The winter season provides New Hampshire with stunning landscapes and fun wintertime play, from skiing to ice skating. Unfortunately, the same wintry conditions that bring so much joy can also lead to serious injury. Slip and fall accidents on icy, snowy, or slushy sidewalks or pavements injure tens of thousands of Americans every year. New Hampshire residents must understand how to navigate treacherous conditions safely and what recourse they may have if they suffer an injury on someone else’s property.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall due to someone else’s negligence, talk to the New Hampshire Personal Injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. You might be entitled to compensatory damages that will cover your financial losses. Call us today at 888-332-5855 or contact us online for a free consultation. We represent clients all over the state, including Manchester, Laconia, and Nashua.
Common Winter Slip and Fall Injuries
Winter slip and fall accidents in New Hampshire can occur anywhere, from residential sidewalks to commercial properties or public spaces. The primary culprits are icy patches formed by freezing temperatures and snow accumulation. These hazards pose a considerable risk to pedestrians and can give rise to a range of injuries, including bruising, lacerations, broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and much more.
Even seemingly minor slip and fall injuries can require medical attention, physical therapy, and medication and bring substantial pain that can last for weeks, months, or even years. These injuries often have financial consequences, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. If someone else’s negligence was responsible for those injuries, they might have a responsibility to compensate you for accident-related expenses.
New Hampshire Property Owners’ Responsibilities
Property owners in New Hampshire are legally obligated to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition, including during winter. This duty of care extends to ensuring that sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways are clear of ice and snow or adequately treated to prevent hazardous conditions.
Their failure to fulfill this duty may result in liability for slip and fall accidents occurring on the property. However, the extent of liability depends on various factors, including whether the property owner knew or should have known of the hazardous conditions, whether they reasonably had time to clear the snow and ice, and whether they took reasonable steps to warn people of the hazard.
Comparative Negligence in New Hampshire
New Hampshire follows a modified comparative negligence principle, meaning that liability for slip and fall accidents can be shared between the property owner and the injured party based on their respective degrees of fault, as long as the injured party is not more than 50 percent at fault. If the injured party is found to be at least 51 percent at fault in the accident, they are not entitled to any damages.
For example, if a restaurant customer slips and falls on a patch of ice as they enter a restaurant but happens to be looking at their cell phone at the time, they might be found 20 percent at fault for the accident. In this case, any damages awarded to them would be reduced by 20 percent. However, if the restaurant owners had posted large signs warning customers of the possibility of ice, but the customer was so preoccupied with their phone that they didn’t notice the signs, they might be considered 53 percent at fault for their slip and fall. They would not be able to recover any damages.
Reduce the Risk of Slip and Fall Injuries
The best situation would be minimizing your risk of a slip and fall accident. Take the following precautions to stay safe in wintry conditions.
• Wear appropriate footwear. Invest in sturdy, slip-resistant boots with good traction to help provide stability on icy surfaces. Avoid shoes with smooth soles that offer little grip.
• Walk with caution. Take slow and deliberate steps when walking on icy, snowy, or slushy surfaces. Avoid sudden movements that could lead to a loss of balance.
• Use handrails. Use handrails or other stable structures for support whenever possible while navigating stairs or inclines.
• Watch your step. Scan the sidewalk or road for patches of ice or snow. Look for signs or other indications, such as salt on the road, that suggest icy conditions.
Experienced Personal Attorneys in New Hampshire Ready to Help
You might automatically think that a slip and fall is your fault, but it is not necessarily true. If you’ve been injured in a winter slip and fall accident in New Hampshire, reach out to the skilled New Hampshire personal injury lawyer of Tenn And Tenn, P.A. as soon as possible. Our legal team has represented winter slip and fall accident victims throughout New Hampshire, including Concord, Keene, Londonderry, Laconia, and more. We help assess whether you should have the right to compensation, and if so, we will fight to ensure you receive the fair and total amount to which you are entitled. Contact us today at888-332-5855 or online for your free evaluation.