Slip and falls happen when a homeowner, tenant or property owner is negligent causing you to slip and fall, resulting in an injury. This can include slipping on a wet or icy sidewalk or even a floor, tripping on a pothole or uneven pavement, or falling on a dangerous staircase. According to the WSIB, “80 workers are injured each day on the job – that’s one every 20 minutes”(www.wsib.on.ca) The Public Health Agency in Canada reports that one in three seniors will report a fall each year, “and half of those more than once.” (www.publichealth.gc.ca) The cold weather season is upon us bringing with it snow, cold and icy roads and sidewalks. The number of accidents of any type, from automobile accidents to slip and fall accidents increases in the winter. For the property owner, it is their responsibility to ensure that sidewalks are adequately cleared of snow and ice to prevent falls. If you are unfortunate enough to slip and fall, it is, of course, imperative to seek medical attention. If the accident happens on a municipal sidewalk, due to ice or snow, it is also imperative that the accident be reported to municipal authorities within ten days in order to maintain your right to seek compensation. If the accident resulted from ice and snow on a city sidewalk, the injured person has to prove the more onerous standard of gross negligence; this compares to the ordinary standard of negligence against a private property owner codified in the Occupiers’ Liability Act.
Slip and fall accidents are no laughing matter. Often such an injury can be serious, resulting in time off work and possibly even rehabilitation, depending on the extent of the injury. Damage to a hand, wrist or arm could mean that you are unable to return to your job. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a slip and fall accident, you need to have your earnings protected through compensation. You will likely also need financial support to help cover the mounting rehabilitation costs, including prescription medicines, physiotherapy and perhaps even in-home attendant care. Even if you are found partially to blame for the accident, you may be able to make a claim against the occupier or owner of the property where the accident occurred.
At Toronto’s Horowitz Injury Law, our team has almost 35 years of experience and a proven track record of resolving claims of individuals who have suffered injuries as a result of a slip and fall accident on commercial, municipal or private property. While we will make every effort to settle your claims, we have the experience and expertise to take your case to trial to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to under the law. Call Horowitz Injury Law right away so we can assist you in recovering fair compensation. 416-925-4100.
