Slip and Fall on Ice? Know Your Rights and What to Do Next

As the winter months stretch on and people across the U.S. battle snow, ice, and sleet, an estimated one million people will be injured in slip-and-fall accidents related to winter weather¹. Slip-and-fall injuries affect people walking to and from their homes, to and from their cars, and even into their workplaces. In fact, slips, trips, and falls are a common cause of workplace injury and account for more than half of all liability claims filed against businesses and property owners.

Sometimes, these falls result in nothing more than a bruised tailbone and ego. But many times, people are seriously harmed, breaking bones and suffering traumatic brain injuries that can permanently affect their quality of life. If you live in or travel to a place where ice, snow, sleet, and other wet conditions are common, and you suffer a slip and fall injury, this article can help you navigate what comes next.

Types of Snow and Ice Slip and Fall Injuries

It can happen in a split second – one minute you’re walking to your car in a parking lot, and the next second you’re on your back, and it feels like your head has been split open. Even if you walk carefully in sturdy winter boots, an ice patch can come out of nowhere. That’s why snow, black ice, and freezing temperatures contribute to thousands of slip and fall injuries each winter.

Some of the most common injuries reported include:

• Hip and Pelvis Fractures
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Concussions / Head Trauma
• Back Injuries (Including Herniated Discs or Compressed Vertebrae)
• Torn Ligaments and Other Soft Tissue Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries / Paralysis

These injuries are serious and can be very expensive to treat, especially if surgical intervention and rehabilitation are necessary. Once you factor in hospitalization, doctors’ fees, and surgery, the average patient is looking at $55,000 in medical expenses². And that doesn’t take into account lost income, and other support the victim must pay for when they can’t perform their normal duties, even temporarily. In the worst cases, the mobility, economic stability, and quality of life of fall victims are permanently altered.

For older fall victims, the consequences can be even more dire because the older you are, the more serious your injuries are likely to be from a slip and fall. In fact, every 20 minutes, an older fall victim dies from their injuries. But if you or a loved one slips and falls on someone else’s property, whose fault is it?

How to Know If You Have a Slip and Fall on Ice Lawsuit

In winter, everyone expects sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways to be more dangerous. And yes — pedestrians are responsible for using reasonable caution when walking on snowy or icy surfaces. But that doesn’t mean property owners get a free pass.

You may have a valid slip and fall on ice lawsuit if your fall happened because a property owner or business failed to take reasonable steps to prevent or warn about an icy hazard

A case is more likely when:

• The ice or snow created an unsafe condition (like untreated black ice, packed snow, or an icy entryway).
• The property owner knew about the hazard, or should have known it existed.
• They failed to clear it, treat it, block it off, or warn people.
• And that failure directly caused your injuries.

For example, retail outlets and other businesses are typically expected to maintain reasonably safe walking conditions in areas open to the public — including parking lots, sidewalks, and entrances. If they don’t remove snow and ice within a reasonable time, fail to salt or sand slippery areas, or ignore a known hazard without warning customers, they can be held responsible for the harm that follows.

What to Do If You Slip and Fall on Ice

After a slip and fall on ice, it’s easy to feel shaken up — and even easier to underestimate how serious the injuries may be. Even if you feel “mostly fine,” injuries like concussions, back injuries, or soft tissue damage may not fully show up until hours (or even days) later. Taking the right steps early can protect your health, preserve evidence, and strengthen your ability to make a claim later. Here’s what to do:

• Report the incident to the authorities, detailing the circumstances of the fall.
• Provide written notice of the fall to the property owner.
• Seek medical attention even if the injuries appear minor.
• Keep all medical records and proof of out-of-pocket expenses.
• Get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
• Contact a reputable personal injury lawyer.

Effective & Compassionate Legal Representation

If you suffered a serious injury after falling on another person’s property who failed to clear ice off their premises, there are legal options. At the law firm of Chaffin Luhana, our attorneys have secured hundreds of millions in damages on behalf of clients, and leverage the skill, experience, and resources to maximize the value of your claim.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you seek justice after a slip and fall injury.

Additional Resources

1. Safety and Health Magazine, Don’t slip up this winter https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/16523-dont-slip-up-this-winter
2. National Safety Council, Make Fall Safety a Top Priority https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/slips-trips-falls
3. National Safety Council, Fall-prevention Measures Can Keep Older Adults Independent https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/older-adult-falls#slips