Winter in Canada can bring with it beauty, winter activities like skiing or snowboarding, and all the other things that make British Columbia a desirable winter destination. However, winter can also bring with it unique hazards, particularly when it comes to slips and fall accidents. These accidents can result in severe injuries and consequences that can have significant repercussions for injured individuals.
Who is Legally Responsible for Winter Slip and Falls?
As with most questions when it comes to the law the answer is, it depends.
Slip and falls in winter are governed by occupier’s liability laws, which deal with the legal responsibilities of property owners to maintain safe conditions. Property owners, including homeowners, business owners, and municipalities, have a duty of care to the people who visit their premises. This duty includes taking reasonable measures to prevent foreseeable dangers, such as icy or slippery conditions, from injuring people.
However, just because you’re injured in a slip and fall does not necessarily mean that the property owner, or whoever created the dangerous situation will be at fault. There are several factors that come into play, such as whether the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous conditions, the reasonableness of the property owner’s actions in addressing the dangerous condition, and whether the injured party contributed to the accident in any way through their own negligence (for example, not wearing appropriate footwear in the circumstances, taking a path you knew to be dangerous, not acting appropriately in the circumstances, etc.).
Common Causes of Winter Slip and Falls
While injury can occur in many ways, the most common causes of slip and fall injuries in the winter months are:
- A failure to remove snow and ice
- A failure to properly salt or sand slippery surfaces
- A failure to regularly maintain a property
- A failure to use warning signs when a danger or potential danger is known to exist
- Inadequate lighting
- Falling snow or ice
Serious Injuries Resulting from Winter Slip and Falls
While often portrayed in media as having a humorous element, there is nothing funny about the injuries that can arise from a slip and fall incident. Winter slips and falls can result in very serious injuries, including concussions, fractures, brain injuries, and more.
Seeking Compensation for Winter Slip and Fall Injuries
If you have been injured in a winter slip and fall accident due to the negligence of another person or company, you can get compensation for your injuries. Contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Taylor & Blair LLP today for a free consultation on your case.