Slips and Falls on Ice and Snow in Cincinnati

Although snow can be beautiful and fun for sledding, skiing, and snowboarding, it can also cause serious accidents. Slip and falls on ice and snow in Cincinnati often result in severe injuries requiring significant medical treatment and rehabilitation. If you were hurt because someone else failed to clear the snow from a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, or other pathway, you could have a legal claim for damages. Speak with an experienced attorney at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy to discuss the details of your case.

Determining Fault in an Icy Slip and Fall Accident

Residential and commercial property owners owe a duty of care to the people on their land. Anyone responsible for residential and commercial properties must maintain safe, hazard-free premises that will not cause serious physical harm to legal visitors. If a landowner cannot shovel the walkable surface and apply de-icing products, they must put up signs warning people about the snow and ice. If they do not use signage and allow walkable surfaces to remain coated in ice and snow, they could be held responsible for any resulting injuries. However, property owners are not liable for snow-related slip and fall accidents that occur near their premises. For example, if someone falls on an icy road outside of a retail store, it is not the owner’s fault. Rather, the county or municipality becomes liable if the street was supposed to be plowed by a certain time but was not. Property owners also avoid liability if they use signs to warn about the icy conditions and someone ignores the warnings.

Common Injuries from Falling on Snow and Ice in Cincinnati

Slipping and falling on a hard, icy surface can cause a variety of injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Back and spinal cord damage
• Head trauma or brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts, bruises, and scrapes
• Serious sprains
• Deep bone bruising
• Internal organ damage and bleeding

Any of these conditions may require significant medical treatment, making it necessary to get legal assistance from a nearby lawyer who handles weather-related slip and fall cases.

Steps Following a Slip and Fall on Ice or Snow

When an individual slips and falls on a snowy, icy surface, the first thing they should do is seek medical attention. After, the patient should request the medical reports to show that their slip and fall required professional care. If possible, a slip and fall victim should also try to document the accident and their surroundings. Taking pictures of the accumulation of snow and ice establishes that the sidewalk, parking lot, or other surface had not been cleared. Videos of the conditions also provide concrete proof. If anyone witnessed the fall, the individual should obtain their contact information and record their statements, if possible. Injured individuals should also talk to our Columbus attorneys, who can advise them on making insurance claims or filing lawsuits. The nature of the icy slip and fall accident and the amount of insurance the defendant has will affect what legal options may be most beneficial.

Call a Cincinnati Attorney for Slips and Falls on Ice and Snow

Slips and falls on ice and snow in Cincinnati often lead to severe injuries. As such, victims should speak with the skilled team at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy to learn their legal rights for pursuing compensation. Many of these cases are based on property owner negligence, and those owners should be held accountable for the harm they cause. Call our firm today to learn more about how we can help you.