"When I was injured due to inadequate security at a retail center in Columbus, I felt completely lost. This firm quickly stepped in, investigated the facts, and held the property owner accountable for their negligence. They treated my case with dignity and professionalism, securing a settlement that covered my medical bills and lost wages. I highly recommend them for any crime-related injury on someone else's property."
Injury Due to Untreated Ice and Snow Slip and Fall: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
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Ohio Injury Due to Untreated Ice and Snow Slip and Fall: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Untreated Ice and Snow Slip and Fall Injury throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Slip and Fall Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Untreated Ice and Snow Slip and Fall Attorney: We Fight the "Natural Accumulation" Rule
Slipping and falling on untreated ice or snow in an Ohio business's parking lot, sidewalk, or entryway can lead to severe injuries. While Ohio law provides significant protection to property owners in winter, this protection is not absolute.
Our experienced Personal Injury Attorneys understand the complexities of Ohio's premises liability laws regarding winter weather. We specialize in finding the exceptions to the "no-duty winter rule" to hold negligent business owners accountable for your injuries.
Ohio Law and the "No-Duty Winter Rule"
Ohio follows the "natural accumulation" rule, meaning property owners are generally not liable for injuries caused by the natural accumulation of ice and snow. The law assumes that Ohio residents should be aware of the inherent dangers of winter weather.
However, a business owner can be held liable for injuries caused by untreated ice and snow if the hazard meets one of the critical exceptions:
Unnatural Accumulation or Aggravated Condition
A business owner is liable if they are actively negligent in creating or permitting an unnatural accumulation of ice or snow. This happens when the owner's actions—or inaction—make the area substantially more dangerous than it would be naturally. Examples include:
- Defective Drainage: A leaky gutter or poor downspout directing water onto a high-traffic sidewalk where it freezes.
- Improper Plowing/Shoveling: Creating large piles of snow that melt and refreeze into a dangerous, unnatural ice patch in a walkway.
- Failure to Treat: Allowing ice or snow to remain on the surface for an unreasonable amount of time after the property owner had, or should have had, notice of the substantially more dangerous condition.
Hazard Obscured by Snow or Ice
Liability may exist if a natural accumulation of snow or ice covers a separate, hidden hazard (like a pothole, broken curb, or structural defect) that the injured person could not have reasonably anticipated.
Sole Means of Ingress/Egress
In limited circumstances, if the only single, reasonable path to enter or exit the business (ingress and egress) is obstructed by a hazardous accumulation of ice or snow, the owner may be held liable if they had actual knowledge of the hazard.
Building Your Case: Proving Negligence
o successfully overcome the "natural accumulation" defense in your Ohio slip and fall claim, we focus on evidence that proves the business's negligence created an unreasonable risk of harm:
- Maintenance Logs: We demand records showing when, or if, the parking lot or sidewalk was last treated with salt/ice melt or cleared.
- Weather and Surveillance Data: Comparing the time of the fall to weather records and surveillance footage to establish how long the hazard existed and if the business had sufficient time to remedy it.
- Property Defects: Investigating whether a poor design, broken gutter, or cracked pavement contributed to the formation of ice.
- Local Ordinances: Checking the local municipal code (City or Township) for specific snow and ice removal ordinances. Violating a local ordinance may be used to establish negligence per se.
Protecting Your Right to Compensation
A slip and fall on untreated ice or snow can cause debilitating injuries, including fractures, concussions, and permanent back injuries. We fight to secure compensation for all your losses under Ohio law, including:
- Medical Bills: Emergency care, surgical costs, and future physical therapy.
- Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and any reduction in future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress of the injury.
Time is Critical: Ohio has a statute of limitations that limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Do not risk losing your right to compensation by delaying action.
If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall injury due to untreated ice and snow on a business property in Ohio, contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
What Our Clients Say
After prolonged exposure to toxic mold at my workplace, I started experiencing severe health issues. Proving the connection to the business's negligence felt impossible until I hired this firm. They were brilliant, connecting my health problems to the landlord's failure to address water damage. They gave me my health and my life back by securing a significant settlement. For mold-related injury cases, they are unparalleled."
"My accident at a poorly maintained apartment complex pool in Dayton was terrifying. I suffered a serious head injury. This law firm was incredible; they immediately started investigating the pool's safety records and maintenance log. Their work resulted in a successful claim against the property management. If you've been injured at a pool in Ohio, you want this firm on your side."
"The defective stairs at a restaurant in Toledo caused a significant knee injury. The property owner initially refused to pay, but this firm took on the challenge. They brought in experts to show the code violations and built an undeniable case. Thanks to their legal expertise, I received a fair settlement that allows me to focus on my recovery. They truly excel with cases involving unsafe property conditions."
"My child was tragically bitten by a dog at a neighbor's property in Akron. Navigating the aftermath and dealing with the owners was incredibly stressful. The team at this law firm was compassionate yet fiercely effective. They understood Ohio's dog bite laws thoroughly and fought to ensure my child received the necessary medical care and compensation for their trauma. They are the best dog bite attorneys in the state."
"I had a terrible slip and fall accident on a wet floor at a grocery store in Cincinnati that led to a serious fracture. The store tried to deny responsibility, but this firm's meticulous preparation and dedication proved the store's negligence. They were communicative throughout the entire process, making a stressful situation much easier to handle. Choose them if you need a top-notch slip and fall lawyer."
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PH: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 • OFFICE LOCATION • 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220