Spinal Cord Injuries From Falls on Ice and Snow
The holidays may be behind us, but there are still a few weeks of winter weather ahead for residents of Alaska. Snow, ice, sleet, and other hazardous conditions make it treacherous to navigate driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and public thoroughfares. These slick surfaces increase the potential for slip and fall accidents, which often cause spinal cord injuries. It hardly seems fair that a property owner’s failure to maintain the premises could lead to serious, catastrophic injuries – and the wide range of losses that accompany them.
Alaska premises liability laws do provide you with legal options after suffering spinal cord injuries, so it is good to know that you may recover compensation in a slip and fall accident. You can trust your Alaska spinal cord injuries lawyer to handle the details, but some basic information may be useful.
Overview of Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents
Premises liability falls under the umbrella of personal injury legal concepts, so these cases are based upon negligence. They focus on the actions of property owners who breach the duty of care by failing to maintain the space in a reasonably safe condition. In the context of accidents that occur due to snow and ice, the property owner may be negligent by:
- Failing to remove snow as required by the Anchorage Municipal Code;
- Refusing to alleviate icy conditions after receiving a report of injuries;
- Removing snow and ice in a careless manner that creates a risk of harm;
- Not posting signs to warn about slippery conditions; and,
- Other careless misconduct.
Note that negligence laws may impose the duty to maintain safe premises on additional parties aside from the entity that owns the real estate. After a slip and fall, you may be able to pursue:
- A business owner;
- A property management company;
- A tenant leasing space within the structure, such as an office, store, or restaurant;
- A promotions company that hosted an event on the property; or,
- The company hired by the property owner to remove snow.
The Legal Process in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
While there may be multiple parties to pursue in a premises liability case, you will typically be dealing with an insurance company when seeking compensation for your losses. After filing your claim, you may be able to settle with the insurer for a reasonable amount. However, you may need to take your case to court if the company will not agree to your demands. Whether in settlement negotiations or litigation, you could be entitled to receive monetary damages for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Rely on an Alaska Serious and Catastrophic Injuries Attorney for Legal Help
If you suffered spinal cord injuries due to a property owner’s failure to remove snow and ice, please contact Power & Power Law to set up a free case evaluation. We can explain your rights and remedies after reviewing your situation. Our team can assist with the claims process and settlement negotiations, but we are ready to take your case to court as necessary.