If you live in New England, winter weather is simply a part of life. In fact, whether you are dealing with snow, ice, sleet or frigid temperatures, you will inevitably experience severe weather conditions during a New England winter.
However, even if you are used to dealing with our harsh winters, it doesn’t change the fact that snow and ice can wreak havoc on sidewalks and parking lots – often making them slippery and difficult to walk on. Indeed, countless individuals suffer serious injuries after slipping and falling on icy sidewalks and parking lots every year. Fortunately, though, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries under a legal principle known as premises liability.
Establishing Liability
Essentially, property owners is Massachusetts, such business owners and landlords, have a duty to keep their properties in a reasonably safe condition – particularly when it comes to protecting shoppers and tenants from icy walkways and parking lots.
In the past, slip-and-fall victims in Massachusetts had to prove their accidents were the result of an unnatural accumulation of snow and ice on the property before the owner would be liable for their injuries. However, this requirement no longer exists, meaning victims may be able to seek compensation as long as they can show the property owner acted unreasonably given the circumstances, such as failing to properly salt, sand, shovel or plow walkways or parking lots.
