Winter is once again upon us, and with cold comes snow and ice build up on the ground.  That build up could create dangerous conditions for pedestrians, setting them up for a slip and fall accident.

I own a business, am I responsible for clearing snow and ice?

If you are a business owner in Indiana, you have a general duty to keep your property clear of snow and ice. As a business you are more likely to be held liable for slips and falls. Given the amount of people to come through your doors, it is just smart to provide your customers safe and easy way to enter and exit your business.

When Indiana courts consider slip and fall accidents, here are a couple things they take into consideration:

  1. How long has the ice and snow been on the property?
  2. Did the owner have advanced warning of the storm? A surprise storm will probably take a little longer to clear as an owner may have to make arrangements.

I am a homeowner, am I liable for a slip and fall accident on my property?

While there is not a statutory duty under Indiana law to shovel snow, there may be county of other local ordinances requiring you to keep your property clear of snow and ice. It should be noted that Indiana courts may look into increased risk factors created by homeowners in their attempt to clear the ice or snow.  That being said, landowners who do shovel their sidewalks are rarely held for creating artificial risk of harm.  People who have slipped on ice that cannot be seen may have a difficult time establishing liability.  You cannot be expected to fix something that you are not aware of.  However, if the black or invisible ice is a recurring problem, you should be aware of the danger, and take precautions to remedy the situation.

Let us sum things up

If you own a home, there is no statutory under Indiana law to clear your property of snow and ice, but your county or local ordinances may require you to shovel.

If you have fallen on property that is not shoveled, you could very well have a good slip and fall case against the owner of the property.

Learn more here

Still have questions?  Contact the experienced accident attorneys at Hall-Justice Law Firm. It is our job to help you navigate the system to help you get your maximum outcome. If you have been in a slip and fall accident, Get Justice. Call 765-742-2987.