In the winter, it is not uncommon for individuals to slip on a patch of ice and go down hard. Many will get up, slightly embarrassed at their fall or frustrated at the ice patch, and go about their day. However, some individuals suffer injuries that require medical attention after slipping on ice.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five falls result in serious injury, such as a broken bone or brain injury. Not many people know that if you fall because of a patch of ice or snow on someone’s property, you may be able to file a premises liability suit against the owner. This can result in obtaining compensation for your missed time at work or medical bills.
Proving a slip and fall case.
At times it can be difficult to prove a slip-and-fall occurred, especially in the winter. It may be important to take pictures of the area that caused your slip and consequential fall. If the ice or snow melts, the property owner may say that there were never slippery conditions.
- The property owner knew (or should have known) that there were poor pavement conditions. For example, if there was snow or sleet right before your accident, a property owner should realize that there might be slippery pavement in need of attention.
- The property owner did nothing about them, resulting in the injury of an individual. For example, if there was no sand or salt to clear up the ice, or there was no maintenance done to clear up piling snow, they may be liable.
Slip-and-fall accidents can be a hassle to deal with at the least, but in serious situations slip-and-falls can send you to the hospital. In those cases, seeking compensation for your injuries may be a good option.
