Page last reviewed and updated: December 4, 2019
In recent years, there have been heavy snowfalls and low temperatures during the winter months in the Philadelphia area. Snow, sleet and freezing rain can result in dangerous patches of ice on sidewalks, parking lots and other walkways. Pedestrians who sustain injuries in icy slip and fall accidents may be able to seek compensation for their injuries by filing lawsuits.
Related: Compensation in Icy Slip & Fall Accident Lawsuits
Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accidents in Philadelphia
Property owners, including homeowners, store owners and landlords, need to clear their sidewalks or parking lots that are accessible by pedestrians, shoppers and tenants. Under Pennsylvania slip and fall accident laws, property owners have to make sure that their sidewalks and parking lots opened to the public do not create unreasonably dangerous slipping hazards for pedestrians.
If pedestrians, shoppers or tenants slip and fall on the property owners’ sidewalks or parking lots, property owners may be held liable for their injuries.
Related: Who is Liable After a Slip, Trip & Fall Accident in PA?
Common Injuries After a Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident Due to Ice
Pedestrians who slip and fall due to icy conditions on sidewalks or parking lots are often injured. Some of the common injuries include:
- fractured wrists,
- fractured arms,
- fractured ankles,
- twisted ankles,
- knee injuries,
- head injuries, and
- mild concussions.
Compensation for Injured Pedestrians
Injured pedestrians may recover monetary compensation from the property owners for the damages resulting from the slip and fall accidents. They may file slip and fall accident lawsuits.
Pedestrians may recover medical expenses. If a pedestrian fell on an icy sidewalk in front of a store in Philadelphia and required medical treatment, they may be compensated for any out of pocket medical expenses related to the fall.
Injured pedestrians may also be compensated for lost wages. For example, a nurse breaks her leg from a slip and fall accident, and she cannot bear weight on her leg for 6 weeks. As a result, she must miss 6 weeks of work. She may recover lost wages from the responsible property owners.
Another type of monetary compensation injured pedestrians may recover is pain and suffering damages. Every person’s pain and suffering is different. It all depends on the circumstances. If the injured individual has to undergo several surgeries to fix a broken leg, his pain and suffering is going to be greater than an individual who only needs to wear a cast after a broken leg.
No one wants to be injured in a slip and fall accident. With these frigid temperatures, pedestrians need to be careful when they walk.
Help After a Philadelphia Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accident
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip, trip or fall accident at a public establishment in Philadelphia, call Namerow Law to schedule a FREE consultation. 215.985.0777