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Icy or Snowy Walkway Accidents

Icy or Snowy Walkway Accident Lawyers 

Injured on an Icy Sidewalk? Here’s What You Need to Know

Winter can turn an ordinary walk into a disaster. One second, you’re just going about your day. The next, you’re flat on your back, shocked, hurt, and wondering what just happened. Icy sidewalks send thousands of people to the hospital every year, and that’s why having experienced personal injury attorneys on your side matters. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know the problems you’re up against after a slip and fall accident. If you're looking to hire one of the best law firms in America, you're in the right place. We fight for people like you—making sure you get the compensation you deserve if you've been injured. 

A person kneeling on the snow

AI-generated content may be incorrect.Just Slipped? Here’s What You Need to Do—Right Now! 

After a fall, your health comes first. But if you can, take these steps immediately to protect yourself and your personal injury claim: 

  • Get medical help ASAP. Injuries like concussions and internal damage can sneak up on you. Sometimes it takes getting an MRI to fully diagnose. Don’t wait—get checked out. 
  • Take photos of everything. Ice melts. Conditions change. Take clear pictures of the sidewalk, any warning signs (or lack of them), and your injuries before it’s too late. 
  • Find witnesses. If anyone saw your fall, get their contact info. Their statements could be key to proving what happened. 
  • Report the accident. Tell the property owner, the city, or whoever is responsible for maintaining that sidewalk. Some cities have strict deadlines like Notice of Claim for filing claims. 
  • Keep your clothes and shoes. What you were wearing can help prove how and why you slipped. 
  • Talk to a lawyer. The sooner, the better. An experienced slip and fall attorney can guide you through your options and make sure you don’t miss critical deadlines. 

The Shocking Cost of an Icy Sidewalk Injury—It’s More Than You Think! 

Most people don’t realize just how expensive a slip-and-fall injury can be. It’s not just about medical bills—it affects your entire life. 

  • Lost wages. If you’re out of work for weeks (or longer), how will you pay your bills? The National Safety Council reports that the average slip-and-fall injury costs nearly $47,000 in medical bills and lost wages
  • Endless medical treatments. Some injuries—like spinal damage or torn ligaments—require months or even years of treatment, therapy, and surgeries. 
  • Pain and emotional toll. Chronic pain is no joke. Neither is the fear of walking outside in winter again. This isn’t just physical—it’s mental too. 
  • Home adjustments. If your mobility is affected, you might need to install ramps, grab bars, or even move to a different home. 

A settlement isn’t just about covering your hospital bills. The premises liability attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, can help ensure you’re taken care of long-term. Snow and ice injury claims are the only path forward to help you recover the full extent of your damages. 

Who’s Responsible for Your Injury? Let’s Talk Liability! 

Figuring out who’s at fault can be tricky, but here’s the general breakdown. At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve seen just about every type of person or entity that could be responsible for a slip and fall on ice. Here’s some of the more common ones we see with our clients: 

  • Private property owners. If a homeowner or business didn’t clear their sidewalk properly, they could be held responsible. 
  • Cities and municipalities. Some cities take care of public sidewalks, but you usually have to prove they knew about the hazard and ignored it. 
  • Landlords and property managers. If you’re renting, your landlord might be on the hook for keeping the sidewalks safe. 

Every case is different, but one thing’s for sure—someone should be held accountable for your injury. That’s where our attorneys step in to fight for you from the very beginning. Premises liability for icy sidewalks is a complicated legal issue, and property owners must follow the law. When they don’t you need the guidance of a law firm like Horn Wright, LLP, to aggressively pursue your rights. 

Can You Sue the City? Here’s the Hard Truth! 

Suing the city isn’t impossible, but it’s not easy. Many attorneys will actually turn down cases against a city or municipality because it can be such a headache. At Horn Wright, LLP, we enjoy fighting for our clients in city and municipality cases. Here’s why: 

  • Short deadlines. In some places, you have as little as 30–90 days to file a notice of claim. If you miss it, you’re out of luck. 
  • Government immunity laws. Some cities are protected from lawsuits unless they had clear prior notice of the hazard. 
  • Proving negligence. You have to show that the city knew (or should have known) about the danger and failed to fix it. City maintenance logs and weather reports can help. 

A lawyer can help you figure out if suing the city is an option—or if there’s another responsible party. Slip and fall lawyers can make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve. 

Property Owners Ignoring Dangerous Sidewalks? Make Them Pay! 

If a property owner didn’t take care of their sidewalk, they could be on the hook for your injuries. Courts look at things like: 

  • Local snow removal laws. Many cities require property owners to clear sidewalks within a few hours of snowfall. Chicago, for example, gives property owners just three hours after a storm ends. 
  • Negligence. Did the owner ignore a known problem? Previous complaints, surveillance footage, and weather reports can help prove this. 
  • Lack of maintenance efforts. Was salt or sand put down? Was the snow ever shoveled? If not, that’s a problem. 

If someone’s negligence caused your injury, you shouldn’t be stuck paying for it. A personal injury attorney for winter accidents can help hold them accountable. 

Time’s Running Out! Here’s How Long You Have to File a Claim 

You don’t have forever to take legal action. Here’s what you need to know: 

  • Most personal injury cases have a statute of limitations between one and three years. That might sound like a long time, but it flies by when you’re recovering. 
  • Suing the city? Your deadline is much shorter. Some places, like Pennsylvania, only give you six months to file a claim against a government entity. 

Miss the deadline, and you lose your chance to get compensated. Don’t wait—get legal advice ASAP. 

Your Fight Starts NOW—We’re Ready to Help! 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how much an injury like this can turn your life upside down. We’ve helped countless people get the justice they deserve, and we’re ready to do the same for you. If you’re hurt, contact our offices today for FREE consultation

Our team of icy or snowy sidewalk accident attorneys is ready to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. You shouldn’t have to fight this alone—we’re here to make sure you don’t have to. 

What Sets Us Apart From The Rest?

Horn Wright, LLP is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.

  • Client-Focused Approach
    We’re a client-centered, results-oriented firm. When you work with us, you can have confidence we’ll put your best interests at the forefront of your case – it’s that simple.
  • Creative & Innovative Solutions

    No two cases are the same, and neither are their solutions. Our attorneys provide creative points of view to yield exemplary results.

  • Experienced Attorneys

    We have a team of trusted and respected attorneys to ensure your case is matched with the best attorney possible.

  • Driven By Justice

    The core of our legal practice is our commitment to obtaining justice for those who have been wronged and need a powerful voice.