Determining liability in a slip and fall accident on an icy walkway can be tricky. To find out if you have a claim for injuries sustained in a fall on a slippery walkway, call a DC icy sidewalk injury lawyer who can evaluate your case.
Property owners have a responsibility to make sure their premises are adequately maintained and reasonably free from risks of injury to their guests. Just as a property owner may be found liable for failing to clean up liquid spills on a floor, they may similarly be held liable for injuries sustained by visitors or customers who slip and fall on icy sidewalks within their property. A premesis liability lawyer in DC will be able to look at the facts and circumstances surrounding your accident and determine the best courts of action for you.
A DC icy sidewalk injury lawyer can investigate your case in order to determine the best way to go about filing your personal injury claim. The attorneys at our firm understand that a slip and fall accident on an icy sidewalk can seriously affect your ability to work and may result in significant medical bills. Therefore, let our legal team evaluate your case to see how we may be able to help.
A property owner has a duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for guests and visitors. Included in that duty is the responsibility to keep stairs, sidewalks, and other walkways clear of hazards that could cause a person to trip, slip, or fall, including ice and snow.
In Washington, DC, property owners are generally held responsible for keeping the public sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses cleared of snow and ice. Even though the sidewalk itself is public property, the duty of maintenance is placed upon the property owner.
For example, if winter weather rolls in and a person slips on an icy sidewalk before the owner has had a reasonable opportunity to clear the sidewalk, the property owner will not likely be held liable for resulting injuries.
Contrary to what many people think, a slip on an icy sidewalk can be quite serious. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a serious head injury that can lead to permanent cognitive or motor impairment, or even death. The physical, emotional, and financial costs associated with a severe fall injury are often astronomical.
Personal injury litigation and the rules of premises liability are complex. Trying to handle a slip and fall claim yourself is difficult without an experienced attorney who knows how to handle personal injury cases. Therefore if you have been injured due to an icy sidewalk in Washington, DC call and schedule a free consultation with a DC icy sidewalk lawyer today.
