Each winter, slip and fall accidents spike across Connecticut as snow, sleet and ice blanket the state. These incidents occur everywhere, from icy sidewalks in neighborhoods to slick parking lots, apartment complexes and even inside retail stores where melting snow creates hazards. Before pursuing a claim, it’s important to understand Connecticut’s liability rules for slip and fall accidents in wintry conditions.

All Connecticut property owners are legally obligated to keep their premises reasonably safe. This includes homeowners, commercial property owners, landlords and property managers. Exercising reasonable care during winter means timely shoveling, sanding and salting to prevent slippery conditions on walkways, parking lots and other common areas. 

A slip and fall on snow or ice can cause serious injuries. A property owner in Connecticut may be liable if they fail to remove snow or ice after a storm has ended; ignore known hazards like black ice created by poor drainage; or perform inadequate or improper snow removal. Owners also must post warning signs near particularly dangerous areas and comply with local ordinances mandating snow removal within particular time periods. Failing to do so may expose a property owner to fines as well as civil damages. 

There is one important exception to the property owner’s duty: the “ongoing storm doctrine.” Connecticut law generally does not require owners to remove snow and ice while a storm is in progress. Liability attaches only after a “reasonable time” has passed since the storm’s end. However, owners still may be liable for hazards unrelated to the storm (e.g., a chronic drainage problem) and areas where shoveling was attempted but done negligently. Questions of timing can be critical. Meteorological data can pinpoint storm duration. Expert witnesses can testify about whether conditions were present before the storm. This evidence can be essential to proving or disproving a property owner’s liability.

If you experience a wintertime slip and fall, take immediate steps to protect your interests. Document the scene with photos or videos, describe weather conditions, note the exact time (and if precipitation was ongoing), collect witness information, report the incident to the property manager or owner, seek prompt medical care and preserve your footwear and clothing as evidence.

You should also promptly seek legal counsel. An experienced slip and fall injury lawyer can investigate storm timing, examine property maintenance and snow and ice removal efforts, negotiate with insurance carriers and build a negligence case suited to the facts and circumstances.

The attorneys at Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in Hamden and East Haven represent victims of slip and fall accident throughout Connecticut. Call 203-745-0942 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.