Slip and Fall Lawyers in Nova Scotia

You have options

Injured in a slip and fall? Here's what you need to know

A slip, trip, or fall can happen in an instant, on an icy sidewalk, a wet store floor, a poorly lit stairwell, or a broken step, and the injuries are often far from minor. A single fall can mean a broken wrist, a fractured hip, a back injury, or a concussion, followed by weeks off work and months of physiotherapy.

If you were hurt because a property was not kept reasonably safe, you may have the right to compensation. The central question is whether the person responsible for the property met the standard the law expects. Understanding how that standard works, and what evidence supports a claim, is where experienced legal guidance makes a difference.

This page explains who can be held responsible for a fall in Nova Scotia, what you need to prove, the deadlines that apply, and the steps that protect your claim.

Who is responsible

Nova Scotia's Occupiers' Liability Act

Nova Scotia's Occupiers' Liability Act sets the ground rules. An "occupier" is anyone who controls a property, such as a homeowner, a business, a landlord, or a property management company. Occupiers owe a duty to take reasonable care to keep people who come onto the property reasonably safe. That duty covers clearing snow, salting or sanding ice, cleaning up spills, repairing hazards, and providing adequate lighting within a reasonable time.

Depending on where you fell, responsibility may rest with different parties. A grocery store or shopping centre is responsible for its entrances, walkways, and parking lot. A landlord is generally responsible for the common areas of a rental building, including shared stairwells and exterior paths. A private homeowner is responsible for their own steps and walkway. When you fall on a public sidewalk or in a municipal park, a town or municipality may be the responsible party.

The standard is reasonableness, not perfection. An occupier is not automatically at fault every time someone falls. The question a court asks is whether the occupier did what a careful person in their position would have done, given the conditions, the time that had passed, and how obvious the hazard was.

What you need to prove

A successful claim generally shows three things: that the occupier owed you a duty of care, that they failed to meet the reasonable standard, and that this failure caused your injury. Evidence makes the difference. Photographs of the hazard, the lighting, and the absence of salt or sand can establish the danger. Weather records can show that icy conditions were foreseeable. A maintenance log, or the lack of one, can reveal whether anyone attended to the property.

Timing & responsibility

Deadlines and shared fault

Why timing matters

The general limitation period for most personal injury claims in Nova Scotia is two years from the date you discovered the injury, under the Limitation of Actions Act. Claims involving a municipality can carry much shorter notice deadlines. Because these clocks start quickly and some are easy to overlook, it is wise to speak with a lawyer soon after a fall.

What if I was partly at fault?

Nova Scotia recognizes contributory negligence. If you were wearing unsuitable footwear, looking at your phone, or ignoring an obvious and marked hazard, a court may reduce your compensation to reflect your share of the responsibility. This does not necessarily end your claim, but it can lower the amount you recover.

After a fall

Compensation and the steps that protect your claim

Depending on the severity of your injury, compensation can include reimbursement for medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income if you cannot work, out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of help around the home, and damages for pain and suffering. A person with a lasting injury may also recover for the effect on their future earning capacity and quality of life.

Every claim is different, and its value depends on the facts, the medical evidence, and how the injury affects your life over time. An early and honest assessment helps you understand what to expect.

Steps to take after a slip and fall

• Get medical attention, so your injury is documented and connected to the fall.
• Photograph the scene while it is fresh: the ice or hazard, the lighting, and the surrounding area.
• Report the fall to the property owner, store manager, or landlord and ask for a written incident report.
• Get witness details, including the names and contact information of anyone who saw what happened.
• Keep your footwear and any receipts or records related to your injury and expenses.
• Get legal advice early, especially if you fell on public or municipal property with shorter deadlines.