you don’t have to face the recovery process alone. Contact Gervelis Law Firm today at 330-533-6565 for a free consultation.

Our attorneys combine compassion with practical experience, giving every client the focused attention they deserve and the determined representation their case demands.