If you slip on ice and injure yourself, can you make a case to get some compensation? Who is at fault for a fall? The answer can be complicated, and a lot depends on your specific circumstances. Slip and fall injuries often are not serious, however, they can sometimes lead to large medical bills. Therefore, you might want to investigate a case to get some compensation. Private property owners must take reasonable care to limit hazards on their property. However, the public also must make reasonable safety decisions in hazardous conditions. So it can be difficult to prove exactly who is at fault in a situation. If you fall on government property, making a case against a government entity can be even more complicated. If you are interested in pursuing a case to seek damages, it’s important to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Who is Liable if You Slip on Ice? Making a Case
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries can happen all year round, not just in icy conditions. However, ice presents a very dangerous hazard for pedestrians. It’s difficult to see in some areas, so it can take people by surprise. Luckily, most slip and fall injuries are not serious. But if you are involved in a slip on ice that results in a
serious injury, your medical bills might be very high. If that’s the case, it might be worth pursuing damages if you feel that another entity is at fault.
Weighing Options
It’s important to weigh your options carefully before pursuing legal action if you slip on the ice. Private homeowners and public entities must make their space reasonably safe. However, members of the public also must act with reasonable care when they are in a situation that presents foreseeable hazards. Determining what is “reasonable” and “foreseeable” is what makes these types of personal injury cases complicated.
Ice on Your Property
If you slip on ice on your personal property, you do not have a case to make. However, if another person falls on your property, or if you fall on another person’s property, you or they might be able to pursue damages. Your attorney will have to build a strong case showing that the homeowner was at fault and failed to take reasonable care to prevent injury.
Ice at Another Property
If you slip on ice in a commercial space or apartment building, you might also be entitled to compensation if you can prove that they failed to maintain safety standards. If you fall on government property, you can also make a case. For example, in a public park or on the steps of a government building. However, bringing a case against a government entity is much more difficult than bringing a case against a private individual or company.
If you slip on ice, it’s important to determine who is at fault before trying to pursue legal action. Both private landowners and government agencies must prevent foreseeable hazards on their property. However, the general public also has to take reasonable care when in situations that might present a hazard, like icy conditions. The best way to move forward with deciding whether or not you have a case is to speak with an attorney. If you are going to be successful in your lawsuit, you’ll have to make a very strong case. Your attorney can help you gather evidence and walk you through each step of the process. Hopefully, together, you and your attorney can come up with the best course of action.
