Sidewalks, steps, and walkways need to be shoveled and salted frequently during the winter season, as the Northeast United States, including Connecticut, gets substantial snow. When there's snow, it's slippery. Because of this, we see an increase in slip and falls that result in someone being hurt.
Injuries sustained as a result of a slip and fall can range from minor to serious and require medical care. Shoveling sidewalks, plowing streets, and salting walkways and stairs are all legal responsibilities shared by property owners and municipalities. When this is not taken care of, a person can sue them for negligence or premises liability. Property owners need to take the necessary precautions or risk being held liable if someone gets hurt as a result.
Continue reading for further information about slip and fall injuries in Connecticut during the winter below. However, if you've suffered an injury, contact the CT slip and fall lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, to discuss your case. We are here to help you.
Who Has The Legal Responsibility to Remove Snow in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, snow removal is the responsibility of the property owner. However, it's worth remembering that some cities may have their own set of rules. There's also other variables that come into play, such as the type of property, whether you own or rent, and more. Different regulations apply to snow removal from single-family and multi-family homes, for instance. In addition, the removal of snow is often the responsibility of the landlord, however some will shift this duty to the renter in the lease. Therefore, you should research the laws of your city and your specific property.
In general, the responsibility of removing snow falls on the owner of the property.
State highways in Connecticut are required by law to be cleared of snow by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, whereas local and city roads are the responsibility of individual municipalities.
Injuries on Ice- or Snow-Covered Sideways and Walkways?
A completely different set of conditions applies to walkways, sidewalks, and parking lots. Depending on specific laws in each city, the owner or tenant of abutting property is typically the one tasked with clearing snow and ice from the pavement. On private land, the owner is also responsible for the upkeep of any walkways or parking spaces. The municipality is normally in charge of maintaining such places on municipal land and the adjacent sidewalks.
As an example, property owners in the city of Hartford are obligated to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within six hours after a snowstorm has ended (or to spread sand over any remaining ice). If snow falls overnight, homeowners have until three hours after daylight to clear it from the walkway. If the owner does not comply, they risk getting a ticket and paying a $99 fee, which will be assessed again the following day. Property owners who fail to clear snow and ice in accordance with local regulations may be held liable for negligence if a resident is hurt on their property as a result. Similarly, if someone slips and falls on snow in a parking lot and has injuries, the property owner may be held accountable.
Commons Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
It's uncommon for someone to suffer life-threatening injuries from a slip and fall accident. When it does, however, you can have a lot of discomfort. A number of serious injuries, such as those listed below, can occur from slip-and-fall accidents.
- Fractured bones
- Strains or sprains
- Back injuries
- Cuts and scrapes
Each individual will experience pain differently. What severely injures one individual might have little effect on another. For this reason, laws do not specify which slip-and-fall incidents merit monetary damages and which do not. Instead, assuming you're inside the statute of limitations, you can present your evidence in court.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Claim?
If you've been hurt after a fall on snow or ice, you have a two-year time limit on filing a slip-and-fall lawsuit. Whether you're submitting a claim for an injury or for property damage, this rule applies.
Two years can go by a lot faster than you think, and the clock starts ticking the day you're injured. So, it's recommended that you file your injury claim as soon as possible.
Hire a CT Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you have been hurt on a snowy or icy sidewalk due to the negligence of the property owner, you may want to consult with a CT slip and fall lawyer who knows the laws surrounding such injuries.
Here at the law office of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we have empathy for our clients and want to do everything we can to assist them, especially when they are suffering from an accident that was no fault of theirs.
Schedule a no-cost consultation with us today, and let us help you.