Some people in Connecticut are fans of winter weather, while others may loathe it. The fans may find snowfall beautiful, may anticipate an unexpected day off school or work, or may enjoy winter activities such as skiing. However, others may see winter weather as a nuisance. After all, snow and ice can lead to difficult driving conditions, a slushy mess and the inevitable shoveling of driveways and sidewalks.
In fact, under certain circumstances, if a person slips and falls on another person’s property due to ice or snow on the ground, this could lead to significant injuries on the part of the victim. A fall on a slippery surface could lead to broken bones, back injuries and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can have a long-lasting effect on a person’s life. Therefore, it is important that those injured on another’s property due to ice or snow understand whether they can pursue a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner.
Connecticut law generally leaves the issue of snow removal from sidewalks and property up to the municipalities of the state. For example, in Bridgeport, if a person is injured due to a property owner’s failure to shovel snow or de-ice their sidewalks, that property owner could be held personally liable under certain circumstances for the damages the injured person suffered. Property owners have a duty to use reasonable care in making sure that their sidewalks are reasonably safe with regards to winter weather conditions. If a person is pursuing a premises liability lawsuit following a fall on a snowy or icy sidewalk, he or she is responsible for showing that the property owner either discovered or, through reasonable care, should have discovered that their sidewalks were covered in snow or ice, but failed to remedy these conditions.
A slip-and-fall accident on a snowy or icy sidewalk can cause significant injuries. Those who use sidewalks expect that they will be safe. Thus, the law imposes a duty upon property owners to keep their sidewalks clear of ice and snow. If a property owner fails to do so, and a person slips and falls on the icy or snowy sidewalk, the injured person may want to determine if they can hold the property owner responsible for the damages they suffered.
