Snow, Snow and More Snow

by David Tapalian February 12, 2015

With another storm on the horizon, New Englanders are wondering – where will all the snow go? Every year around this time, we see an uptick in the amount of slip and fall injury cases in Massachusetts and Rhode Island due to businesses not effectively removing snow and ice from their properties. Specifically for those in Massachusetts, premise liability requires that business and property owners uphold a standard of care when it comes to snow and ice removal. The standard of care is reasonableness but what does that mean?

In Massachusetts, businesses are not expected to remove every last bit of snow and ice, especially during a storm, but they are expected to have a plan that is reasonable. This means planning ahead and having snow removal services on call and procuring supplies like salt, sand, shovels and even snow blowers (which are already sold out at stores across the region). It also means identifying who in your company will be responsible for making the call to close or open based on weather conditions and state driving bans. A written plan helps ensure that your business took reasonable measures to effectively remove snow and ice from their properties.

Determining liability for slip and falls in Massachusetts and Rhode Island is very fact intensive. Despite a business or property owners best efforts to remove snow and ice, you can still be hurt in a slip and fall accident. An attorney can help you understand who is responsible for your injuries. Call Attorney David Tapalian for a free consultation today.