Winter Safety Tips to Prevent Premises Liability
The winter season in Illinois has arrived, which means significant snowfall, icy streets and walkways, high winds, and other tumultuous conditions. As a result, there is a heightened risk of serious slip and fall accidents occurring at businesses and other facilities.
Businesses with a high volume of foot traffic or a large number of employees need to take proactive measures to mitigate the risk of an accident occurring on their property. Here are a few winter safety tips for businesses and information about what you can do if you get hurt.
Measures businesses can take to reduce the risk of winter safety hazards
Slips and fall accidents can be a common occurrence when the weather turns frigid during winter. Businesses can help protect customers and employees by clearing outside walkways of snow and ice as quickly as possible. However, Illinois law doesn’t hold landowners liable for accidents caused by “natural accumulation” of snow. That does not mean that a landowner won’t be responsible for slip and falls on their property because the unnatural accumulation of snow and ice is not protected. For instance, if a downspout causes water to run onto a walkway where it freezes, and someone falls on that patch of ice, the owner might be liable. Additionally, many cities, including Springfield, have ordinances requiring that property owners remove snow and ice.
Outside winter weather can also lead to slippery floors inside the business. It is recommended that businesses place “wet floor” signs in entryways, particularly when there is significant rain and ice that can lead to wet and slippery entrance points. Businesses should also consider providing secured rugs on wood or tile entryway floors to minimize the risks of falls inside their property.
Besides slips and falls, the winter weather can cause other serious safety issues. For example, it is important for businesses to proactively remove icicles that may form from rooftops, as they have the potential to fall and cause significant harm to people walking below. Businesses should also consider hiring trained professionals to remove ice and snow from the rooftop. This is a better option than asking an untrained employee to engage in hazardous work that can put them at risk of injury.
Winter weather plans
Another safety measure that businesses in Illinois can implement is having a winter weather plan in place for employees in the event of a power failure or the declaration of a state of emergency that closes roadways. Businesses should take steps to ensure that their employees are aware of the plan and know what is expected of them in the event of a weather-related emergency.
General upkeep can help business premises stay safe
When it comes to properly preparing for harsh winter weather, it is recommended that businesses engage in the general upkeep of their property. For example, make sure to prepare the business premises for winter safety by inspecting key areas (e.g., entryways and exitways, sidewalks, etc.) for potential dangers.
Before dangerous winter weather hits, it would be prudent to have a professional assess any trees or power lines that are on the business premises. Trimming and securing these now may help prevent them from falling during a snow or ice storm.
Another important safety measure is providing adequate lighting in walking areas. Make sure to have clearly visible warning signs for any dangerous conditions or equipment that requires safety training. When snow begins to thaw, check for flooding or leaks that could potentially cause other safety concerns.
Types of recoverable damages in an Illinois slip and fall case
If you visited a business and suffered a serious injury from a slip and fall accident, then you may have grounds to pursue financial restitution for your harm and losses.
To have a viable slip and fall injury claim, your personal injury lawyer in Alton, Illinois, must be able to prove the following:
- The business owner owed you a duty of care
- The other party was negligent and breached that duty of care
- You suffered serious bodily injuries as a proximate result of that negligence
- You have documented harms and losses, including medical invoices and lost income
It is important to speak to an experienced Illinois slip-and-fall lawyer about the incident. Why? Because they can help determine whether there is evidence to establish negligence, along with assessing the scope and extent of your harms and losses.
If you have a viable personal injury claim, there are generally two forms of financial restitution that can be pursued for slip and fall injuries: economic damages and non-economic damages. Each is explored below:
Recoverable economic damages following a slip and fall
Economic damages, also referred to as “actual damages,” are monetary losses caused by your slip and fall injuries. Examples of economic damages in a slip and fall accident claim may include the following:
- Immediate and long-term medical expenses
- Lost income
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment
- In-home or nursing home care
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
Since you will have the burden of proving the monetary value of your economic losses to receive compensation, make sure to retain copies of your bills and receipts. When you hire a slip and fall lawyer at Glisson Law, we will make sure your expenses are included in your personal injury claim.
Recoverable non-economic damages following a slip and fall
Non-economic damages are those harms and losses that may be more difficult to quantify since they do not involve a monetary expenditure. In slip and fall accident cases, non-economic damages often include the following:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Diminished earning capacity
- Embarrassment and inconvenience
To get a better sense of what you can reasonably pursue through a slip and fall personal injury claim, contact an experienced slip and fall attorney in Alton, Illinois, to schedule a no-cost, confidential case evaluation.
The clock is ticking on your ability to take legal action
Each state, including Illinois, has a statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall injury lawsuit. Under Illinois law, the applicable statute of limitations is two years from the date the slip and fall accident occurred. For example, if you suffered a slip and fall at a business in Alton around December 2023, then the statute of limitations would likely run until December 2025.
Once this statutory period expires, the ability to pursue financial restitution in court ends. As with many laws, there are exceptions to the general rule, so it is important to discuss your legal rights and options with an experienced and knowledgeable slip and fall injury lawyer.
Injured in a slip and fall at a business premise? Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Alton, Illinois
When the unexpected happens, such as a slip and fall accident, it can be a challenge to get your life back on track. In the blink of an eye, you could be confronted with significant, unexpected medical bills and a lengthy recovery period.
The team at Glisson Law is ready and able to represent you. 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 consultation.