The onset of winter weather makes many of the potential hazards of negligent property maintenance more dangerous.
From walkways covered by snow to icy parking lots to slipper steps and entrances, property owners need to take care in winter to protect visitors, tenants, and customers from property hazards. When property owners neglect to maintain their property and warn of hazards, visitors may suffer injuries from slip-and-falls or other accidents.
The Lexington, KY, premises liability lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are ready to uphold your rights if you’ve been hurt due to a property owner’s negligence. We work to help our clients rebuild their lives after serious injuries.
Our law firm has recovered more than $400 million in compensation for our clients. If you were injured in a slip-and-fall or other accident on someone else’s property, we can help you seek compensation for your injuries caused by negligent property maintenance.
Not Clearing Slippery Sidewalks and Walkways
An obvious danger of winter weather is slippery walkways and sidewalks. Local governments in Kentucky have varying laws regarding liability for the maintenance of sidewalks.
In Lexington, residents and businesses are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their property. A Lexington city ordinance requires sidewalk clearing when more than four inches of snow has fallen and a street has been plowed.
In that situation, if a property owner doesn’t make sure sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice or that a warning is posted, the property owner may be financially responsible if an accident occurs. Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to major injuries, including head trauma.
As people enter and exit a commercial building, they may track snow or ice in with them. This can cause dangerous conditions near entrances and exits. Customers or guests may not be looking out for wet floors when they’re inside. As they enter the building, they can easily lose their footing on a slippery floor surface, especially if the floor is made from tile or another slick material.
Managers should make sure any slippery floors are cleaned and should post warnings of slippery surfaces until they are cleared. To minimize slip-and-fall accidents, property and business owners should place non-slip mats near entrances and exits in winter. These mats can help people dry their shoes and avoid tracking snow and ice into the building.
If you are injured on the premises of a commercial property, you should notify the property owner or property management company of your injury and seek medical attention for your injuries.
Not Cleaning the Roof or Gutters
Snow or ice on the roof of a building presents a potential hazard. If snow isn’t removed from the roof after a storm, it can pile up if the weather isn’t warm enough to melt the snow. Over time, the accumulation of snow can put pressure on the roof of the building. If enough snow builds up, it can eventually cause the roof to collapse, potentially causing severe injuries and property damage.
If ice builds up on gutters, large icicles can form. If an icicle falls on someone’s head, it can cause severe head injuries.
Contact a Lexington, Kentucky Personal Injury Attorney for Help
Proving a property owner is liable for your injuries after an accident can be a challenge. In most cases, you’ll need to show that the property owner knew about the hazard and ignored it or that the property owner should have known about the potential danger. You’ll need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
The premises liability lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer have the experience and Kentucky Courage™ to hold property owners accountable for unsafe property conditions. We will use our experience to build the strongest case possible for compensation for your injuries. You need to contact an experienced attorney immediately after seeking medical treatment.
We’ll take care of the legal work and communications with the insurance company while you focus on getting the medical care you need. If we can’t reach a reasonable settlement with the property owner’s insurance company, we will be prepared to take your case to court to fight for maximum compensation. Call our office at (877) 809-5352 for a free initial consultation.
