Icy Sidewalk Dangers and Liability If Injured

With the winter season upon us, the risk of suffering a serious slip and fall injury increases exponentially. Winter typically brings significant snowfall, ice storms, freezing rain, and so forth. This means sidewalks and roads can get covered with ice and snow, which may make them treacherous.

If you suffer a serious slip and fall injury on an icy sidewalk on a business premise in or around Alton and believe the business failed to reasonably address the ice, then consider contacting an experienced Illinois slip and fall injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.

What you can do to mitigate the risk of a slip and fall injury on an icy sidewalk

Ice-related slips and fall accidents contribute to an array of serious bodily injuries. In some instances, a slip and fall injury can be catastrophic and life-altering (e.g., a slip and fall could lead to a traumatic brain injury). Below are some tips and recommendations to help prevent serious ice-related accidents:

• Walk slowly and carefully when traversing an icy sidewalk during the winter months.
• Consider getting special shoes that have slip-resistant soles to help you retain traction if you unexpectedly walk on an icy street.
• Be mindful of “black ice,” which is the dangerous combination of vehicle oil and ice on the roads, sidewalks and parking lots.
• Be cognizant when you are getting in and out of your vehicle in a parking lot, garage, or other facility. Parking lots can be especially slippery following a winter storm.
• Be vigilant of potentially slippery surfaces when you enter a business premises. People might be tracking snow and ice inside their shoes, and then it will melt and create a slip and fall hazard inside the premises.
• Keep your hands free and try not to limit the number of items (e.g., cell phones, gift bags, backpacks, etc.) you’re carrying while traversing sidewalks and entering businesses. This way, you can have your hands free and your balance secure in case you get unsteady.

Liability for a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk in Illinois

Bodily injuries from slip and falls that occur on icy sidewalks can result in significant damage that may take weeks or months to fully recover from, if at all. The potential for loss of wages, permanent physical injuries, and even fatalities is why there are rules and regulations in place for business owners to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe manner.

If someone slips on the ice in front of an Alton store, the owner of that business may be liable for the harms and losses associated with the slip and fall. Employers should take proactive steps to properly train workers to keep the sidewalks safe for customers and pedestrians.

Slip and fall victims should consider their legal options and whether they have a basis to file a personal injury lawsuit. Please be advised that you do not have an infinite amount of time to take legal action. In fact, slip and fall accident victims generally need to file a lawsuit within two years, commencing from the date of the fall. Exceptions to this timeframe may apply when there is criminal intent or reckless behavior surrounding the fall. If the defendant is a local government agency, that will also impact the applicable statute of limitations, which could be significantly shorter. The complexity of assessing your legal options is a big reason why it makes sense to speak to a knowledgeable and experienced slip and fall injury attorney in Illinois.

Dangers of icy and slippery sidewalks

The severity of a slip and fall accident on an icy sidewalk will vary, depending on an array of circumstances, such as your overall health and physical condition at the time of the accident. Nevertheless, it is fairly common for slip and fall accidents to cause serious bodily harm. For some accident victims they may be incapacitated for weeks, or even permanently if they suffer a traumatic brain injury or paralysis.

Examples of injuries that may result from falling on an icy sidewalk include:

• Abrasions and lacerations
• Broken or fractured bones
• Bruises
• Contusions
• Sprains and strains

Though most victims physically recover from their injuries, a severe slip and fall can result in psychological issues. In addition, fatalities are known to occur from these dangerous types of slip and falls.

Steps you should take if seriously injured from a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk

Falling on an icy sidewalk can come as quite a shock for the victim. Some people may even suffer slight embarrassment and instinctively get up as quickly as possible. If you fall, especially on an icy sidewalk, follow these steps:

• If you feel physically able to rise, do so slowly and cautiously. Do not try to spring back up from the ground since that could exacerbate a bodily injury or cause an injury like a torn muscle or ligament.
• Seek immediate medical care. If it’s an emergency where you suffer a sprain, break, or hit your head, call 911 immediately.
• Consider reporting the incident to the authorities and request paramedics or an ambulance. If your fall didn’t require emergency services, go to a physician or other medical professional to get a thorough examination.
• Notify the property owner of the accident and provide them with the date and time and other details of the slip and fall incident.
• Document the accident scene, including photographing the conditions of the sidewalk and subsequent injuries, such as noticeable bruising, welts, scarring, and so forth.
• Get statements from any witnesses who saw what happened.
• Contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer to help determine what kind of financial restitution you may be able to pursue. In addition to pursuing reimbursement for medical expenses, you could receive a settlement for lost income, pain and suffering, along with other types of harms and losses.

Injured in a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk? Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Alton, Illinois

If you are badly injured in a slip and fall accident that occurred on an icy sidewalk, it can be difficult to get your life back on track. In a moment, you could be suddenly confronted with large, unexpected medical expenses and a lengthy recovery period to get yourself back to 100 percent. When you’re confronting the impact of a serious slip and fall injury, you owe it to yourself to assess your legal options to work with an attorney who will handle your slip and fall case with compassion.

The team at Glisson Law is ready to help you in your time and need. For more than two decades, our personal injury lawyers in Alton have proudly served the greater Southern Illinois community. We see real people with real problems, and we stand ready to help you fight for the best possible outcome to your case. When you and your loved ones are facing a challenge, we’re prepared to rise to it. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost, confidential case evaluation.