Man wins suit after falling in icy apartment complex parking lot

When a debilitating or painful slip-and-fall injury occurs on a snow- or ice-covered property in Connecticut, the harmed individual may file a legal action to seek relief. The owner of a property is liable if he or she neglected to maintain the premises in a safe and working condition. 

A 69-year-old Danbury resident slipped and fell on ice in the parking lot of the apartment complex where he rented a unit. The fall resulted in serious injuries to his left shoulder and one of his eyes also suffered harm. The man sued the owners of the apartment complex for negligent and careless maintenance, as reported by the Patch Network.  

As a defense, the property’s owner attempted to blame the fall on the resident for not wearing proper footwear. The defense team went so far as to claim that the man failed to use his own faculties and senses, and which led to his fall. The court, however, settled the case and awarded the resident $190,000. 

Duty owed to provide a warning sign 

Each property owner has a duty of care to its visitors and residents in adequately maintaining the premises in a safe and working condition. A general duty of care is owed in keeping a property’s sidewalks, driveways and parking lots free from hazards, which includes ice and snow. If the conditions on a property render it temporarily unsafe, such as during construction or when it is not possible to shovel ice and snow, the property owner must provide a visible warning sign.  

Property owners’ general responsibilities  

In Connecticut, each property owner has a duty of care to remove defects and obstructions. This includes snow and ice during the winter. An exception may exist in circumstances such as an ongoing snowstorm, in which it may be impossible to continuously keep the premises free of ice or snow. Property owners must also salt walkways and provide sufficient lighting to ensure premises are safe. If a property’s owner or management neglects to adequately care for its premises, the owner may be liable for any bodily injuries that occur.