A heavy snowfall hit the city, quickly covering the streets. Once the snowfall stopped, you may have needed to go out to stock up on some necessities.

You slipped and fell as you stepped on a patch of ice covered by the snow. You suffered an injury, which may keep you from going out.

You tried to be careful, but you slipped

The snow may not have been shoveled from the parking lot of the grocery store. It had begun to melt. Walking slowly, you tried to walk gingerly, until you slipped on ice and landed hard on your back.

Were you responsible? Or was the property owner responsible?

The property owner is responsible for ensuring that customers are able to safely enter and leave the store.

Was the property owner negligent in maintaining their property?

Once the snow stopped falling, the property owner, who may be a separate entity from the owner of the store, was responsible for removing the snowfall from their parking lot and sidewalk.

Once snow began to melt, puddles formed. At night, when temperatures fell again, the water froze. This means the property owner should have taken care to keep the freezing from happening by having salt sprinkled on the parking lot and sidewalk.

Learning about the property owner’s liability may help you to successfully win a lawsuit.

Some factors may affect the outcome of your complaint

You had a valid reason for being on the property. If you had been trespassing, you may not be able to sue for damages. As a customer, your status is that of invitee.

The snowy, icy conditions of the sidewalk and parking lot may show that the property owner did not ensure safety for customers. They should have been able to foresee an accidental fall.