Are you considering starting a claim after slipping on ice on someone's property? This blog explains if you can sue a homeowner or business in this case.
Each year, thousands of Canadians sustain injuries as a result of slipping on ice. These injuries range from minor sprains to major fractures and even serious head trauma can occur. Many of these injuries are preventable if appropriate steps such as shovelling or salting were undertaken by homeowners or businesses. They can be held culpable if they were aware of an ice or snow hazard and didn’t take necessary measures to address it.
A slip and fall injury can be impactful and long-lasting. So, if you slip on a sidewalk or when you're walking into or out of an office building, who's responsible?
What happens if your injury requires medical attention or even long-term treatment? Read on to learn more about a personal injury claim when you've had a slip and fall accident.
Premises Liability
As a homeowner or a business manager, they have an obligation to keep public areas safe for people who enter. The owners of the property have to address known hazards, hidden and potential hazards, and warn people in their premises.
When it comes to snow and ice, there is an obligation to clear it away in a reasonable amount of time. Certainly, weather conditions can change quickly making water freeze to ice; however, the person responsible for the premises has to be aware and make an effort to address potential dangers, or face issues connected to liability.
Slip and Fall at Work
If you slip on ice while you are performing your duties at work, the process you take for compensation is different than if you weren’t working. Employers need to have workers' compensation insurance to protect workers from dangers. You wouldn’t normally seek a personal injury lawyer to file a personal injury claim if you slip on ice while working. Instead, you would file a worker’s compensation claim.
The compensation you would seek for medical treatment and lost wages, for example, would be paid through workers' compensation.
Slip and Fall When Not at Work
Slipping on ice when you're not at work is a different case. There is premises liability that the area should be safe and free from hazards that might make you slip or fall.
If you do slip or fall, it's important to document the conditions immediately, because in Prince George and Northern BC, weather conditions can change rapidly. To have a stronger personal injury case as a result of your fall, you want to be able to show how the conditions were not safe for you.
If you're injured, you want to seek medical help immediately so you can connect the fall to the injury.
You also want to connect with an experienced personal injury lawyer right away. You will have a difficult time navigating insurance companies without the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.
Slipping on Ice, Who's Responsible?
Slipping on the ice can leave you with a potential long-term injury. This can mean necessary medical treatment, loss of work, and even long-term care. The costs can add up quickly.
If you need help because you have fallen on ice, we have experience with personal injury cases. Contact us today to set up a time to discuss your case.