What you’ll learn in this article:
- The importance of proving liability in a slip and fall case.
- Common slip and fall injuries.
- Steps to take after suffering a slip and fall injury.
- Compensation available for the victim of a slip and falls on ice.
Slipping and falling on ice can lead to serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, and back injuries. Icy conditions often arise in parking lots, on sidewalks, and in other areas that pedestrians need to traverse. When property owners fail to properly maintain these spaces and remove snow and ice, they can be held liable if someone gets hurt. This article provides key information you need to know about pursuing cases after slip and falls on ice.
Proving Liability in Slip and Fall Cases
To hold a property owner accountable and receive compensation for your damages, you must prove they were negligent.
Property owners are obligated to keep their property reasonably safe for those lawfully present. Clearing ice is part of this duty. Allowing icy conditions to persist without attempting to salt, shovel, or otherwise mitigate the hazard is a breach of the owner’s duty of care.
However, proving that the owner failed their duty is not enough to file a claim. You must show your actual fall was caused by the unsafe ice on their property.
Proper documentation and evidence gathering can help demonstrate each element.
The Dangers of Black Ice
One especially treacherous icy condition is black ice. This thin, transparent ice forms on paved surfaces and is nearly impossible to see. Areas prone to black ice include parking garages, shaded walkways, bridges, and sections of sidewalk under awnings or overhangs. Property owners must be even more vigilant about monitoring for and treating black ice since it is so difficult to detect.
If You Fall on Black Ice
After slipping on black ice, follow the same steps as you would after any fall injury. Get medical attention, report the incident, take photos, get witness info, and keep records.
Promptly contacting an experienced slip and fall injury lawyer can also help preserve evidence and build your claim.
Common Injuries After Slip and Falls on Ice
Icy slip and falls often lead to severe harm due to the lack of friction and the uncontrolled way victims fall. Common injuries include:
- Head trauma: Concussions or traumatic brain injuries from an impact to the skull.
- Broken bones: Fractures of the arm, wrist, leg, ankle, hip, tailbone, or spine.
- Back injuries: Herniated discs, muscle strains, sciatica, or pinched nerves.
- Joint dislocations: Knees, shoulders, and elbows are prone to dislocation if fallen on.
Seeking medical treatment creates a record of diagnosis and establishes the causal connection to the accident.
Can You Sue for Slipping on Ice? Pursuing Rightful Compensation
After proving a property owner’s negligence caused your slip and fall on ice, an attorney can seek compensation for associated losses. This may encompass:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
Your lawyer will thoroughly calculate past and future accident-related costs. Your potential settlement amount will vary based on the details of your accident, but for severe injuries, damages can exceed $1 million.
Trust Your Icy Slip and Fall Injury Case with McCoy & Sparks
Icy conditions present serious risks for pedestrians and property owners must work diligently to mitigate hazards. If you are injured in a slip and fall due to negligence, reach out to the experienced slip and fall injury attorneys at McCoy & Sparks. With our years of experience serving the residents of Kentucky, we will fight to get you the best possible outcome for your slip and fall on ice lawsuit.
Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms, McCoy & Sparks represents thousands of clients in Central Kentucky. You owe us nothing unless we win your case. Contact us or call us at (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our slip and fall injury attorneys today.