(235+)As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, Philadelphians know that winter will soon be upon us. While this season brings festive holidays and beautiful snowfalls, it also ushers in treacherous conditions that greatly increase the risk of winter slips, trips, and falls. At the law offices of Gibbons & Crichton, we want our fellow citizens to be aware of these seasonal hazards so they can stay safe.
Icy Sidewalks and Parking Lots Pose Major Risks
One of the biggest winter slip dangers in Philadelphia is icy walkways. After a snowfall or freezing rain, sidewalks, steps, and parking lots frequently become coated in a slick, transparent layer of ice.
This nearly invisible sheen can cause pedestrians to suddenly lose footing and fall hard.
Property owners are required by law to promptly clear snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their buildings. They must put down salt, sand, or other anti-slip materials to provide traction.
However, some negligent owners fail to take these measures and leave behind icy, slippery surfaces that put the public at risk of serious winter slips and falls.
Wet, Slippery Floors in Building Entrances
The risk of slipping and falling does not go away once you come inside. Entrances to stores, office buildings, apartment complexes, and other structures are common sites for winter slips and falls in Philadelphia. When people enter a building, snow, and slush can get tracked in on their shoes and clothing. This rapidly melts into puddles on tile, marble, linoleum, and wood flooring.
Property managers and maintenance staff have a responsibility to put down mats, rugs, and non-skid surfaces to prevent winter slips in entranceways. Warning signs must also be erected to alert people to the wet, slick conditions so they can tread carefully. Far too often, these precautions are ignored and innocent people end up badly hurt.
Falls on Broken or Uneven Pavement
Snow and ice also frequently conceal damaged, raised, depressed, or potholed sections of sidewalk, parking lot pavement, and walkways. A thin covering of snow can camouflage deep cracks, uneven slabs of concrete, and gaping potholes. When stepped on, this snow gives way, causing a person’s foot to unexpectedly drop or twist resulting in a wrenching slip and fall.
Property owners must keep sidewalks, parking lots, and other outdoor areas in good repair. When defects emerge, they must be cordoned off and fixed promptly. Allowing damaged pavement to persist, especially concealed under snow, is negligent and puts the public at high risk of injury.
Black Ice Is a Hidden, Serious Hazard
Black ice forms when snow or water refreezes into a smooth, transparent glaze on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. This clear, thin ice is extremely difficult to see, especially at night, dusk, dawn, or in shaded areas. It frequently catches pedestrians unaware, causing them to slip and fall violently before they even realize the surface under their feet is coated in ice.
Property owners must vigilantly monitor for the formation of black ice during winter months and treat it with de-icing agents or traction materials. Failing to address this deceptive hazard promptly is a breach of their legal obligation to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors and passersby.
Inadequate Lighting Exacerbates Risks
During Philadelphia’s short winter days, many people find themselves commuting to and from work in the dark or dim late afternoon light.
This makes it much harder to see icy patches, slick, wet floors, and snow-covered pavement defects. Property owners must ensure walkways and parking lots have adequate illumination so pedestrians can spot and avoid these slip and trip hazards.
Legal Responsibilities for Property Owners in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their premises are reasonably safe for others. This includes removing snow and ice promptly to prevent winter slip hazards. Under Pennsylvania law, property owners are expected to clear snow and ice within a reasonable time frame after the accumulation stops, typically within a few hours.
If a property owner fails to clear their walkways, stairs, or entryways and someone is injured in a winter slip, they may be held legally responsible for those injuries. This applies to private homeowners, business owners, and public entities responsible for maintaining sidewalks and public spaces. Victims of winter slips, trips, and falls may have the right to seek compensation for their injuries.
Stay Safe on Philadelphia’s Wintry Walkways
Reducing the risk of winter slips, trips, and falls in Philadelphia requires a combination of preparation and awareness. Here are a few safety measures:
- Salt and deicing agents: Philadelphia residents and business owners should apply salt for deicing agents to sidewalks, driveways, and walkways before or shortly after snowfall. This helps prevent ice from forming or at least limits its spread.
- Wear proper footwear: Shoes with good treads, like those made for hiking or winter conditions, can help you grip icy surfaces better. Avoid shoes with smooth soles that easily slip on wet or icy patches.
- Watch your step: Be mindful of the surfaces you are walking on, and look out for shiny, glassy patches that may be ice. Always assume that any wet area could be slippery, especially when temperatures are near or below freezing.
- Use handrails and support structures: Where available, use handrails on stairways and ramps. Support structures offer extra stability, helping you avoid slipping and regaining balance if you start to fall.
We Are Only a Call Away
If you do fall victim to a slip and fall on someone else’s icy, ill-maintained property this winter, know that you have legal rights. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe and can be held liable for injuries if they fail to address snowy and icy hazards in a reasonable timeframe.
Discuss your situation with the experienced Philadelphia slip and fall attorneys at Gibbons & Crichton. We fight to get innocent winter slip and fall victims the full and fair compensation they deserve. While we hope you have a safe season, we are here to advocate zealously for you if an icy tumble does occur due to a property owner’s negligence. Stay warm and tread carefully out there.
