With ice and snow piling up throughout New England, falls are a constant concern whenever you’re out and about. Perhaps you’ve already dealt with a slip or fall this season, and aren’t sure what your next step should be.
If you were hurt on someone else’s property, you may have a case to bring against them to help cover damages. From medical bills to lost time at work, the cost of injuries from a fall can quickly add up. Plus, there’s the emotional toll of losing mobility, dealing with pain, and the stress of missing time on the job.
Falls are a serious matter. They can result in terrible bruising, sprains, broken bones, and even head injuries. Property owners need to do their part to maintain a safe environment for people who are using their buildings, parking lots, and walkways.
In Massachusetts, property owners are held to the standard of “reasonable care” for their property. When someone slips, falls, or otherwise gets injured on a property, and it’s determined that the owner did not take reasonable care to repair or mitigate a hazard, they can be held liable.
This standard applies to various kinds of property owners, including landlords, homeowners, municipalities, and business owners. Whether you fell on a city sidewalk in Boston or tripped on a broken apartment building stair in Andover, you may be able to hold the property owner responsible for neglecting their obligation to maintain the area.
During the winter months, such neglect may mean failing to clear ice from stairs or a sidewalk in a timely manner. Business owners may neglect to fix broken chunks of concrete on the walkway leading up to their store entrance. A landlord may fail to provide sufficient lighting in a hallway or stairway, creating a hazardous environment that leads to trips and falls.
However you incurred your injury, it’s worth taking the time to talk through if you have a case to bring against the property owner. You’ve lost time and money to your injury; we can help you determine how to approach getting compensated for that. A consultation with our team costs nothing, and as you can see from the above information, it’s very possible that you have a good case to be made under the Massachusetts reasonable care standard.
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident and would like to discuss your case, call Dolan Connly, P.C., today at (617)-265-3100. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to support you.
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