Slip & Fall Snow & Ice

Your Rights and Legal Options For Snow & Ice Accidents

Each winter, navigating the streets and walkways in Illinois and throughout Illinois becomes perilous. Snow, ice, and slush often accumulate, creating hazardous conditions on sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, stairs, building entrances, and store aisles. Slippery surfaces can lead to severe slip and fall accidents, causing significant injuries.

If you or a loved one has recently experienced a slip and fall on snow and ice, it is crucial to consult with a lawyer promptly to understand your legal rights and options. If a property owner’s negligence contributed to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

For several years, the slip & fall/snow and ice accident attorneys at Gardi, Haught, Fischer & Bhosale LTD have advocated for individuals injured in slip and fall accidents due to property owners’ inadequate snow and ice handling on their premises. Our experienced slip and fall lawyers are well-versed in addressing the complex issues involved in these cases. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Why Are Slip and Fall Accidents on Snow and Ice So Serious?

Illinois experiences frigid temperatures, snow, and ice from late fall through early spring, resulting in treacherous walking conditions. These hazardous conditions can be found indoors and outdoors, particularly around building entrances.

Detecting snow and ice-related hazards can be challenging. For example, property owners may clear snow from sidewalks, unwittingly revealing patches of ice beneath. Temperature fluctuations throughout the day can cause snow to melt and form puddles. However, these puddles can refreeze into dangerous ice patches when temperatures drop at night.

Encountering an unexpected hazard caused by snow and ice can lead to slips and falls with potentially severe consequences. Depending on the nature of the fall, individuals may suffer injuries, typically to the head, wrist, hip, knee, leg, or ankle.

Common injuries include:

• Severe sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Nerve damage
• Herniated or ruptured discs (particularly in the lower back)
• Concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injury.

If you or a loved one has recently experienced a slip and fall on snow or ice, seeking immediate medical attention (if you haven’t already) is essential. A doctor can assess injuries and initiate treatment. Delaying medical care can prolong recovery and may affect your legal claim against a negligent property owner responsible for your fall.

Who Can Be Liable for Snow and Ice-Related Falls in Illinois?

While property owners or occupants in Illinois generally have no obligation to remove natural accumulations of snow, ice, or water from their property, there are exceptions to this rule. You may be eligible to file a premises liability claim against a property owner or occupier if your slip and fall on snow or ice resulted from specific circumstances, such as:

Willful or Wanton Misconduct of a Residential Property Owner: The Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act generally protects residential property owners and occupants from liability if they negligently attempt to remove snow or ice from adjacent sidewalks. However, they can be held liable if a person suffers injury due to a snowy or icy condition on the sidewalks resulting from “willful or wanton” misconduct.

Negligent Snow or Ice Removal by a Commercial Property Owner:
You may have grounds to pursue a claim against a commercial property owner who negligently removed snow or ice, leading to unnatural accumulations. For example, if piles of snow in a parking lot melted during the day and froze at night, creating “black ice” patches, the property owner could be liable.

Negligent Design or Maintenance of Pavement: Faulty pavement design or maintenance that causes unnatural snow, ice, or water accumulations may result in property owner liability. Flaws in the parking lot slope or unrepaired pavement holes or cracks could lead to dangerous accumulations. Sometimes, liability may stem from unnatural accumulations caused by gutters, downspouts, or roofs.

Contract or Lease Agreements: A contract or lease agreement may impose a duty on a property owner or occupier to remove snow or ice. If the owner is aware or should reasonably be aware of snow, ice, or water accumulations on the property and fails to address or warn about the hazard, liability may arise.

How Can a Slip and slip-and-fall attorney Assist You?

The ability to recover compensation following a slip and fall on snow or ice in Illinois depends on the case’s unique circumstances. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in such an accident, it is crucial to consult with an experienced premises liability attorney from Gardi, Haught, Fischer & Bhosale LTD as soon as possible.

Our law firm will:

• Conduct an immediate investigation into your slip and fall case.
  Consult with experts, including architects, engineers, or property maintenance specialists.
• Review your medical records and consult with experts to assess the nature and extent of your injuries.
• Prepare a robust case for settlement negotiations and, if necessary, take your case to trial.

We can review the specific facts of your case and discuss all legal options available to you. Contact our personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation through our offices at (847) 944-9400.

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