Who is Responsible for Injuries Caused by Slips and Falls on Snow and Ice?
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain their property, including in the event of adverse weather conditions like snow and ice. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries caused by their lack of maintenance.
Slip-and-fall accidents can cause financial distress from medical bills and lost wages from time missed at work. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, call the Virginia slip-and-fall accident lawyers of Whitestone Young, PC today at 703-591-0200 for a free initial consultation.
Common Causes of Winter Weather Slips and Falls
Winter weather can bring snow and ice with it, which can be exacerbated by shorter days and poor visibility. Snow and ice are slippery, which can lead to trips and falls, particularly when people are:
- Walking too fast or with too long a stride
- Using cell phones or other distracting electronic devices
- Walking off the designated path
- Not wearing proper footwear
- Failing to maintain the premises after a snow or ice storm
- Applying insufficient sand/salt spread on the ice
Preventing slip-and-fall accidents can be the responsibility of both individuals visiting premises and the premises owner. However, if the slip-and-fall occurred because the property’s owner or manager failed to maintain adequate conditions—such as be de-icing steps or clearing walkways of snow—the victim might be able to file a premises liability claim against them to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and more.
Injuries Suffered in Slips and Falls
Slip-and-falls have the potential to result in severe injuries, particularly when they take place from a height or over a hard surface. Some of the most common slip-and-fall injuries include:
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Shoulder and Neck Injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Knee Injuries, such as torn ligaments
- Broken Bones
- Cuts and Abrasions
- Sprains and Strains
Whether you suffered one of the above injuries or another injury altogether as the result of a slip and fall on someone else’s property, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Slip-and-fall accidents may be caused by a property owner’s negligence, but going through the claims process can often be complex and frustrating without experienced legal guidance.
Who is Responsible, and Can I Get Compensation?
Whether you have a case following a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property depends on certain circumstances. In Virginia, there are three types of visitors: invitees to the property through the expressed or implied invitation of the owner, individuals on the property with permission for their own benefit, and trespassers, who do not have permission to be on the premises. Those who are expressly invited to the property have the highest duty of care, while those who do not have permission to be on the property are not owed care from the property owner.
If a slip-and-fall accident is caused by a dangerous condition on the property, you may be able to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and permanent or temporary disability, among other losses. However, you will need to prove that the property owner’s negligent actions led to your injury. In other words, you will have to prove that you were on the property with permission, and that you are not responsible for your own injuries.
How Whitestone Young Could Help You
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Virginia caused by icy or snowy conditions, you may be entitled to financial compensation. However, slip and falls can be complex cases for a number of reasons, and getting the compensation you deserve may be difficult without the help of a personal injury attorney.
You should never go through the claims process alone. You need experienced legal counsel on your side. Call the Virginia slip-and-fall attorneys of Whitestone Young, PC today at 703-591-0200 for a free initial consultation.
