Slip and fall on ice. Who is liable in Illinois when someone slips and falls on an icy sidewalk?

Some people think that it’s better, from a legal perspective, not to shovel snow from their sidewalk. This belief stems from the idea that not shoveling snow will somehow protect a property owner from getting slapped with a lawsuit.

This issue is directly addressed by the Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act. The Act is meant to protect property owners who clear ice and snow from their sidewalk. In general, so long as a resident makes an effort to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks, he or she won’t be held liable for injuries resulting from a slip and fall on their sidewalk, except in cases of clear wrongdoing as defined by the Act.So what does this mean for slip and fall victims?

According to recent Illinois court rulings, property owners and snow removal contractors are immune from liability for injuries resulting from unnatural accumulations of snow and ice created or aggravated by the owner or snow removal contractor, unless their conduct was willful or wanton. What this means for slip and fall victims is that it is important to consult with an experienced injury lawyer who can give careful consideration to the specifics of an individual case in order to inform that person of his or her legal rights.

A slip and fall on an icy sidewalk can sometimes result in serious injuries. If you or someone you know have been the victim of a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk, dial 866-264-7639 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney from the Klest Injury Law Firm.