Injury Liability For Slip And Fall Accidents On Icy Surfaces

With the winter months settling in the cold weather follows. This means a drop in temperature, especially over night, as well as snow, sleet, or even hail. These cold weather conditions can leave many aspects of your life a bit more difficult to deal with.
Things like walking to the store on a sidewalk or across a public parking lot can result in an injury should you slip and fall on ice that has not been dealt with. If you slipped and fell on ice in a public parking lot or on a sidewalk outside of a business and suffered an injury you might have an injury liability lawsuit on your hands.
Some of the more common injuries that stem from slipping and falling on ice are concussions, broken or fractured bones, torn ligaments and/or muscles, closed head injuries or a strain to the back. But when it comes to injury liability cases, proving you suffered an injury is only part of what is required.
Keep in mind there are two major factors in determining liability in slip and fall accidents. First, the establishment has a duty to maintain a safe environment for its patrons and should take the necessary steps to do so in inclement weather. This can mean going out and cleaning the parking lot or sidewalks or contracting out the job to a company.
Either way, both ways require proper care and attention to make sure the surfaces are safe for walking.
On the other hand, you have an extent of responsibility to exercise reasonable care when walking in an area you know or expect to be icy. Your own negligence in the incident can reduce or bar any recovery in a potential lawsuit.
That being said, it is important to document anything and everything that happened with your slip and fall accident. This includes taking photos of the area where you slipped and fell while the conditions are still the same.
From there, your next step would be to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Slip and fall accidents can prove to be tricky, but the New Jersey attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A. are well versed on the subject. They can help you navigate the legal side of matters while you concentrate on recovery. Call 732-564-7165 or fill out our online contact form to begin your initial consultation today.
 
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.