New Jersey winters are notorious for bringing lots of sleet, snow, and ice—creating a dangerous slip-and-fall hazard. Despite being accustomed to winter weather, mishaps do happen. Failure to remove snow or ice can result in a very dangerous accident which might require the help of slip and fall lawyers.
Slip-and-falls on ice or snow are particularly hazardous because not only are surfaces slick, but also because there could be black ice hidden beneath the snow that could cause you to trip or fall. Taking added care can help to reduce your risk of falling.
New Jersey Slip and Fall Law
In New Jersey, property owners are required by law to shovel snow and put down salt or sand to remove ice from sidewalks and parking lots—this is also true for commercial and residential properties. Many municipalities take this law a step further by setting a time limit on how long property owners have to clear the area. Most require that snow or ice is removed within 24-hours of the final snowfall—meaning that from the time the snow stops, the owner has one day to clear their sidewalks. In Edison, residents have 12 hours to remove the snow or they face a $250 fine, and in Somerville they could be fined upwards of $1,250.
Several municipalities, including Chatham Township, have fines for individuals who shovel their snow onto a neighbor’s property or into the street. In Newark there are also fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 if residents put snow or ice in the street.
There is added responsibility on the part of commercial land owners and business owners with parking lots because they must make sure ALL snow and/or ice is removed from handicap parking spaces by shoveling the snow or putting down salt or sand to eliminate ice.
Tips To Prevent Yourself From Falling on Ice or Snow
No one wants to be injured. Here are some tips that could help you avoid a fall during winter weather.
- Remove any snow from the bottom of your shoes before entering a building.
- When possible, walk around areas of ice or snow.
- Wear shoes or boots with rubber soles and good traction.
- Give yourself extra time so you can walk slowly.
- Use handrails.
- Try not to walk with your hands in your pocket—having your arms free can help you regain balance if you do slip.
Slip-and-Fall Claims
Your accident may have been clearly due to someone else’s negligence, but fault still needs to be established, which can be a difficult task. There are several things a plaintiff must prove in a slip-and-fall case. They must show that the property owner was the cause of the hazard, they were aware of the danger yet did nothing to remedy the situation, or the property owner should have known that the hazard was present and made sure the problem was addressed.
A New Jersey slip-and-fall attorney can help you determine if you have a case as well as who was at fault and needs to be held liable. To help strengthen a potential claim you should do several things after falling on ice or snow. First, you should report the fall to the property owner. If you are not too severely injured, take photos of where you fell and get the contact information and statements from any witnesses. If you are injured badly go to the emergency room immediately, otherwise go see your doctor as soon as possible. Documenting any injuries will be a vital part of your claim.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a slip-and-fall accident on ice or snow in New Jersey, you should seek the assistance of a lawyer. The New Jersey slip-and-fall attorneys at Console & Hollawell have 17 years of experience protecting the rights of accident victims including those injured in a slip-and-fall. Call today at 1-800-455-2746 to set up your free, no-obligation consultation. You can focus on getting better and we will handle the rest.
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