If you or someone you know has suffered a slip and fall on ice in Monmouth County, call our Monmouth County slip and fall on ice attorneys today. Our lawyers represent individuals who have been injured as a result of Monmouth County slip and fall accidents which occur because of an icy surface. We fight for clients’ right to compensation for injuries caused by slips and falls on ice in Eatontown, Freehold, Holmdel, Middletown, Long Branch, Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Ocean Twp, and all communities in Monmouth County, NJ. Contact 732-825-6120 for legal guidance if you were injured on ice and you believe someone else is responsible.
Duty to Clear Ice in Monmouth County
In Monmouth county as in the other counties throughout the state of New Jersey, a commercial landowner and or the commercial proprietor of a store or property has a duty to ensure that their premises and adjacent sidewalks are free from any snow and ice. If either the commercial landowner or proprietor fail to clear snow or ice in a timely manner and or take the proper steps to ensure that their premises are safe and as a result someone is injured, the commercial landowner or proprietor may be held liable for the individual’s injuries.
It is important to note that you may not be able to sue a public entity, such as a local or state government agency, for failing to remove snow and ice from public ways. Also, you should discuss the specific situation if a private property owner may have caused your slip and fall on ice, as these cases have an additional layer of complexity.
Monmouth County Municipal Ordinances for Removing Ice and Snow
In many towns and municipalities, there are local ordinances enacted that require a commercial property owner to remove snow and ice from their premises and or adjacent sidewalks. These local ordinances create an additional legal duty for the commercial property owner or commercial establishment to remove snow and ice from their premises and adjacent sidewalks. If they do not comply with this legal duty and as a result someone is injured, they can be responsible for the harm which is caused by the fall.
Generally Accepted Snow and Ice Removal Standards
There are also nationally known industry publications that provide guidelines and measures for commercial property owners to undertake to minimize bodily injury and property damage by winter conditions. The publication: Preparing for Winter: Proactive Measures to Prevent Injury and Property Damage, Professional Safety, vol. 42, issue 8, August 1997 advocates for commercial facilities to implement certain procedures to minimize or prevent bodily injury caused by winter conditions. In order to minimize these risks a commercial property owner or establishment should:
- Develop a comprehensive snow and ice removal plan
- Communicate worker responsibilities regarding safety and injury prevention
- Communicate the winterization program to employees and others involved in the process
Finally, the publication states that the success of a winterization program depends upon how well it is communicated to employees and others involved in snow and ice management. Informing employees about impending storms and teaching preparation are key components of the communication process. To effectively execute the snow and ice removal plan, designated areas should be assigned to specific people and or individual managers.
According to many other publications, post snow event monitoring is critical to making sure that snow and ice is safely removed. Publications warn that post event occurrences, such as the melting and refreezing of water, can lead to unsafe and dangerous conditions. Additionally, blowing snow and or melting or drifting snow can lead to dangerous conditions if they are not properly monitored. Walkways, sidewalks and driveways must also be continually salted and or have ice melting solutions placed down upon them after snow or ice are removed. This is especially important if snow is piled on the property and is subject to melting and refreezing.
Contact Our Monmouth County Slip and Fall on Ice Attorneys
Our Monmouth County Slip and fall on ice attorneys represent individuals who have been injured as a result of a slip and fall on ice. Our lawyers have successfully represented individuals who have been injured in a Monmouth County fall which was caused by ice and have recovered significant sums of money. If you would like to speak to one of our attorneys call our firm today. We can help.
Additional Information:
Preparing for Winter: Proactive Measures to Prevent Injury and Property Damage, Professional Safety, vol. 42, issue 8, August 1997