Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of serious injuries across the country every year. According to the CDC, more than 800,000 individuals are hospitalized each year due to slip and fall injuries. In the cold winter months, the rate of slip and fall accidents increases as snow and ice accumulate on sidewalks, steps, and in parking lots. Residential and commercial property owners are responsible for keeping their property safe and reasonably clear of snow and ice. When property owners neglect this duty, visitors are at risk for serious slip and fall accidents and injuries.
Slip and fall accidents and injuries are usually the result of someone else’s negligence. If you sustain an injury on someone else’s property, regardless of whether it is someone you know or a retail business, you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim to receive compensation for the injuries and damages you sustained.
How Do Slip and Falls Happen in the Winter?
Unsuspecting pedestrians can slip and fall for a variety of reasons at any time of the year. Slip and fall accidents can happen in grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants, parking garages, apartment buildings, or on neighbors’ properties. The winter months put visitors at an increased risk.
Winter weather can create hazardous and slippery conditions caused by frozen or melted ice. Slip and falls often happen as the result of accumulated snow and ice on sidewalks and steps or puddles and spills on tile floors and stairs. The accumulation of snow, sleet, and ice in the winter can cause slip and falls anywhere, such as steps outside of a residence or a wet floor in a commercial space.
Every year in Pennsylvania, winter weather creates hazardous and slippery conditions for pedestrians. It is particularly dangerous if property owners fail to maintain necessary safeguards.
Improper drainage can also cause walkways to freeze over and pose hazards for visitors or tenants. Repetitive problems, such as drainage pipes that leak water onto sidewalks or other areas of the property, must be dealt within a reasonable amount of time by property owners or maintenance managers. If they fail to take action to fix the problem, they can be held liable for subsequent accidents and injuries.
What Are Common Slip and Fall Injuries?
There is a wide range of injuries that can result from a slip and fall accident. The most common injuries people sustain in slip and fall accidents include head injuries, broken bones, and fractures. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to dangerous slip and fall accidents that result in hip fractures and other debilitating injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) with life-changing consequences often happen when individuals slip and fall and hit their heads with force on a hard surface. Children are susceptible to slip and falls, as they are more likely to run and less likely to notice hazardous conditions.
Other common slip and fall injuries include:
It is imperative that you receive immediate medical attention if you experience a slip and fall accident, whether you think you are injured. Some injuries are not readily apparent but are extremely serious. You will also need documentation of your injuries and any medical treatment you received for future claims and legal proceedings.
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, take the right steps to protect your health and your legal rights.
First, seek medical attention immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some injuries may not be apparent right away but could worsen without proper care.
Document the scene of the accident by taking photos of the hazardous conditions that caused your fall, such as icy walkways, wet floors, or uneven surfaces. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the incident occur, as their statements can support your claim.
Finally, report the accident to the property owner or manager and keep a copy of the report for your records. Consulting an experienced premises liability lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Winter Safety Tips: How to Avoid a Slip and Fall
Winter months bring an increased risk of slip and fall accidents due to snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. To stay safe, always wear shoes with adequate traction to prevent slipping. Be cautious when walking on untreated sidewalks or parking lots, and watch for black ice, which can be nearly invisible.
Property owners should prioritize clearing snow and applying salt or sand to walkways to reduce hazards. Inside buildings, use caution on wet floors where melted snow and ice may accumulate.
Slip and fall accidents are more common during the winter, but taking proactive safety measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of an accident.
What Damages Are Possible in a Slip and Fall Claim?
If you were harmed as the result of a slip and fall, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the nature of the accident and the extent of your injuries. If the slip and fall accident resulted in the death of a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed seeking compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium or support.
Damages you may be able to recover for injuries due to a slip and fall include:
Although rare, injured parties may also recover punitive damages in addition to any compensatory awards. If a property owner acted willfully or recklessly in causing harm, a court may order them to pay punitive damages as punishment and a way to deter them and others from committing future acts of gross negligence.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Slip and Fall Case?
Property owners are required to take extra care to keep their property safe in the winter months. Despite this, countless preventable slip and fall accidents with devasting outcomes happen every year. Proving liability in winter weather-related premises liability cases can be tricky without proper legal guidance.
Pursuing a personal injury claim for a slip and fall accident requires proving fault, among other elements. A skilled attorney with experience in premises liability cases can help guide you through the process and build a strong case against the property owner.
A lawyer will discuss the details of your case, investigate your accident, and help you pursue all viable claims. In addition, your attorney can help gather evidence to establish exactly how the slip and fall occurred, including video footage, photos of the scene, inspection reports, and eyewitness statements.
Other ways in which a premises liability lawyer can help with your slip and fall case include:
Our Firm Can Help You with Your Premises Liability Case
Galfand Berger LLP has recovered millions for the hundreds of fall injury victims it has represented over its 78-year history.
Some of our past cases:
If you have been injured on someone else’s property because of a dangerous winter hazard, our Philadelphia premises liability lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP are here to answer your legal questions and review your case. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.