For those in areas that get ice and snow, property owners have a responsibility to make sure parking lots and sidewalks are safe for people to use. This means removing any snow and ice (and other potential safety hazards like potholes) in a timely fashion.
Local laws allow property owners a “reasonable” amount of time to make repairs and remove any snow or ice from pathways.
For example: when someone falls on an icy parking lot in the middle of a snowstorm, the parking lot manager probably won’t be liable for your injuries — but if the incident happened days after the snowstorm had passed, the law considers that a ‘reasonable amount of time’ to remove the icy or snowy hazards that ultimately caused your injury.
There are other factors to consider, too.
Some snowy or icy areas may be man-made or ultimately caused by someone else’s negligence.
For example: if there’s an unnatural build up of ice or snow caused by a leaking pipe, the property owner could be required to compensate you for any slip and fall injury directly linked to that leaking pipe.
If you’re still not sure how your accident may apply, call us. The Barnes Firm is available 24/7 to answer your questions.