Who Can You Sue for Snow and Ice Fall Injuries?

 Posted on December 24, 2018 in Personal Injury

As winter approaches, and the precipitation changes from liquid to frozen with the dropping temperatures, the risk of falling and sustaining an injury greatly increases. The seasonal dangers caused by the presence of ice and snow are well known to those who live in northern climates, but this fact does not mean all snow and ice-related injuries are mere accidents with no responsible party to place blame. The injuries resulting from these falls can be significant, some requiring surgery, and a personal injury attorney should be contacted if a fall that requires medical treatment occurs. Property owners do have an obligation to keep the premises safe for others, but the law on recovery for injuries related to snow and ice falls in Illinois is complex, and blocks many cases from proceeding.

An example of how serious these falls can be is illustrated in the case of a Greenwich, Connecticut, woman who sustained permanent injuries, including memory loss and a concussion, after falling on snow and ice in the town square. This type of dangerous accumulation is seen in numerous places over the course of a winter season, and understanding what property owners are generally obligated to do to protect third parties on the premises, as well as how courts view liability for falls from snow and ice, is essential information for slip and fall victims.

Duty of Property Owners Generally

Visitors and guests on another person’s or entity’s property are expected to be kept free from foreseeable danger and unreasonable harm. The person or business in actual possession and control of the premises is obligated under the law to exercise reasonable care to maintain the property in a safe condition or face liability if that duty is breached and someone is injured.

This means taking steps to identify and repair dangerous conditions, and warning guests and visitors about known dangers they would not otherwise be able to detect on their own. Clearing snow and ice from walkways and other areas that people are expected to walk over would be part of this duty, and if an injury happened because an area was inadequately cleared, the owner/business operator may be liable for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Special Rules for Falls from Snow and Ice

Illinois has specific rules that govern a property owner’s liability for an injury related to a fall on snow or ice. In order to encourage people to clear their sidewalks and other walkways, a law was passed that protects property owners from liability for these injuries if the accumulation was due to natural conditions. In other words, if the forces of nature, i.e., wind and precipitation, caused snow and ice to form in a particular place, failure to sufficiently clear it for the safe passage of others is not a negligent act someone could use to sue for compensation.

Additional examples of conditions considered to be natural accumulation include snow and ice tamped down by human foot traffic or cars and snow tracked into buildings that later forms puddles when it melts. Instead, Illinois follows the unnatural accumulation rule, meaning unless another condition on the property caused the snow and ice to form, such as clogged storm drains or leaking water pipes, the property owner has no liability for a fall. Note that exceptions exist to the rule against liability apply if the lease requires the landlord or property management company to clear the snow and ice.

These cases are complicated to assess and investigate, and working with an experienced personal injury attorney is essential to building a strong case that is capable of winning compensation.

Contact Us Today for Help

Being injured in a fall is a scary and helpless situation. Do not allow a negligent party to escape responsibility, and talk to a personal injury attorney about asserting your rights. The dedicated DuPage County personal injury attorneys at the Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices understand the pain you are experiencing and will fight to get you the money you deserve. Contact the office at 630-932-9100 for a free consultation.