Preventing Winter Weather Slip-And-Fall Accidents in Philly

If you are a resident of Philly, then you know that the cold weather can be brutal. Snow and ice present significant challenges, and they are a leading cause of wintertime slip-and-fall accidents. Somehow, we continually find that property owners fail to take the necessary steps to mitigate winter-weather-caused slip-and-fall incidents on their premises. Here, we want to discuss some steps that property owners and pedestrians can take to prevent a serious slip-and-fall injury from occurring.

Property owner responsibility

Property owners have a duty to ensure the safety of those who may come onto their purposes. This includes taking steps to mitigate any known risks that could occur. During the winter in Philadelphia, these known risks include slip and fall accidents caused by snow and ice.

Nobody expects a property owner to stand outside at all times to shovel snow or melt the ice away. However, as soon as a property owner is able to do so safely, they should regularly inspect areas where pedestrians are known to walk. This can include commonly traversed sidewalks and pathways. If a property owner notices a substantial accumulation of snow and ice that could cause a hazard, they should take steps to immediately remedy the situation. If they are unable to do so quickly, they should post warning signs and cordon off the area until they can remediate the problem.

Pedestrian responsibility

Members of the public also have a duty to exercise reasonable care if they are going through an area where they know or could reasonably expect there will be snow or ice on the ground. Pedestrians should take steps to avoid slip-and-fall accidents altogether. To that end, we offer a few tips for Philadelphia residents as the cold weather sets in:

• Pay attention to the pathway: Even if you are sure that the pathway has been shoveled or covered with salt/sand, they may still be some hazardous patches.
• Use handrails when available: If there are handrails on stairs along a pathway, use them to study your balance and prevent a fall.
• Wear shoes with good traction: Many potential slip-and-fall accidents can be avoided by wearing shoes that have good traction. Whether you work outside or are simply walking around during the winter, good shoes can go a long way.
• Wipe your feet when you go inside: If it is snowy or wet outside, this can easily cause a slick floor just inside of a building. If you wipe your feet after going inside, you reduce the risk of a slip-and-fall.

Call our slip-and-fall accident lawyers for a free consultation

If you or somebody you care about has sustained a slip-and-fall injury on someone else’s premises, contact Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. for help with your case today. Our team has a thorough understanding of slip-and-fall accidents, and we have the resources necessary to investigate the claim and secure the compensation you are entitled to. This can include coverage of your medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Philadelphia slip and fall accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 866-597-8572.