Extreme weather conditions increase the risk of trip and fall accidents. This poses a safety risk, particularly on properties where owners have not taken precautions in hazardous conditions. While the weather may have contributed to your fall, your trip and fall lawyer will help you claim compensation for the accident. Here is how the weather conditions may impact your trip and fall case:
Property Owners’ Responsibilities
Despite the weather, property owners are responsible for taking reasonable steps to maintain safe conditions. In case of an accident, your trip and fall lawyer helps you prove that the property owner failed to take steps to eliminate weather-related hazards. The owners’ negligence makes them liable for your injuries. This allows you to claim compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Here are weather conditions that cause slip and fall hazards and property owners’ responsibilities during certain seasons:
Ice and Snow
Snow can conceal cracks, potholes, and uneven surfaces, increasing the risk of tripping, and the melting snow may refreeze into slippery ice patches. Property owners must clear snow and ice from their walkways and driveways or hire regular snow removal services during winter to minimize the hazards of unshovelled snow. Failure to do so may result in a visitor becoming injured.
Rain
Rain creates water puddles that can hide tripping hazards and make outdoor surfaces more slippery. During rainy seasons, owners should warn visitors of slippery areas, maintain proper drainage, and mop wet floors. Removing mold and mildew and taking measures to prevent their growth on walkways is another precaution to minimize slip and fall risks during wet seasons.
Storms
During windstorms, property owners must clear away debris like fallen tree branches. Large debris and scattered outdoor furniture could pose a tripping hazard. They must also repair damages like cracks in sidewalks, uneven steps, and damaged path lights after extreme weather conditions as these can contribute to falls.
Proving Property Owner Negligence
Property owners may blame the weather for your fall. You must show they knew or should have known about a weather-related hazard and did not correct it. To prove that a property owner’s negligence caused your injury, your attorney collects relevant evidence. They collect security camera footage and witness accounts that show the hazard was a persistent or recurrent problem. You can also present evidence showing that the issue was obvious, which made it less likely for the property owner to miss it.
Getting witnesses who have experienced a similar issue at the property and reported it to the owner can bolster your case. See a doctor immediately after the accident so that you have a medical report showing the extent of your injuries and the treatment administered. Your medical records provide proof that the hazardous condition directly caused your injury. Also take photos of the accident scene and report the hazard to the property manager to have documentation of the incident.
Comparative Negligence
In some cases, your negligence may affect your ability to recover compensation. It helps to have an experienced attorney representing your interests. When you take your case to an attorney, they evaluate the circumstances surrounding your accident. This helps them to determine the likelihood of comparative negligence claims by the defendant’s attorney.
Your lawyer may also ask about the shoes you wore at the time of the incident and if they are slip-resistant. They may also ask questions about what you were doing when you fell. A good lawyer can help you prove that you were cautious when walking over the slippery surface. They can also prove that you did not see any signs warning of the potential hazard.
Hire a Trip and Fall Lawyer for Help With Your Case
Extreme weather conditions pose trip and fall hazards which property owners must attempt to mitigate to prevent injuries. Failure to maintain safe walking surfaces and warn visitors of potential hazards can make property owners liable for injuries. If you have sustained injuries in a trip and fall accident, an attorney can help you claim compensation. Your lawyer helps you gather evidence to prove your claim. This helps you get the compensation you deserve to cover lost wages and medical expenses. Hire a trip and fall lawyer today to improve your chances of a successful claim outcome.
