When you suffered a serious injury in an entryway accident at the entryway in front of an establishment, you likely knew it was not your responsibility to clear away the accumulated ice and snow. But exactly who was responsible and what does the Rhode Island law say you are entitled to for your injuries to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering for the injuries you have endured?
Fall on snow and Ice
Lately, the winters in the Northeast and in RI have been especially brutal where walking hazards abound from slushy sidewalks, patches of black ice and puddles of melting snow. The unsafe conditions often produce an unexpected environment where a serious slip and fall incident can easily occur when pathways and entryways have not been maintained properly. But are business proprietors and commercial building owners legally liable to pay for your injuries and loss?
Commercial establishments must provide a Safe Environment
Every commercial enterprise that opens their doors in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations for business has a legal obligation to every visitor to maintain a clear walking surface that is safe for pedestrians. This includes: restaurants bars, nightclubs, supermarkets, malls, stores, fast food restaurants and professional offices.
Hazardous slippery walkway
During the winter months, their responsibility might extend to ensure that all parking lots are plowed and sidewalks shoveled in a timely manner after a snowfall or ice storm. This might also involve salting steps and icy walkways, and placing nonskid mats at every entryway.
The responsibility might also require placing caution signs around dangerous areas or mopping up puddles that have the potential of freezing during cold winter days and nights.
Responsibility for retail establishments
While the Rhode Island commercial business has a duty to provide a safe environment, it might not be obvious what party is derelict in their responsibility. Often times, retail establishments lease their space from property owners and may have a contract agreement with the property management company, which directly or indirectly provides snow removal services. In many cases, the property manager, landlord, store owner, business, third-party contractor or insurance company will point the finger at everyone else to avoid responsibility once someone is injured in a slip and fall accident.
Hiring a RI Slip and fall Attorney
Typically, the only way to sort out the problem to ensure that all parties responsible for the Rhode Island slip and fall accident are held accountable is to hire a competent Providence personal injury attorney who specializes in premises liability cases. A reputable North Providence , east providence or central falls area law firm can cut through the noise and confusion of a complicated case, identify every party responsible for the slip and fall accident and hold them accountable.
Warwick law firm
The Warwick or Cranston law firm can diligently investigate the case and take all appropriate legal action to show the failure of managers, owners and others who chose not to take appropriate precautions and actions to provide a safe environment free of snow and ice.
Providence Slip and fall attorneys
The Providence slip and fall lawyer can establish how the responsible parties neglected to take action in a timely manner, even when neighboring properties provide a safe walking path. A skilled RI personal injury attorney will typically build the case around a variety of factors including proving how the area was unsafe from:
• Crushed snow or black ice left on the walkway
• High snow banks and snowdrifts alongside the pathway
• Dangerous tripping hazards (uneven pavement, potholes, etc.) were obscured by snow
• The stairs or floors were slick as a result of accumulated slush or water
Any individual suffering a minor or major injury in a slip and fall or trip and fall case should consider hiring a slip and fall attorney in Rhode Island immediately.
Reputable Rhode Island personal injury attorneys take cases on contingency to avoid the need of any upfront fees. Their legal services are paid through the financial compensation of an out-of-court settlement or jury award from a filed claim or lawsuit.
