Ice and Snow Accidents
As with regular fall down cases, falls due to weather can also be the partial cause of the owners of the property that you fell in front of. While landlords should be responsible for taking care of snow and ice in their neighborhoods, sometimes they get lazy and decide to cut costs, which is why you slipped and fell in an area that otherwise should have been clean.
People who injure themselves on snow and ice can get broken bones or even traumatic brain injuries, depending on the fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that one in five falls can result in a serious injury. Total medical costs for medical injuries also add up to $34 billion each year, with hospital costs amounting to two thirds of the total.
If you fell in a snowy or icy area and you believe the property owner was responsible, you should report your case immediately! Our personal injury attorneys at Ellis Law have years of experience in just such cases, and are eager to work with you to collect the facts of the case, which should include photographic evidence or even a third-party testimony if a witness was present during your fall. Call us today!
Snow and Ice Injuries in the Workplace
A study published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that 42,480 workplace injuries in 2014 involved sleet or snow. As with residential property, workplace supervisors are just as responsible for workplace conditions during bad weather. Employers are also responsible for work zones on highways to be correctly set up with the traffic controls identified by signs, cones, and barriers in order to protect workers. Many injuries are needlessly caused in work zones because workers are struck by vehicles or mobile equipment.
Construction workers are also at a high risk for being injured due to icy conditions in the worksite. Scaffolding can become icy, or weighed down by accumulating snow, which can easily cause an injury for the worker. Scaffold-related construction accidents cause approximately 50 deaths and 4,500 injuries each year, and since an estimated 2.3 million construction workers work on scaffolds, workplace supervisors and employers should be held accountable for all of them.
Work might be hard enough on a sunny day, so if you work outside, or you fell outside of a work building where the snow and ice were not properly removed, it’s not necessarily your fault. Employers should be held accountable for workplace conditions, both in and outside the workplace.
Preventing an Injury from Ice and Snow When Driving
Approximately 500 fatalities in the United States are caused due to icy road conditions. When driving, always be sure to keep the following safety tips in mind:
- Drive slow! There’s no need to speed on icy roads or highways. You are only increasing the risk of crashing into another driver.
- Turn on your headlights. Use low beams when traveling in snow.
- If you see snowplows on the roads, don’t tailgate or try to pass them. They’re doing important work, and they need the room.
- Slow down when you’re getting off at an exit. You may not see it, but exit ramps often have sharp curves, icy patches, and stalled or stopped vehicles.
- In the case that your vehicle becomes disabled, pull off the road and turn on your emergency flashers. Wait until help arrives.
Ice and Snow Attorney Near Me
Whether you fell in an icy neighborhood, at your workplace, or been hit by a careless driver who didn’t remove all ice and snow from their vehicle, you may have a case against someone. Ellis Law understands that some slip and fall cases due to ice, snow, or sleet can be traumatic, and we are willing to listen to your concerns and help you get the representation that you need in court. If you’ve been injured due to snow and need an attorney, do not hesitate — contact us online or call us today at 888-355-4752, and we’ll help work out a good deal for you.