Slip and Fall Cases on Snow and Ice

Winters in Binghamton and throughout Upstate New York are notoriously cold and snowy. Snow and ice can cause people to slip on icy pavement and suffer serious injuries as a result of dangerous conditions in parking lots, sidewalks, stairs and other walkways.

When a fall occurs because of snow and ice, it is important to understand your rights. You may be able to hold a negligent property owner or other responsible party accountable for a fall on slick pavement. A Binghamton slip and fall lawyer can help you to make your claim.

Call Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, now for a free evaluation of your fall case and to get answers to important questions related to your case, such as:

• When can I recover compensation for a fall on icy pavement?
• What do I need to prove to make a slip-and-fall claim based on snow or ice?
• How can a New York injury lawyer help after a fall on slippery pavement?

Compensation for Falls on Icy Pavement in New York

Ice and snow on the ground are a natural and inevitable part of winter in New York. This means that there is a real danger of slipping and falling, particularly if property owners fail to clear walkways.

In some situations, a property owner may be responsible for causing a slip on icy pavement. For example, if a property owner clears snow in such a way that a large patch of ice is created in a parking lot where people walk or he directs the drainage across the walking area, these could be examples of situations in which the dangerous conditions were a result of actions taken by a person who may be held liable.

Property owners may also be held responsible for failures to act. For example, if a property owner is aware that there is a dangerous patch of ice on the front steps and the owner doesn’t warn you or put down salt to fix the problem in a reasonable time, this is also a situation in which you may have a claim for compensation for your fall injuries.

Failure to remove ice and snow from sidewalks, parking lots, steps and other walkways is one of the most common reasons for slip-and-fall claims in New York. Ice and snow can also create a fall hazard when it is tracked inside and makes floors slick.

Making a Claim for Injuries in a New York Winter Fall

To make a claim after a fall due to snow and ice in New York, you need to show that:

• The property owner had a duty to protect you from the winter hazard. Property owners have a duty to protect customers, social visitors and even trespassers, although their specific obligations vary based on the relationship with those coming onto the property.
• The property owner failed to live up to the obligation. If a reasonable individual, company or entity would not have created or allowed the dangerous condition, then the responsible party who let the danger linger can be held liable for the injuries that result from this negligence.
• You suffered harm as a direct result of the responsible party’s negligence. You must be able to prove that the fall – and your injuries – would not have happened if the responsible party had been more careful.

Cases based on winter weather-related falls are complicated. To get help building a strong case and making a compelling claim that shows the owner should be held liable, talk to Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, now.

A Lawyer Can Help After you Slip & Fall on Snow

If you have fallen on icy, snowy or otherwise slippery pavement and suffered serious injuries, an experienced accident lawyer can help you to:

• Determine if the property owner’s negligence was a causal factor of your injuries.
• Pursue a claim for personal injury against a property owner or other responsible party who negligently contributed to your fall.
• Negotiate with the defendant’s homeowner’s insurer or other insurance company to resolve claims out of court.
• Pursue your case in court if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer.

Cases involving falls on snow and ice can be legally complex, but they can also provide necessary monetary relief for victims who suffered a preventable personal injury on someone else’s property. Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, can help you get the results you deserve.

Call our 24-hour answering service or contact us via our online contact form now for a free case review.