One of the major hazards of living in New York City is dealing with large amounts of snow and ice. Every winter, New Yorkers receive a heavy dose of "winter wonderland." While the sight of falling and accumulating snow can be pretty, a slip and fall on the snow or ice can be pretty painful.
Many New Yorkers don't realize that landlords and homeowners have the responsibility of clearing snow and ice to prevent slip-and-fall injuries. If a person is injured while walking on snow or ice that should have been cleared, the injured victim can sue for damages associated with the slip-and-fall.
Construction and other on-site workers can also be injured after a snowstorm if the site is not properly cleared of snow and ice hazards. Workers' compensation may be important, in addition to a personal injury suit against the person responsible for the job site hazards.
With all of the dangers associated with winter walking, driving and travel during the winter in New York City, it is important to know what to do after a slip-and-fall injury.
What Do I Do After a Snow or Ice Slip-and-Fall?
There are several steps that should be taken after a snow or ice accumulation slip-and-fall. The following list provides a brief overview:
- Seek medical attention: If the injuries stemming from a slip-and-fall are serious, such as a brain injury or back and spinal cord injury, the injured victim should seek immediate medical attention.
- Note the ground conditions: Shortly after an accident, it is important to mentally note and then write down the ground conditions. It is critical to remember whether the ground was snow-covered, icy, uncleared or partially uncleared of snow, ice and other winter debris.
- Gather evidence: After a slip-and-fall accident, evidence can include where the accident happened, photos of the condition of the ground, witness information, such as names and phone numbers, and the landowner or homeowner where the accident occurred.
- Contact an experienced attorney: A New York personal injury lawyer can help an injured victim preserve evidence and investigate who may be held responsible for the medical costs, injuries and lost wages after a snow and ice slip-and-fall accident.
After a slip-and-fall accident involving an injury, it is often difficult to remember these important steps. If you are unable to gather evidence and report the accident yourself, contacting an experienced personal injury attorney can take the load off of you and allow you to focus on your accident recovery.
