Slip and Fall on Ice? Here’s What You Can Do

Slip and Fall on Ice? Here’s What You Can Do

As the winter season is in full swing, snow and ice accumulations are to be expected. When snow and ice buildup is significant, it could lead to slip-and-fall accidents. If you slip and fall on ice, you may sustain an injury. With this, it’s common to wonder whether you are eligible for financial compensation after your injury. The possibility for financial relief is often dependent on if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. A personal injury attorney can analyze your situation and help determine whether you have a potentially arguable case for compensation. 

First Steps After a Slip and Fall Injury

After you slip and fall on ice, there are some key steps you should take. First, if you can get up and survey the scene, take pictures and videos of your surroundings. Communicate with witnesses and obtain their contact information, as their statements may be helpful in an insurance claim. Also, be sure to report this incident to the home or business owner so they can handle their side of the situation. Finally, it’s essential to seek immediate medical care. If you are injured and delay care, you could potentially risk financial compensation. After these steps, discuss your case with an experienced premises liability attorney who may help you identify if you have a possible case on your hands.

Snow Removal Laws in Illinois

The laws for snow removal vary significantly from state to state. In Illinois, it’s important to recognize that there are no direct laws that make a person responsible for shoveling snow or removing ice from their property. This means that if there is snowfall or ice accumulation naturally on the sidewalk of a property, the owner is not required by law to shovel or put salt down. While this can make for a slippery situation, it often does not put owners or renters at risk of a lawsuit. 

Unnatural Ice Accumulations

Though it is not mandatory for snow and ice to be taken care of, if there is clear negligence in the situation, the property owner may still be held liable. Negligence is the act of failing to take proper or reasonable care in a situation that leads to the personal injury of another. In other words, if the snow or ice deposits are a result of unnatural accumulations, the property owner may be held liable. Examples of negligence included extended periods of time without sidewalk maintenance, poorly designed gutters that caused water accumulation and subsequent freezing, and the piling of snow in an unsafe location. For help determining whether there was negligence in your slip and fall case, talk to an experienced attorney. 

Hire a Property Liability Attorney

If you’ve been the victim of a slip and fall injury in Illinois, you may be eligible for financial relief if the property owner can be deemed negligent. Because the process of determining fault is complex, it could benefit you to work with an experienced attorney. The property liability attorneys at SAM LAW OFFICE LLC can help you through your case and determine if your claim is substantial. For a free consultation with our knowledgeable lawyers, contact us today.