Buffalo residents are no strangers to snow or ice. Severe weather is common in the winter months and accumulated precipitation can quickly become a hazard. Whether on public streets or private sidewalks, this common winter occurrence can result in a serious injury after a fall.
If you were hurt in a slip and fall incident involving snow or ice in Buffalo, you might be entitled to damages. The property owner could be held liable for your injuries if they failed to take steps to keep you safe. Let a skilled slip and fall attorney advise you on your options moving forward. Contact Richmond Vona today to schedule a consultation or to find out more.
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The Duty of Property Owners
There are only certain circumstances where a property owner or occupier must provide compensation after a fall. This is especially true with snow or ice, as these conditions occur naturally. The key to determining if a property owner is legally responsible is whether they took reasonable steps to address the hazard. For example, an owner could be liable if they caused an unsafe condition by failing to remove snow or ice within a reasonable time.
However, the question of what a reasonable amount of time might be is subjective and is often left to a jury to determine. In some instances, individuals on a jury might see efforts to remove snow within a matter of hours as reasonable. However, it might not be reasonable if the property owner waits several days to address the dangerous condition.
Knowledgeable legal counsel can provide insight into whether a property owner or occupier is liable by examining the details of an incident. They can also help present any relevant evidence to a Buffalo jury in a way that will help them to understand how the property owner’s action or inaction directly resulted in a slip and fall on the ice.
Compensation for a Slip and Fall Injury
A slip, trip, or fall accident on the snow or ice in Buffalo could result in serious physical injuries ranging from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. Most of the sustained harm comes with expensive medical care and emotional trauma. By pursuing a personal injury claim, it may be possible to address these financial costs. The damages available in these cases typically include compensation for both economic and non-economic forms of loss.
Medical Costs
In most cases, if a property owner is found liable for injuries, they will be responsible for all medical care related to the accident. This could include emergency room visits, surgeries, rehabilitative care and equipment, follow-up visits, prescriptions, and even long-term care.
Lost Wages
Missing work is an unfortunate side effect of suffering a severe injury. After a fall, many people cannot work as they recover from their injuries. These lost wages can be recovered with a successful claim.
Pain and Suffering
Slip and fall injuries are frequently painful. This physical pain can last for weeks, months, or longer, depending on the injury’s severity. Compensation is available based on the injured party’s physical pain.
Discuss Slip and Falls Involving Snow or Ice in Buffalo with an Attorney
The injuries associated with slips and falls involving snow or ice in Buffalo are often serious. However, with the help of a compassionate attorney, you could have options for recovering the compensation you need to focus on healing.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
