Icy Sidewalks can Harm Pedestrians
Every owner of a business or property has the legal duty the keep the premises in a safe condition for visitors. This becomes significantly more difficult once the winter hits in Minnesota and sidewalks can become icy on a regular basis. Still, in order to keep the premises safe, owners need to remove the ice when possible to protect the safety of their customers and visitors. If you slip and fall on ice on someone else’s property, you may have the legal right to seek compensation for your injuries and related losses.
It is important to note that not every slip and fall case involving ice will result in compensation from the property owner. For instance, imagine the sidewalks were safe when a business closed and then ice accumulated after the sun went down and the temperatures dropped. If you slipped and fell on that sidewalk before owners discovered the ice or had the opportunity to remove it, they would likely not be held liable for your injuries. This is why it is imperative to have your rights evaluated by an experienced premises liability attorney in Minnesota.
Who is Liable?
Different types of property owners are responsible for ice removal, including the following:
- Commercial – Owners of stores, service-related businesses, hotels, shopping centers, among others.
- Residential – Owners of houses, multi-family complexes, townhomes, and condos.
- Government – Federal buildings, post offices, courthouses, and any public sidewalks.
Ice-related slip and fall cases can have unique issues depending on where you fell and who owned the property. For example, cases against the government can be significantly more complicated than cases against private property owners. While Minnesota law does give injured victims the right to bring a claim if they are injured due to the accumulation of snow and ice, there are special rules and procedures regarding government cases.
Contact our Minnesota Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
The premises liability lawyers at McEwen & Kestner, PLLC understand the dangers of snow and ice in Minnesota. Please call us at 651-224-3833 for a free consultation if you have been injured.
