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Be careful on the ice and snow

HomeBlogPremise LiabilityBe careful on the ice and snow

Be careful on the ice and snow

January 20, 2015
By jhartle@lgslaw.net

As old man winter has reared his ugly head again here in northwest Ohio, the skilled attorneys of Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC want to remind you to be careful when walking on ice and snow. Not only because it’s the common sense thing to do, but also because Ohio law makes it your responsibility if you are injured.

Under Ohio law, the courts treat natural accumulations of ice and snow as an “open and obvious” danger. The reasoning behind this is that everyone is familiar with winter weather, cold temperatures, and the ice and snow that come along with it.

Because of this, Ohio does not require a property owner – be it a store owner, business owner, or home owner–to remove natural accumulations of ice and snow from their property to make it safe for you. The courts put the responsibility on you to protect yourself, even if the property owner has superior knowledge about ice hiding under the snow. Even if a local law or ordinance requires property owners to clear ice and snow, Ohio courts have routinely held that this does not impose liability if someone is injured.

There are many, many exceptions to this rule, and each case must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The knowledgeable attorneys at Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott know these exceptions and how to get you the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall at the store, in a parking lot, or at a business establishment, contact us today. With 41+ years representing injured people, we have the skill and knowledge you need.

The information contained in this blog post is general information, and should not be treated as legal advice. No attorney/client relationship exists between the reader and Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC without a signed Attorney Contract Agreement of Representation. Each case is unique and past results should not be treated as a guarantee of the results in your case.

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