Winter weather conditions – often resulting in slick and icy surfaces – are a common cause for slip and fall accidents and unfortunately, thousands of people are hurt in falls on slippery surfaces every year resulting in severe injuries and death.
Businesses and homeowners are responsible for keeping their properties safe, which includes addressing hazards that could potentially result in slip and fall accidents or other injuries. Accumulated ice and snow on sidewalks, stairs and outer entryways are dangerous, as are floors immediately inside of a building when workers or visitors to a business or invitees to a residence track in snow and slush. It is incumbent on a business or home owner to clear sidewalks of snow and ice, clean wet surfaces inside entryways and, if necessary, post signs alerting others to slippery conditions to prevent falls.
If an invitee (such as a shopper or delivery person) is injured at a commercial establishment such as a retail store or hotel OR a licensee (someone visiting a residential property as a guest) is injured due to negligence, they may be able to seek compensation for their injuries, including a wrongful death claim.
A premises liability personal injury claim involving a slip and fall involving icy or slick conditions must prove that a property owner knew or should have known of the unsafe conditions; that an owner neglected to take responsible actions to remove or mitigate the problem; and that the owner’s negligence directly caused someone’s real and verifiable injuries. The standard of care is often determined by what a reasonable property owner would take under the same conditions.
When you or a family member is injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to damages to include the payment of medical bills, out of pocket medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you maximize compensation for your injuries, gathering evidence such as photographs and witness testimony, as well as medical bills and treatment records to corroborate your claim.
Slips and falls on ice during the winter season can lead to injuries ranging from minor abrasions to more serious injuries such as broken bones or traumatic brain injuries. It is important to seek help if you are seriously injured in a fall due to negligence. Contact the Quad Cities personal injury attorneys of McDonald & Woodward PC for immediate assistance at 563-355-6478.