Slips or Falls Involving Snow or Ice in Williamsville

Inclement weather during the year’s colder months can lead to a potentially dangerous buildup of ice and snow, something virtually every New York State resident is likely all too familiar with. What you might not be as familiar with is how state law assigns liability to property owners who fail to clean up ice and snow covering walking surfaces on their land. You may also need clarification on your rights to pursue compensation if you get hurt by slipping and falling under circumstances like this.

Slips or falls involving snow or ice in Williamsville can serve as the grounds for an injury claim in many situations. For the best chances of getting a favorable resolution from your settlement demand or lawsuit, you should make contacting and retaining a qualified slip and fall attorney your top priority after seeking necessary medical care.

What Responsibility Do Landowners Hold for Snow and Ice?

In Williamsville, landowners can often be held liable for slip and fall accidents caused by snow or ice that has been left unaddressed for a substantial period after forming on the ground. Notably, courts generally will not hold owners liable for any incidents that happen while snow is actively falling, since it would not be reasonable to expect any person to be able to cure a dangerous condition caused by snow while it is still snowing. This is typically referred to as the “storm in progress” defense, and it is always used by defendant landowners.

There is also generally a grace period immediately after a winter storm ends where a home or property owner might have some leeway. For example, it might be unreasonable to expect a private homeowner to leave work in the middle of the day to clean up snow that fell on their sidewalk while they were away. Our knowledgeable legal team can review the circumstances leading up to a particular accident and offer advice on whether a successful outcome is possible.

Building a Comprehensive Slip and Fall Claim

Anyone in Williamsville looking to file suit over a slip and fall caused by snow or ice will likely need evidence from multiple sources if they want to build a strong claim and recover comprehensively for their losses. Surveillance camera footage, witness testimony, and photos of the accident can help establish how an accident happened. In addition to this, it may also be vital to incorporate medical records to demonstrate the severity of resulting injuries, as well as weather reports proving that a landowner had a reasonable amount of time to address the slipping hazard on their land. Support from our experienced attorneys can be key to collecting, preserving, and effectively presenting relevant information during settlement talks or proceedings in civil court.

Let a Williamsville Attorney Help After a Slip or Fall Involving Snow or Ice

Broadly speaking, landowners around New York have a duty to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition for any lawful visitors who step onto their premises. However, owners do not owe the exact same duty of care to every visitor in every situation. Additionally, determining whether a landowner failed to address snow or ice buildup reasonably quickly after a storm can be a complicated and subjective process.

Guidance from a seasoned attorney at Richmond Vona, LLC is vital to successfully pursuing financial compensation after a slip or fall involving snow or ice in Williamsville. Call today for a free consultation with a legal team who genuinely cares.