In the brutally cold winters of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, everyone is at risk of sustaining serious injuries in a slip-and-fall accident. Whether you fall down some icy steps, slip on an uncleared sidewalk after a snowstorm, or take a spill due to other winter hazards, the result will likely be the same. You could have serious injuries, including broken bones, back pain, or head trauma, that cause you to miss time at work and accumulate significant medical bills.
As a top personal injury law firm in New Jersey, the team at Malamut Law regularly represents people who have been involved in slip-and-fall accidents so they can get the compensation they need to recover from their injuries. As such, we know exactly how serious slip and fall injuries are. If you live or work in the area or are visiting for the holidays, we hope you won’t have to find out how dangerous a slip-and-fall accident can be.
Here are a few tips from our team to help you stay safe this winter:
Wear Appropriate Footwear
One of the best ways to stay upright when walking outside this winter is to wear the right shoes for icy conditions. We suggest a pair of lightweight snow boots with an aggressive tread and good ankle support. Boots like these will help you avoid slipping and improve your balance while walking. You can also purchase special stick-on grips to place on the soles of your shoes for when you can’t wear boots, like when you are at work or attending a social engagement.
Don’t Rush to Your Destination
Changing the way you walk can help you avoid a slip-and-fall accident. If you normally walk fast and take long, confident strides, we suggest changing your pace during winter. Ice can be anywhere, and sometimes it’s hard to see, so you don’t need to be in a rush when you are walking outside. Pay attention to where you’re stepping so you can avoid ice entirely. If you have to walk on ice, take small steps and waddle like a penguin. Yeah, you’ll look a little silly, but it allows you to keep your center of gravity above your feet, so you’ll be less likely to fall.
Make Use of Handrails on Dangerous Stairs
Icy steps are a tremendous hazard in the winter, and sometimes, you might have to walk on them to access a building. Any time this happens, hold on securely to the handrail so that if you slip, you won’t end up falling down the stairs. If you encounter stairs without a handrail, we suggest finding another way to go.
Make Your Property Safer
You may not be able to control the weather or the actions of others, but you can control the safety of your property. Promptly remove snow after a snowstorm and spread salt on your sidewalks and stairs to melt any ice that forms there. You should also orient your rainspouts so they drain away from any walkways. Finally, check all your handrails and be sure they are secure so that if an accident happens, you can prevent a fall. Not only will taking these steps make you and your family safer, but it can also protect you from the legal liability that comes from other people falling on your property.
Stay Inside When You Can
This one may seem obvious, but truly, the best way to avoid snow and ice is to stay away from it entirely. Stay inside if there is a snow or ice storm, and you don’t need to go anywhere! Heading out during icy conditions is an unnecessary risk, so try to avoid it whenever you can.
Slip-and-Fall Attorneys in PA and NJ
Even if you take all the precautions listed above, accidents happen every day, and slip and falls are much more likely to occur in the winter. If you have a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, whether it is a private residence, a business location, or public property, the owners may be liable to pay for any medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more that result from it. The first steps are reporting the accident, getting medical attention, and speaking to an experienced slip and fall attorney.
At Malamut Law, we have over two decades of experience representing injured clients in slip and falls and other personal injury cases. During our time in practice, we have won multiple six and seven-figure settlements for our clients, and we may be able to do the same for you. Call us today at (856) 424-1808 for your free initial consultation if you need a slip-and-fall attorney in Voorhees, NJ, or any other type of personal injury lawyer in PA or NJ.