As the winter season begins, Illinois residents are preparing to deal with cold and inclement weather. While most people will be taking precautions to protect themselves while at home or while driving, it can be impossible to foresee every potential hazard. This is especially true when it comes to snow and ice, which can greatly increase the chances of slip and fall accidents that lead to serious injuries. If you have been injured in this type of accident while you are in a public place or on someone else’s property, you will want to work with an attorney to determine how you can receive financial compensation.
Liability for Fall Accidents Caused by Winter Weather
During the winter, slip and fall accidents may occur on sidewalks or other outdoor walkways due to the accumulation of snow and ice. These accidents can also take place indoors at locations such as restaurants or stores due to wet floors caused by snow, sleet, or rain entering through a building’s doorways or water dripping from people’s shoes and clothes.
Property owners or tenants who are in control of a property are required to protect the safety of their visitors. If a property owner does not take steps to address hazards, they may be held liable for injuries that occur because of their negligence. For instance, a store owner may be responsible for slip and fall accidents that occurred because they did not clean up wet floors, did not use floor mats to prevent the accumulation of water near a building’s entrance, or did not provide warnings about slipping hazards.
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