Snow and Icy Conditions

Snow And Icy Conditions Falls Under Pennsylvania Law

It’s no secret that here in Pennsylvania that we get more than our share of rough weather, especially in winter.

Winter wonderlands can quickly turn into nightmares when property owners fail to clear snow and ice on their sidewalks and parking lots – and that negligence leads to horrible slip and fall accidents.

Unfortunately, we see a lot of these cases in our offices at Lenahan & Dempsey. Some of the Slip and Fall injuries can be life altering and some are even deadly.

If you have been injured by the negligence of someone who failed to clear snow and ice from their property, call us as soon as possible at 1.888.536.2328.

Lenahan & Dempsey Is A Serious Personal Injury Law Firm

We are a regional law firm with a national reputation for aggressively protecting the rights of our clients.

Our work has led to the recovery of Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients. Our work has also caught the attention of Judges and our Peers who have named us to Best Law Firms in America.

We even have individual lawyers who have been named to Best Lawyers in America --- and this background and winning tradition can be put to work for you with a simple phone call to 1.888.536.2328.

There’s no obligation when you call and there’s no fee until you get the compensation you deserve to cover lost wages, pain and suffering, medical bills and more.

Common Causes of Icy Condition Falls We Have Seen

Icy conditions can arise from various weather conditions, including:

1. Freezing Rain - When rain falls and freezes on contact with cold surfaces, it creates a slippery layer of ice – as all Pennsylvanians are aware.
2. Snow Melt - When snow melts during the day and refreezes at night, it can create hazardous patches of ice.
3. Formation of Black Ice – Black Ice often cannot be readily seen on icy sidewalks or parking areas. But it is widely known this ice easily forms and needs to be addressed by property owners.
4. Poor Drainage - Poor drainage can easily lead to water pooling in certain areas, which can freeze and create dangerous conditions.
5. Neglected Common Winter Maintenance - Failure to remove snow or ice, failure to properly treat sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots with salt or sand can exacerbate icy conditions.

Property Owners In Pennsylvania Are Required To Maintain Their Property

In Pennsylvania, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions on their property, sidewalks and parking lots. This duty applies to public and private property and failing to address icy conditions can lead to liability for any injuries that occur as a result. Here are the key legal concepts related to icy conditions:

1. Negligence

To establish a claim for a slip and fall accident due to icy conditions, your Lenahan & Dempsey attorney must prove that the property owner was negligent. This involves showing:

- The property owner had a duty to keep the premises safe.
- The owner breached that duty by failing to address hazardous ice/snow conditions.
- This breach directly caused your injury.

2. Public And Private Property

Public Property - Government entities are responsible for maintaining sidewalks, parking lots, and other public areas on their premises. However, claims against municipalities can be complex, often involving strict deadlines and specific procedures. You need to notify us as quickly as possible if you are injured on Government owned property.

Private Property - Homeowners and business owners must take reasonable steps to ensure their property is safe. This includes clearing ice and snow and treating surfaces to prevent slipping.

Steps to Take After an Injury

If you are injured due to icy conditions, follow these steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention - Have a healthcare professional treat and document your injuries.
2. Take Photos - If you are unable, ask a family member or friend to take photos of the icy or snow conditions that led to your fall, and note any contributing factors, such as lack of salt or sand treatment.
3. Gather Witness Statements – Note the names of anyone who may have witnessed your fall. Lenahan & Dempsey will interview those witnesses to help prove your claim.
4. Report the Incident - We can properly notify the property owner or manager on your behalf about the accident and document your report.

Call us at 1.888.536.2328 for additional guidance.

Why Call Lenahan & Dempsey?

Our success in winning Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients for all types of serious injuries has led to Judges and our peers voting us for inclusion in The Best Law Firms in America, and we are listed as a Tier 1 Law Firm (the highest rating). Eight of our lawyers are listed in Best Lawyers in America and eight are listed as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Three, including Firm President John Lenahan, Jr., Managing Partner Timothy Lenahan and Attorney Matthew Dempsey are listed in The Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania (out of over 48,000 Pennsylvania lawyers).

Timothy Lenahan is also Best Lawyers in America’s Top Insurance Lawyer for his representation of the injured fighting against large insurers for the region of Northeastern/Central Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. He has previously been named Best Lawyers Top Personal Injury Lawyer for that region for his work fighting for the rights of injured people. This level of professional recognition is important because just about all Personal Injury cases, including Nursing Home Medication Errors are often highly complicated insurance cases.

What Can You Expect When Working With Lenahan & Dempsey

We have recovered Hundreds and Hundreds of Millions for our clients across almost all fields of Personal Injury, Insurance Bad Faith and Workers’ Compensation law.

We fully understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a case can take on victims and their families. Our highly dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals can point to a history of success supporting our clients and winning the money they need to rebuild their lives.