As the seasons change and bring about winter weather conditions, many people suffer slip and fall accidents and injuries due to cold weather dangers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slip and fall accidents result in about 17,000 fatalities annually and many, many more injuries. While not all of these accidents occur due to winter weather conditions, snow and ice do increase a person’s chances of having a same-level fall.
When someone suffers a same-level fall because a property owner did not take the responsible steps to ensure the safety of the property, serious injuries can occur. A slip and fall on grass are bad enough, but when the hard, frozen ground is involved, the injuries can be serious, including:
- Head trauma – concussion, open head wound, skull fracture, traumatic brain injury
- Upper extremity injuries - shoulder injuries, shoulder fractures, rotator cuff tears, clavicle fracture, elbow dislocation, wrist, hand, and finger injuries
- Lower extremity injuries – dislocated hip, femoral head fracture, pelvic fracture, knee and ligament injuries, broken leg, fractured ankle, and feet injuries
If snow or ice is left on walkways around office buildings, apartment complexes, supermarkets, or stores, and it results in a fall injury, there are a number of parties potentially liable, including:
- Employer
- Property management company
- Apartment landlord
- Maintenance company
- City
While everyone has a duty to walk carefully and watch where they are going, property owners have a duty of care to maintain the premises for their tenants, employees, and guests. If you fell from winter weather dangers and believe that you have a Georgia premises liability case, you need to get medical care and call a skilled Atlanta slip and fall lawyer at Shane Smith Law to find out about your rights. Call (980) 246-2656 for a complimentary case consultation today.