Winter Storms Raise Slip-and-Fall Concerns

 Most New York City residents have grown used to experiencing a couple of storms every winter season. However, mega storms such as Jonas that hit the city recently and others that are being predicted to strike with similar magnitude in future winters are beginning to raise concerns regarding the city’s state of readiness. The effects of most winter storms, even moderate ones, can definitely prove challenging for commuters, especially pedestrians who are at an increased risk of slip-and-fall accidents and trip-and-fall accidents.
New York City’s ability to restore normalcy was put to test in the aftermath of winter storm Jonas. While most city streets were cleared of snow within a day or two allowing vehicles to travel, the situation was quite different for pedestrians as mounds of slush and snow were left piled up on sidewalks. It is a fact that the city has planned and implemented changes in the recent years that have made streets friendlier to pedestrians of all ages and abilities due to redesigned pedestrian crossings, revamped bike lanes and retimed stoplights. However there is more work to be done, particularly in dealing with the effects of severe weather conditions.

Challenge for Pedestrians
When heaps of slush and snow accumulate at curbsides or sidewalks it becomes difficult for pedestrians to navigate. And it may prove impossible for the disabled or the elderly to get across these slippery mounds. City plows tend to push the snow up against the curb, into bike lanes and onto sidewalks. In many instances, private snow blower usage may also move snow to locations where it becomes a hazard to pedestrians.
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero program to eliminate traffic fatalities and reduce pedestrian accidents has already shown impressive results. But it is important that this program address pedestrian safety in winter and invest in clearing pathways for them effectively and in a timely manner.
Clearing Snow and Ice
Property managers and/or property owners have responsibilities when it comes to clearing snow and ice. The city code states that every person who is in charge of any building or lot in the city that has a paved sidewalk must remove the snow, ice, dirt or any material from the sidewalk within four hours after the snow ceases to fall. There are certain exceptions and explanations of this rule.
The Buildings Department advises that property managers and/or property owners remove ice and snow from rooftops. Water from melting snow can collect on roofs and present a threat to the structural integrity of the building. Colder temperatures may also lead to the water forming icicles that may fall on passersby and pose a safety threat, if not removed.
Steps You Can Take
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident involving snow or ice, there are a number of steps you can take in order to protect your rights and potentially strengthen your claim. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the icy area that contributed to your fall. Try to take shots from different angles showing the surroundings. Shoot video as well. If you are injured and need to go to the hospital right away, ask a family member or friend to take the photos for you.
It can also be extremely useful to obtain eyewitness statements from anyone who may have seen you fall. While it’s helpful to have whoever was with you testify that you actually fell and got injured, it would be even more valuable to have an independent witness corroborate your statements. Be sure to get contact information for anyone who may have seen you fall.
It is also critical that you seek prompt medical attention, diagnosis and treatments. Medical records are vital because they create a documented connection between the slip-and-fall incident and your injuries. Be sure to tell the doctor who is treating you what happened, how you fell and what caused it. That information should be a part of your medical record.
Compensation for Victims
Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents often cause serious and debilitating injuries. If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a slip-and-fall accident or trip-and-fall accident, the experienced New New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our law firm recovered $1,700,000 for a woman who slipped and fell and received no hospital or medical treatment for one month after the accident.
Please call our offices TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) to discuss your slip-and-fall case or trip-and-fall injury or accident case. WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/01/whose-fault-is-the-slushy-pile-at-the-curb.html