A slip and fall injury can occur to anyone at any time. No matter your age, a slip and fall can cause great harm and potentially life-threatening injuries that may require emergency services. If you have recently suffered a personal injury due to a slip or fall accident, get in touch with our trusted attorney Mike Warren, in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Some of you may be wondering, “why do I need a lawyer from an accident I could have prevented myself?” Sure, your first inclination from a slip and fall accident is that you stepped the wrong way or that you didn’t pay enough attention. Although, a merchant or a homeowner may be at fault for your injuries.
Different Types of Liability in Slip and Fall Cases
So, how do you know if your accident was due to bad luck or if another party was liable for your injuries? If you think that it’s relatively straightforward that the property owner’s negligence led to the accident, then you must get a lawsuit filed (statue of limitations) within two years. Depending on the state, weather liability may apply to the city, business owner, or homeowner.
Since the Midwest is notorious for unsafe winter conditions during this time of year, it’s a homeowner’s responsibility to maintain safe conditions on their property. This includes clearing out snow from walkways and driveways. But according to Ohio Law, “there is no legal obligation in Ohio to shovel and clear sidewalks, homeowners should at least try to maintain them.”
Although, your city or township in Ohio may have an ordinance that requires merchants and residents to keep walkways clear of snow or ice. The winter ordinance may not implicate that someone should be at fault for someone else’s slip and fall, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prove it in court.
Common Slip and Fall Arguments in Court
Now, let’s say that there was a particular crack or unmaintained feature from a property that directly caused you to slip and suffer from an injury. Then, you should hire attorney Mike Warren to beat the case for you in court. Here are a few counter-arguments you may hear in court:
– The plaintiff was not wearing appropriate footwear
– The property or dangerous weather conditions should have been obvious
– The plaintiff failed to understand the warning signage or ignored safety cones
– The plaintiff was using their phone or distracted in another way
– The plaintiff was walking in an unauthorized area
Whatever the defendant’s arguments may be, our law firm will be by your side through each step of the process to make a strong case that details the property owner’s liability. Get in touch with attorney Mike Warren today for a free consultation!
