Ice and snow on pavements, walkways, and parking lots can result in severe slip and fall accidents. Individuals should be cautious when walking on slippery floors, but some accidents happen due to the negligence of property owners. For such incidents, your slip and fall lawyer can help you recoup medical bills, lost income, and other damages caused by the accident. Here’s what you need to know about slip and fall accidents on snow and ice:
The Property Owner’s Responsibility
A slip and fall accident lawsuit occurs when you slip, trip, or fall on someone else’s property and suffer an injury. Such accidents can happen due to many reasons, from bad lighting to cluttered walkways and loose cables and cords. Damaged handrails and loose flooring can also cause slip and fall accidents, and the likelihood of a severe injury is higher if the surface has ice or snow.
Property owners, including homeowners, businesses, and municipalities, are required to maintain their sidewalks, walkways, and parking lots. Maintenance includes fixing loose floors and potholes, providing sufficient lighting, and clearing debris, snow, and ice. Many states require property owners to clear snow or ice within a specific time frame after snowfall.
The Role of Negligence in Lawsuits
If you’re injured due to a slip and fall accident, you can work with a lawyer to file a lawsuit against the property owner. Your slip and fall lawyer must prove the property owner’s negligence directly resulted in the accident. Negligence occurs when the property owner fails to clear the snow or ice within a reasonable timeframe.
If the owner can’t remove the snow and ice quickly, they must provide a warning sign to inform you of the potential hazard. The same is required for other hazards, such as wet floors, loose tiles, and debris. Some regions have comparative negligence, which evaluates your actions and how they contributed to the accident. The negligent party usually pays for the bodily injuries and other damages.
The Evidence and Claim Filing
Keep all documents related to your accident, including pictures of the scene showing the snow and ice conditions. Filing a claim also requires evidence of your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. Immediately after the incident, report the matter to the property owner or manager and seek medical attention.
Call a lawyer to handle the case building and filing. States usually have time limits or statutes of limitation for filing personal injury claims. Your lawyer can gather the necessary documents and speak to eyewitnesses. The lawyer is also able to converse with medical experts to get a prognosis of your injuries and recovery. Strong evidence showing negligence and damages suffered is what helps you get compensation.
The Steps To Obtain Compensation
If someone else is responsible for your slip and fall accident, you can claim compensation for various damages that result from the incident. Slip and fall lawsuits usually claim medical bills, including long-term care required for your recovery. The lawsuit also claims lost wages for the days you don’t work due to the injury.
Other claims include pain and suffering, damaged property, such as a smartphone or jewelry, and loss of consortium. The owner’s liability insurance can cover the claim. Insurance companies also investigate if the property owner took reasonable steps to prevent the injury, so claims may take longer to settle. Your lawyer provides legal counsel and keeps you updated throughout the process.
Speak to an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slipping and falling on ice or snow can cause serious bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Injuries usually require immediate and sometimes long-term care. If you’re injured on someone else’s property, you can speak to an attorney to explore your legal options. Speak to an experienced slip and fall lawyer today to start building your case.
