SLIP & FALL
Slip and Falls on Snow or Ice
During the winter, the weather causes dangerous conditions, such as icy and snowy sidewalks, stairways, and parking lots. These conditions increase the risk of slip and falls. Ice is especially dangerous because it is difficult to see when walking. These falls may result in substantial physical injuries, medical bills, and lost income. The experienced attorneys at Slatter Law Firm will aggressively fight to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Slip and falls are governed by the laws of negligence. The law requires property owners to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. Persons that possess or control the property, such as property managers, building managers, and landlords, are also responsible for property maintenance. These at-fault persons must conduct routine inspections, and repair or warn of any unsafe conditions. The law does not require these at-fault persons to remove snow or ice during especially bad weather. However, once that weather stops, they must remove the snow or ice on their property, by shoveling the snow or applying salt to icy walkways.
Sidewalks are typically owned by local municipalities. As such, these municipalities are generally responsible for sidewalk maintenance. However, snow and ice present an exception. Residential property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks in front of their properties when snow or ice are present.
However, the insurance’s defense attorneys may argue that your own negligence caused or contributed to your fall and injuries, and therefore, you should be partially or fully liable for your injuries and damages. For example, they may argue that you failed to wear appropriate shoes for snow or icy conditions. If you are injured in a fall due to these conditions, it is important that you save the shoes worn during your fall, and never wear them again. Those shoes may be needed to prove that they did not cause your fall and injuries.
Slip and falls on snow or ice often result in significant injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, and death. Victims of these slip and falls are entitled to compensations for their injuries. If you are injured in a slip and fall, you may recover compensation for the following:
- Medical bills;
- Future medical treatment;
- Loss of income;
- Loss of earning potential;
- Scars or disfigurement; and
- Pain and suffering.
Slip and falls may also result in the fatal loss of a loved one. In such tragic circumstances, the surviving heirs can file a wrongful death lawsuit. In a wrongful death case, the decedent’s surviving heirs include the decedent’s spouse, domestic partner, and children. The decedent’s parents and stepchildren may also file a wrongful death lawsuit if they can show that they were financially dependent on the decedent.
Statute of Limitations
Generally, lawsuits must be filed in Court within the applicable statute of limitations. Slip and fall cases must be filed within two years from the date of injury. If the plaintiff fails to file his or her lawsuit within such period of time, his or her case will be dismissed by the Court. As such, you should immediately contact a slip and fall attorney after your injury occurs.
Contact Us Today
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today if you or a loved one was involved in an accident involving a dangerous road condition. Slatter Law Firm has been helping individuals injured due to car accidents and slip and falls throughout Los Angeles and Southern California for over four decades. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (310) 405-0964 or contact us online.
