Winter Is Slip And Fall Time In Ontario: What Are Your Rights After A Fall?

It’s that season of snow and ice once again. And at this time of the year, we get many clients seeking to pursue slip and fall claims after an accident due to improper maintenance of snow and ice on public and private properties This is when we need to remind our clients of limitation periods when it comes to these slip and fall claims so clients’ rights are still preserved. Let’s take a look at those limitation periods.

First of all, in Brantford injury lawyer terms, a “slip and fall” accident is one that happens when an individual falls in a public or private place and gets injured in the process. These accidents can happen for a number of reasons and don’t necessarily involve slipping although they frequently do.

A slip and fall accident can happen when the owner or manager of a premises or property has allowed a situation that is dangerous or harmful to happen and failed to keep the premises safe for the people who use it. This can be true for both public and private property. If an individual has fallen and gotten injured as a consequence and it can be proven that it is due to the negligence of the owner or manager of the property, this would be considered a “slip and fall” claim. During times of snow and ice especially, owners and managers have an obligation to the people who use the property to keep them safe and properly maintained.

For slip and fall victims, it’s important to understand that there are some very important time limitations to filing a slip and fall claim. If the fall has taken place on a municipally owned property, that municipality must be notified within 10 days of the occurrence of the accident. The reasoning behind this notification is to allow the municipality a quick response to remedying the issue so others are not injured. There is also a general limitation period of two years from the occurrence of the accident in order to file a claim. But it is important to note that limitation periods can vary depending on the type of injury. Your local Brantford injury lawyer can advise you after an accident.

Of course, the most important thing is to get immediate care after a slip, and fall and to chronicle the exact instances that caused the accident as soon as possible. Time is an important consideration when it comes to notifying management, interviewing witnesses and detailing the exact area and instances where the fall took place. But many individuals do not feel immediately injured after an accident and symptoms often show up after a period of time.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident and need advice in order to protect your rights, it’s often your best course of action to contact a personal injury lawyer in Brantford as soon as possible after the accident. The sooner you take steps to ensure your legal rights, the better your success will be if you decide to pursue a claim. When you have been injured on the ice and snow this winter season, call the professionals at APC Law to make sure your legal rights are protected.