Ice Slip and Fall
Last week’s winter storm impacted parts of the metropolitan area. With it came below freezing temperatures, treacherous conditions, and an increase in slip-and-fall injuries. Falls are the highest cause of injury across the United States. In fact, 2.3 million emergency room visits are related to slip-and-fall accidents every year, with an estimated 662,000 of those cases resulting in hospitalizations. New York City alone saw 24 fatalities from slip-and-fall accidents between 2005-2015. Serious medical conditions that are caused by slip-and-fall injuries include: Traumatic brain injuries Spinal cord damage Trauma to neck and back Broken bones and fractures Muscle, joint, and soft tissue damage Lacerations and deep bruising With more than 12,750 miles of sidewalks in the city and hundreds of thousands of building fronts to walk in and out of, you may be wondering how it’s possible to avoid a slip-and-fall injury this winter. The good news is the responsibility of your safety is not solely on you. BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE A DUTY TO CLEAR All business and property owners in NYC have a duty to keep their sidewalks, parking lots, and roofs clear to allow pedestrians to walk safely. It’s their responsibility to know what the expectations are for the safety of their property and to take the measures needed to remove snow and ice. Winter clearance regulations for NYC include clearing ice and snow: that falls between 7:00 am – 4:59 pm within four hours of when the snow stops that falls between 5:00 pm – 8:59 pm within 14 hours of when the snow stops that falls between 9:00 pm – 6:59 am by 11:00 am the next day Businesses and property owners are also responsible for providing appropriate weather mats and clean up methods for melted snow upon entering doorways to prevent slip-and-fall accidents on flooring. ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY Even with strict city regulations for snow clearance, you never want to take the chance that someone didn’t do their job. When commuting by foot in the wintertime, always prepare for slippery conditions both inside and out: Wear high traction shoes to combat icy patches and slippery snow Focus on the path you’re walking at all times Try to keep your hands free to brace yourself if you slip Use handrails when going down stairs Avoid using your cell phone while walking to limit distractions. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SLIP AND FALL If you do slip and fall, don’t panic. Follow these steps to make sure you’re covered if you need to file a personal injury claim: 1. Seek medical attention for any injuries sustained in the fall. 2. Report the accident to the store owner, manager, or landlord immediately. 3. Document all information about the accident, recording all necessary information about the injury, conditions of the fall, and take pictures if you’re able. 4. Refrain from making too many statements to the store owner, manager, or landlord that can be used against you later. 5. Call an attorney to discuss your options. If you or a loved one sustained a slip-and-fall injury this winter due to the negligence of another, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact the winning team at Siler & Ingber for your free consultation. Fill out the online form below or call today at 1-877-LAW-4343.
Avoiding Winter Slip and Falls in New York
With our region’s first significant snowfall of the season come and gone, it’s time to start preparing for slippery sidewalks. As the weather gets colder, pedestrians will be faced with winter walking hazards capable of causing serious accidents and injuries. In New York City and it’s boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, there are laws to protect pedestrians who become victims of slip and fall injuries, holding premise owners who neglect to maintain a safe walking surface responsible for damages sustained on their property. Watch Out For Winter Slip and Falls! Slip and fall accidents can happen at any time, all year round. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an average of 2.3 million people visit the emergency room every year for fall-related injuries, with at least 662,000 resulting in hospitalizations. Winter, however, poses its own hazards that highly increase the likelihood of slip and fall accidents: ice and snow. Temperatures in New York are far from consistent during the winter season. With snow and ice melting and freezing over and over, the streets of NYC become battlegrounds for pedestrians just trying to stay on their feet. Black ice and packed down snow can be extremely dangerous for walkers, setting them up to sustain serious injuries such as: traumatic brain injuries spinal cord damage trauma to neck and back broken bones muscle, joint, and damages to soft tissues lacerations and deep bruising While some slip and fall victims only sustain damage to their pride, others sustain injuries that can be life-threatening and causing permanent neurological and/or physical disabilities. Pedestrians can take various precautions to prevent slip and fall accidents while walking but they can do little to protect themselves if forced to walk on surfaces caked with dangerous snow and ice. Premise Owner’s Duty NYC property and business owners have a duty to provide clear and safe walking areas both in and outside of their buildings. These areas include sidewalks, parking lots, roofs, stairs, ramps, and any other areas where pedestrians are permitted to walk on or under on their property. Winter clearance regulations for NYC include clearing ice and snow from these areas during the following time frames: snow that falls between 7:00 am – 