While movies and television shows make light of slipping on ice or snow, these events can cause serious injuries. Homeowners likely know to shovel and salt outdoor walkways. Business owners should do the same thing. When either of these parties fails to care for outdoor areas, it’s possible that people who visit their locations will fall on the slick walkways.
Pedestrians will likely take steps to avoid falling while they walk. In many cases, the onus is on the property owner to ensure that these areas are safe for people. There are several things that should occur when it’s snowy or icy outside.
Prevention is the key
Property owners should shovel, plow, and salt outside walkways, including parking lots. Ideally, this will be done before patrons come to the business or visitors come to a home. They’ll also need to check throughout the day because areas of melted snow and ice may refreeze when the temperature drops, which could lead to very icy and slick areas.
There’s a chance that negligence will come into question during a personal injury claim. Reviewing the maintenance log related to the area where you fell might help you to prove that the property owner wasn’t doing what they should have done to prevent slip and fall incidents.
Slipping on ice or snow can lead to serious injuries, so you should ensure that you get medical care if this occurs. Catastrophic injuries can lead to costly medical care. Individuals who are in this position should ensure that they know their rights. You may opt to seek compensation for the damages related to the injury. This includes trying to recover the cost of medical care, but remember that you only have a limited time to do this. Time limits for personal injury claims apply in Ohio.