Winter slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries and if you fall on a person’s or business’ property, it may be because the owner or manager of the property did not take sufficient precautions for your safety or properly maintain the walkways. This may be particularly true if no one cleared the snow or attempted to prevent or remove the ice.
Winter weather leads to snow build up and ice on sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and other pathways. With winter weather comes duties and responsibilities for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities. Municipalities, businesses, and homeowners are responsible for clearing the snow and ice away from walking surfaces and doing what they can to reduce the risk of slippery surfaces. Owners who ignore winter hazards that put you and other guests and customers at risk may be negligent under occupiers’ liability law and responsible for your injuries.
If you have been injured in a fall due to snow or ice, please contact cassidyHEA injury law as soon as possible at 403-777-1099. It is important that you call us quickly so that we can takes steps to preserve evidence and to help you understand your rights and the potential to recover compensation for your injuries.
Property Owners’ Responsibilities
Section 5 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act of Alberta states:
An occupier of premises owes a duty to every visitor on the occupier's premises to take such care as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable to see that the visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which the visitor is invited or permitted by the occupier to be there or is permitted by law to be there.
This means that owners and occupiers of property owe their guests and customers a duty of reasonable care regarding the state of the property. Owners and occupiers must keep the property reasonably safe for visitors. This does not mean it must be perfectly maintained or that every little problem be corrected immediately. Obvious hazards that others should notice can be left for a period of time or may warned about with a sign.
These types of claims are very complicated and complex and should not be handled without a lawyer. Let cassidyHEA injury law help you: call us at 403-777-1099.