Icy Sidewalks Lead to Slip and Fall Accidents: Who’s Liable for Injuries?

During the winter months, you will walk on sidewalks that can be icy. Unfortunately, even if you are careful, you may slip and fall. If this happens, you will experience serious injuries that may include a concussion, broken bones, or severe lacerations. Needless to say, you will need to be compensated for your injuries. However, determining liability in these cases is sometimes complex. To ensure you gain compensation and understand your legal rights in these situations, contact a personal injury attorney in Columbus at the Flickinger Legal Group.

Property Owner Liability
When walking on an icy city sidewalk that results in you slipping and falling, you may automatically assume the city itself is liable for your damages. However, this may not necessarily be true. In many cities across the nation, the sidewalk is considered to be an extension of a homeowner’s property, meaning it is the responsibility of the property owner to keep the sidewalk free of ice and snow. To learn if this applies to your case, turn to a Columbus serious injury lawyer with experience handling these cases.

Municipality Liability
In situations where a property owner is not held responsible for the sidewalk, the liability then falls onto the municipality itself. In these situations, it will be crucial to prove the city took little if any action to make the sidewalk safe, such as applying de-icing chemicals to the sidewalk’s surface or properly placing warnings near the area. Since it is likely a city will strongly resist any lawsuit brought its way, always rely on an experienced personal injury attorney in Columbus to protect your legal rights in these matters.

Since falling on an icy sidewalk can lead to serious injuries, you will need compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Therefore, consult immediately with injury attorneys Columbus from the Flickinger Legal Group.