Seasonal changes occur like clockwork, but winter can be unexpectedly hazardous. Snow and ice can create dangerous conditions that, especially when not handled properly, can lead to serious injuries. If the owner of a property fails to remove snow and ice from their property and you are injured, the owner may be responsible to pay your medical bills and compensate you for your pain and injuries. You may also have a case if the owner failed to salt or put down melting agents and maintain it because refreezing may occur. If this happens and you’re not at fault, you may need Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss, snow and ice accident attorneys in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.
Why Choose Snow and Ice Injury Lawyers Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss?
As experienced snow and ice accident attorneys in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, we treat our clients like family to help them be fully compensated for their injuries. When the winter months hit and accidents occur, we are here to help. With a quick call, you can speak directly to one of our snow and ice injury lawyers. Our clients receive support with personalized attention and quick responses, and we even address ancillary concerns such as where to go to get medical care.
What to Do After a Snow and Ice Personal Injury
- Seek Medical Attention Promptly: Get the medical help you need and address your immediate injuries.
- Document the Scene If You Can: Take photos of where you fell or what caused your fall, get witness names, and note the time, date, and particular winter weather conditions. If you’re too injured to do so, attorneys at Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss will collect evidence on your behalf if you have a case.
- Report the Incident: This could be to the property owner, manager, or relevant authorities.
- Call Us: The sooner our attorneys get started, the stronger your snow and ice accident case will be.
- Focus on Getting Better: Let our snow and ice injury lawyers handle the legal aspects while you recover.
Common Causes of Snow and Ice Accidents
Injuries can result from the accumulation of snow and ice, including in residential and commercial situations. Minor slips can be a part of the season, but a major fall is a greater extreme. A property owner’s failure to properly treat ice or snow could make the owner responsible for your injuries. A recent Philadelphia study showed that injuries from falls happened most frequently in the morning on days with high precipitation, especially when many people are going to work or school. This often happens before snow or ice removal takes place. Surfaces that refreeze after a thaw has occurred are also a hazard that the property owner may be responsible for. Snow and ice injury lawyers can help in these situations.
Common causes include:
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Determining Liability
In Philadelphia, property owners are legally required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and pathways within six hours after a snowfall ends. They can receive fines and potential liability for injuries sustained on the property. The “Hills and Ridges Doctrine” in Pennsylvania law also applies, which means property owners must do something about significant accumulations of snow and ice that pose a danger to pedestrians, depending on the extent of the accumulation.
Not sure whether you have a legal personal injury case? Contact the snow and ice accident attorneys at Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss for a free consultation.
The Legal Process: Step-By-Step
- Free Consultation – We review your snow and ice injury case at no cost to you.
- Investigation – We gather relevant evidence, interview witnesses, and build your case.
- Medical and Professional Documentation – We consult relevant medical authorities to prove your injuries and damages.
- Negotiation – We fight to get you the full compensation you deserve.
- Settlement or Trial – While most snow and ice injury cases end in a settlement, we’ll be prepared to go to trial on your behalf.
- No Win, no Fee – Our snow and ice injury lawyers only get paid if you receive compensation.
Contact Our Philadelphia Snow and Ice Accident Attorneys
A slip and fall accident due to ice and snow doesn’t need to be the end of the road. Call us today so one of our personal injury attorneys can gather the evidence and information needed to get you the compensation you deserve. Schedule your free consultation and review your case with a knowledgeable snow and ice injury lawyer. We can even meet by Zoom or come to you if you’re too injured to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a snow or ice accident claim in Pennsylvania?
What evidence should I save?
The sooner you gather information, the better. We often ask clients to share:
- Photos or short videos of the icy area before cleanup.
- Witness names, contact details, and weather screenshots.
- The official report or ticket number, if one was issued.
Our snow and ice accident attorneys can help if you couldn’t take pictures right away. We can often retrieve weather logs or nearby security footage.
What compensation could be available?
Clients may be reimbursed for a wide range of losses. For instance, emergency care, therapy, missed paychecks, and emotional challenges that follow a hard fall.
Some cases involve long-term counseling for fear or anxiety around walking outdoors. Our snow and ice injury lawyers carefully document every part of your recovery story to show the full impact.
What should I do if the ice melted before I could report it?
That’s common, especially during quick warm-ups. Here’s what will help our snow and ice accident attorneys the most:
- Take photos of your injuries, if you’re able to.
- Write down the date, time, and exact location.
- Save the names of witnesses or employees who saw the conditions.
Even without photos of the ice itself, your notes and medical records can tell a strong story.
What happens if I was partly at fault for slipping?
Pennsylvania uses a shared-fault system (modified comparative negligence). That means if you played a small part (for instance, rushing in shoes with poor grip), you may still collect compensation, though it could be reduced by your share of responsibility. We focus on the facts that minimize that number so our Philadelphia snow and ice accident attorneys can strengthen your case.
Who’s responsible when snow isn’t cleared on time?
It depends on where you fell and who controls that space. Sidewalks, store lots, and public walkways each have different maintenance duties. Private property owners are expected to treat ice within a few hours after a storm stops. When they delay or ignore refreezing, they can often be held accountable. If you have a case, our snow and ice injury lawyers will help determine who was responsible.
