New York residents frequently slip and fall on ice during the winter months. Falling on ice can cause serious, life-altering personal injuries. New York property owners have a legal duty to keep their icy premises reasonably safe. The property owners of icy sidewalks, streets, and parking lots might be liable for slip and fall accidents that occur on their property. In some instances, New York homeowners may be responsible for falls on ice that happen at their homes. Falling on ice can have serious consequences, including fractured bones, lacerations, bruises, nerve damage, and, in some cases, death.
If you or a loved one have fallen on ice in New York, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Michael LoGiudice, LLP, is an aggressive lawyer for those seriously injured by falling on ice. He routinely represents personal injury victims who’ve suffered injuries from slipping and falling on ice. Attorney Michael LoGiudice has the experience and skill to aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to obtain the most substantial settlement amount possible. At trial, he fights hard to recover compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical costs, and all other expenses.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries Caused by Ice
Winter weather brings ice, snow, and freezing temperatures to New York. With an increase in ice and snow comes an increase in slip and fall injuries. The older a person becomes, the more likely he or she is to experience severe injuries caused by falling on ice. The following are common injuries that happen after falling on icy roads or sidewalks in New York:
- Sprained or broken wrists or ankles
- Knee damage
- Broken bones
- Fractured or dislocated hips
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
- Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
- Traumatic brain injury
Falling on ice is particularly dangerous because the ice makes it challenging to regain a person’s balance after the fall. Sometimes, an individual will fall on ice and injure one part of his or her body, then fall again and suffer a second injury while trying to stand up and get help. The ice itself can cause cuts and lacerations, especially if the ice is jagged or broken.
Further, the slipperiness of the ice can make it difficult for an individual to protect his or her head during the fall. Ice slips often happen too quickly and unexpectedly that the injured party cannot regain balance in time to stop the fall. In a severe slip and fall on ice, the injured parties’ head might slam against the hard ice, causing a brain hemorrhage or traumatic brain injury. Living with a traumatic brain injury is expensive and usually requires extensive medical appointments, physical therapy, and possibly in-home care.
Who is Liable for Injuries Caused by a Slip and Fall with Ice?
Under New York law, individuals or businesses that own, lease, occupy, or control property have a legal duty to maintain that property. When a property manager or owner does not keep their property reasonably safe, they may be liable for injuries caused by dangerous conditions on their property. The following types of property owners may be liable for slip and fall accidents that occur on their property:
- Homeowners
- Restaurant owners
- Shopping mall owners
- Office building owners
- The City of New York
- Other New York government agencies
Property Owners Have a Duty to Keep Their Premises Safe
When a property owner knows that their property becomes icy, they have a duty to remove the ice and snow within a reasonable time. In New York, business owners should know that dangerous winter storms cause potentially dangerous icy conditions. Many times, property owners have actual knowledge that parts of their property are dangerously icy and fail to take any action to prevent dangerous conditions. Additionally, while attempting to remove snow or ice, the owners may be liable if they make the dangerous conditions worse.
For example, if a business owner shovels the snow in the parking lot into a large pile in the corner of the parking lot, the heap might melt and freeze at night. The melted and refrozen snow could cause black ice to form in part of the parking lot. Should a customer become injured in a slip and fall accident on black ice, he or she would likely have a claim for compensation against the negligent owner of the parking lot.
Recovering Compensation After Falling on Ice
Those injured by slipping and falling on ice or snow must prove several elements at court to win and obtain compensation. First, the injured party must prove that the property owner should have known, or did know, about the dangerous condition. The injured party must prove, for example, that a restaurant knew that their entryway regularly becomes icy and hazardous during the winter months.
The plaintiff must also prove that the property owner failed to correct the icy conditions promptly. If a store owner knows about an icy parking lot outside of the store and fails to de-ice it or warn customers before the store opens for business again, the property owner may be liable for accidents that occur on that property.
Finally, the plaintiff needs to prove that he or she received a physical injury caused by the dangerous icy conditions. At Michael LoGiudice, LLP, we make sure that our clients receive a comprehensive medical evaluation to prove the extent of injuries caused by falling on ice. Sometimes, the extent of our client’s injuries does not become apparent until hours or days after the slip and fall accident. Back and neck injuries can begin to hurt after the adrenaline of the accident wears off.
Our Slip and Fall Lawyers Can Help with Injuries from Ice
If you’ve suffered an injury after falling on ice, taking quick action is essential. Succeeding in court often comes down to presenting the best possible evidence. At Michael LoGiudice, LLP, we thoroughly investigate our client’s slip and fall claims. We gather vital evidence before the property owner has a chance to fix the icy conditions and claim that the icy sidewalk did not exist. Contact our personal injury law office today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you fight for your right to compensation.