(275+)Winter is fast approaching. With the season changing, everyone in the Philadelphia area must be prepared. Slip and fall accidents are an underappreciated risk. As falls can cause devastating injuries, people should try to avoid them. Here, our Philadelphia slip and fall attorney provides actionable tips for how to avoid winter-weather fall accidents in Pennsylvania.
Winter is a High Risk Time for Fall Accidents
Winter weather dramatically increases the likelihood of slip and fall accidents. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain create slick sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways that can catch people off guard. Black ice often forms overnight and is difficult to see, making ordinary walking surfaces dangerous. In Philadelphia, businesses and property owners must take reasonable steps (salting, shoveling, placing warning signs, etc) to prevent serious injuries. The good news is that winter slip and fall accidents are often preventable. A few simple precautions can go a long way towards reducing the risk of a snow/icefall accident.
Tips to Avoid Winter Slips
Tip #1: Wear the Proper Footwear (Traction)
The right footwear can reduce the risk of a slip and fall accident during the winter months. Shoes or boots with non-slip rubber soles significantly reduce the risk of slipping on icy surfaces. As a general rule, it is best to avoid smooth leather or plastic soles. That type of footwear provides very little grip in winter conditions. Footwear designed for snow and ice may sometimes be required.
Tip #2: Take Short, Careful Steps and (Slow Your Pace)
It is important to walk more carefully in winter weather conditions. Even a light layer of ice can make a flat surface dangerous. The best approach is to walk slowly, with a focus on keeping your center of gravity over your feet. By taking shorter steps, you can often better keep your balance. When they are available, it is best to use railings for additional stability.
Tip #3: Keep Entryways and Walkways Clear
For property owners, maintaining safe walking areas is a legal responsibility. It is something that everyone needs to do to keep our city safer during the winter. Businesses and property owners should regularly shovel, salt, or sand walkways, driveways, and entry paths to minimize hazards.
Tip #4: Use Extra Caution When Exiting or Entering a Vehicle
Did you know that many of the most serious winter weather slip and fall accidents happen in parking lots and in other places where people are getting in and out of cars? Before stepping down, you need to be sure to test your footing by placing one shoe on the ground while holding onto the vehicle for balance.
Tip #5: Report and Address Unsafe Conditions Promptly
If you notice icy stairs, untreated sidewalks, unsafe entryways, or any other hazardous conditions related to winter weather, you should report them immediately to property management, the business, or maintenance staff. Documenting and communicating hazards helps ensure they are corrected before someone gets hurt. A proactive approach is best.
Pennsylvania Law: Winter Weather Slip and Fall Liability
Many winter weather slip and falls happen because businesses and property owners fail to address snow and ice hazards. They may be legally liable for these accidents, but it is not automatic. Slip and fall accidents are premises liability claims. In Pennsylvania, property owners and property occupiers (businesses) can be held liable for a slip and fall or trip and fall that happens on their premises if an unreasonably dangerous safety hazard was the cause. Notably, this is true for winter weather-related fall accidents as well, including those caused by snow and ice. Every serious accident caused by wintery conditions requires a careful, comprehensive investigation.
Note: There are local regulations on snow and ice removal in much of Pennsylvania. For example, the City of Philadelphia Department of Streets explains that property owners have a general duty to remove snow from the sidewalk in front of their property within six hours after snowfall stops. Many other municipalities have similar requirements. A property owner could potentially bear legal responsibility for their failure to clear snow or ice as required by law, especially for a fall accident that happened on a private parking lot or an exterior walkway.
Compensation for Slip and Fall Winter Accidents
Hurt in a winter weather-related slip and fall accident in Philadelphia or elsewhere in Southeastern Pennsylvania? You have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of your damages, including for non-economic losses. Every case is fact-specific. Do not rely on any business owner, property owner, or insurance company to willingly step up and offer full and fair compensation. They want to settle cases for less. Our Philadelphia slip and fall accident lawyer can help. Following a serious winter weather slip and fall accident, you may be able to recover compensation:
- Ambulance costs;
- Emergency room care;
- Hospital bills;
- Medications;
- Medical equipment;
- Other health costs;
- Loss of wages;
- Diminished earning power;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Long-term disability.
Why Fall Accident Victims in Philadelphia Trust Gibbons & Crichton
Philadelphia sees its fair share of adverse winter weather. Wintery conditions bring an inherent slip and fall risk. Businesses and property owners must make a proactive effort to remove slip and fall hazards and trip and fall hazards. Their failure to do so could be negligent. At Gibbons & Crichton, we fight for justice for injured victims. With extensive experience handling premises liability claims and more than $100 million secured for injured victims across our practice areas, our case results and client testimonials demonstrate what we can do for people like you.
Contact Our Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
At Gibbons & Crichton, our Philadelphia slip and fall accident lawyers are standing by, ready to fight for justice. If you or your loved one was hurt in a winter weather slip and fall, we can help. Contact us right away to arrange your free, no obligation case review. With an office in Philadelphia (19103 zip code), we handle winter weather slip and fall accidents throughout the region, including in 19191, 19194, 19193, 19196, 19195, 19244, and 19197.
