The Bridgeport area sees substantial snow and ice every winter. Although it can be beautiful, slips and falls due to icy or snowy sidewalks cause severe injuries to many people every year.
Property owners are responsible for keeping their premises safe for visitors. People whose property abuts sidewalks must keep those walkways clear so pedestrians can pass safely.
What Does a Bridgeport Snow and Ice Accident Attorney Do?
A Bridgeport snow and ice accident attorney represents people who suffered injuries due to another party’s failure to keep a walkway clear of hazardous winter conditions. If a fall on an uncleared sidewalk or walkway caused you harm, consult with a knowledgeable slip and fall lawyer at Bert McDowell Injury Law to consider your legal options.
Legal Statute Requires Snow and Ice Removal
The law in Bridgeport requires property owners to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks on their property within six hours. If complete removal is not possible within that timeframe because of weather or temperature conditions, they must apply salt, sand, or take other steps to mitigate the hazard until removing the snow and ice is feasible.
Bridgeport Municipal Code §12.16.160 makes a property owner liable to anyone who suffered injuries because of snow or ice on a sidewalk. The city is liable if it owned the property where the fall occurred.
Violation of the ordinance requiring sidewalk clearing could be considered negligent. In such a case, a skilled Bridgeport snow and ice lawyer only needs to present evidence of a violation of the law to establish the property owner was negligent.
Falls in Wintry Conditions Could Cause Severe Injuries
People sometimes underestimate the damage that a hard fall on an icy sidewalk could do. Older people are especially prone to suffer severe injuries from falls, but anyone could sustain significant harm, such as:
Any of these injuries might require a person to seek medical treatment and cause them to lose time at work. Someone with a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury could lose the ability to work or live independently. A committed snow and ice injury attorney in Bridgeport can hold a negligent property owner liable for any injuries someone suffered on an uncleared sidewalk or walkway, no matter how severe.
Adhering to Legal Time Limits is Critical
The law limits the time a person may bring a lawsuit seeking compensation for personal injuries. When someone pursues financial recovery for injuries suffered on private property, such as a sidewalk or entrance to a place of business, they have two years from the date of the fall to file a lawsuit.
Different procedures apply when the fall happens on public property owned by the state or a local government. Anyone who wishes to make a claim against a unit of government has one year to submit a notice of claim with the appropriate government office. Failing to submit the notice on time could defeat any lawsuit the injured person attempts to file against the local government.
Working with an experienced legal professional in Bridgeport can prevent an injured person from missing any filing deadlines. A dedicated personal injury attorney in Bridgeport like Bert McDowell can preserve the injured person’s right to sue any liable parties by filing all paperwork within the appropriate timeframe.
Rely on a Bridgeport Snow and Ice Accident Law Firm to Handle Your Claim
If someone negligently failed to keep the sidewalks abutting their property clear of snow and ice and you were hurt, they are responsible for any subsequent consequences. You could hold them liable for your medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.
Trust a Bridgeport snow and ice accident attorney to handle your lawsuit. Ready to Bring on Bert? Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.
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