4:59 pm within four hours of when snow stops snow that falls between 5:00 pm – 8:59 pm within 14 hours of when snow stops snow that falls between 9:00 pm – 6:59 am by 11:00 am the next day To prevent slip and fall accidents caused by melted ice and snow tracked into buildings, business and property owners must provide appropriate weather mats and clean up methods to contain the mess to prevent slip and fall accidents from occurring. Preparing For Slippery Streets Pedestrians should not rely on the law alone when it comes to protection against slip and fall accidents. Aside from negligent property owners who do not clear their properties adequately, weather patterns and temperatures can change quickly throughout a winter day. It’s important to prepare for the possibility of slippery conditions whenever out walking in the city, consider winter walking safety tips to stay safe: Wear high traction shoes to combat icy patches and slippery snow Walk on well-lit paths Stay alert to where you are walking and what’s in front of you Step down off of curbs instead of out to prevent your feet from sliding Keep your hands free to brace yourself if you fall Use handrails when going up and down stairs Avoid distractions such as cell phones that take your eyes off the sidewalk Know Your Rights In New York City, slip and fall injuries happen every day. It can sometimes be tough to prove a property owner is liable when it comes to injuries caused by a slip and fall accident, particularly when snow and ice conditions can vary greatly within a short period of time. If your injury was a result of one of the following instances, you may be eligible for compensation due to negligence: Sidewalks that were cleared improperly and/or not cleared from snow and ice Properties with long-standing slippery conditions Icy conditions resulting from a water leak Uneven walking areas that allow water to pool and freeze Victims of slip and fall accidents on properties have rights. If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury due to a slip and fall accident, the law firm of Siler & Ingber is here to support you. Contact us today at 1-877-529-4343 for a free legal consultation to review your case and options.
Don’t Be A Victim of Winter!
In the wake of last week’s Blizzard Brody, bitter cold weather hazards in our region have posed an above average risk for sustaining slip and falll injuries. Snow and ice have been especially unforgiving to pedestrians in New York City, who are constantly rushing between sidewalks and buildings during their daily commutes. Falls are the highest cause of injury across the United States. In fact, 2.3 million emergency room visits are related to slip-and-fall accidents every year, with an estimated 662,000 of those cases resulting in hospitalizations! NYC alone saw 24 fatalities from slip-and-fall accidents between 2005-2015. Serious medical conditions can arise from slip-and-fall injuries… Traumatic brain injuries Spinal cord damage Trauma to neck and back Broken bones and fractures Muscle, joint, and damages to soft tissues Lacerations and deep bruising With over 12,750 miles of sidewalks in the city and hundreds of thousands of building fronts to walk in and out of, you may be wondering how it’s possible to avoid a slip-and-fall injury this winter. The good news- the responsibility of your safety is not solely on you! Businesses and Property Owners Have a Duty to Clear! All operating businesses and property owners in NYC have a duty to keep their sidewalks, parking lots, and roofs to allow pedestrians to safely walk. It’s their responsibility to know what the expectations are for the safety of their property and to take the measures needed to remove dangerous snow and ice. Winter clearance regulations for NYC include clearing ice and snow… that falls between 7:00 am – 4:59 pm within four hours of when snow stops that falls between 5:00 pm – 8:59 pm within 14 hours of when snow stops that falls between 9:00 pm – 6:59 am by 11:00 am the next day. Businesses and property owners are also responsible for providing appropriate weather mats and clean up methods for melted snow upon entering door ways to prevent slip-and-fall accidents on flooring! Always Be Prepared for Slippery! Even with strict city regulations for snow clearance, you never want to take the chance that someone didn’t do their job. When commuting by foot in the wintertime, always prepare for slippery conditions both inside and out: Wear high traction shoes to combat icy patches and slippery snow Focus on the path you’re walking at all times Step down off of curbs instead of out to prevent your foot from sliding Try to keep your hands free to brace yourself if you slip Use hand rails when going down stairs Avoid using your cell phone while walking to limit distractions. What to Do When You Slip and Fall If you do slip and fall, don’t panic! Follow these steps to make sure you’re covered if you need to file a personal injury claim: Seek medical attention for any injuries sustained in the fall. Report the accident to the store owner, manager, or landlord immediately. Document all information about the accident, recording all necessary information about the injury, conditions of the fall, and take pictures if you’re able. Refrain from making too many statements to the store owner, manager, or landlord that can be used against you later. Call an attorney to discuss your options. If you or a loved one sustained a slip-and-fall injury this winter due to the negligence of another, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact our winning team at Siler & Ingber for your free consultation. Fill out the online form below or call today at 1-877-718-6079.
