Prepare yourself… Winter is coming!!

In Colorado, we know how harsh the winters can get.  From slippery-sidewalks and ice-covered parking lots to wet floors in public buildings where ice and snow has been tracked in, slip and fall injuries are not far behind.  According to the National Safety Council, there are nearly nine million emergency room visits each year due to slip and fall related cases.  Of these ER visits, most slip and fall injuries have a more common occurrence during the winter season.

Property owners are responsible for the maintenance and safety of the property; they have a duty to maintain safe premises as well as keeping pathways free of hazards that could potentially cause injuries.  Most, but not all, slip and fall accidents can be prevented with proper maintenance.  The property owner is unable to correct the hazard, it is their responsibility to give adequate warning so that visitors can avoid injury.

The main problem with premises liability cases is that the injuries caused by slip and fall accidents that are sustained are usually startling.  If the accident happens outdoors on the concrete, we often end up with individuals with broken arms or legs.

Protocol for a Slip and Fall Accident

Seek medical treatment right away.
It’s important to see a doctor so that your injuries can be properly documented.  All documented mental records could potentially be used as important pieces of evidence if you decide to seek compensation for your injuries.

Report the accident.
Don’t leave the sighting where the accident occurred until you’ve informed it to the manager, owner, or landlord of the property.  Ask the manager, owner, or landlord of the property to make a written report of the incident and ask for a copy.

Document everything.
Having a witness could help prove your claim if you decide to go down that route.  Try to collect their name, address, phone number, and email address.  Remember to take pictures of the exact location where you fell, including any stair cases, ice patches, or any other conditions that contributed to your accident.

Do not make any statements other than reporting the fall and do not give statements to any insurance company. Limit your communication with the property manager, owner, or landlord.  Do not post the details of your accident online or on social media.

Contact a personal injury attorney.
If you’re considering taking legal action, call an experienced personal injury attorney.  Our Attorneys have litigated multiple claims involving injuries sustained while on the premises of another.  Land owners and their insurance carriers are quick to blame individuals that fall or are injured as a result of a dangerous or defective condition on their property.  Our team of attorneys are ready to fight for you and will work on your behalf to pursue your best interest.

Statute of Limitations

Keep in mind, that any time a person has been injured by another and that person wants to sue the offending party, the suit must be commenced within a certain amount of time.  The amount of time will depend upon the claim argued by the defendant.  In most slip and fall cases, the time on the statute of limitations begins at the very moment when the property owner commits an act of negligence and ends exactly two years after the date of injury.

If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by snow, ice, or any other dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you may have a premises liability claim.  If you believe you may have a case, call us today or fill out the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.  We offer a free initial consultation where attorneys can help answer all your questions.

If you believe you may have a case, call us today or fill out the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible. We offer a free initial consultation where attorneys can help answer all your questions. Contact Us today.

The information on this website is intended to be general information only and not legal advice.  Laws change frequently and the information on this website may not be up to date, nor is the information intended to be fully comprehensive.  The information is general in nature and each case should be analyzed by a legal professional on an individual basis.  The information on this page does not create an attorney client relationship.  No relationship should be implied by reading the general information contained on this page or this website.  For legal advice specific to your case, please contact Sanders Law Firm or another licensed attorney.