Slip & fall on ice near Milwaukee: lawsuits & lawyers Attorneys can get higher settlement amount offered if they've won in court.
The legal team at Warshafsky Law knows how to get insurance companies and liable parties to give you the financial restitution you deserve. Settlement amounts for slip and fall on ice accident lawsuits vary widely depending on the severity of the injury, amount of time off work, whether the property manager was entirely responsible, and other factors. Our Milwaukee slip and fall injury lawyerswill hold the responsible parties accountable, whether you slipped on ice at work, in front of a home or business, or on other public or private property.
Slip & fall settlement amounts depend on your total damages (lost wages, medical bills, pain, suffering, and more) along with the quality of your personal injury lawyer. In Wisconsin, slip & fall cases over $5000 are not handled in small claims court.
Wisconsin Personal Injury Law Firm Sues for Premises Liability
While Wisconsin winter weather can be beautiful, it can also be dangerous. Black ice, in particular, causes many people to slip and fall, resulting in anything from minor bruises to severe and long-lasting injuries. Possible injuries from slipping and falling on ice include:
Back fracture
Shoulder pain
Knee injury
Broken arm
Broken hip
Head injury
Concussion
Bleeding in the brain
Herniated disc
What to Do if You Fall on Ice on Private Property or Municipal Land in Wisconsin
First, if you’ve been seriously hurt, seek medical attention. If you know you’ve hurt your back, get up slowly and carefully. Hold on to a railing or other handhold if possible.
Your next step after slipping and falling on ice is to determine where the incident occurred. Just because a sidewalk is in front of a specific property, such as a store, restaurant, hospital, or apartment complex, does not mean the owner is liable. The sidewalk might be controlled by the city. Make sure you find the correct owner or property manager to create an incident report after your fall.
Next, it is important to determine the type of snow or ice you fell in. Snow and ice in the state of Wisconsin is either natural or artificial accumulation. The former is considered expected and acceptable, such as fresh snow after a blizzard before anyone could be expected to remove it. Artificial accumulation comes from any snow or ice caused by man-made intervention, intentional or not. If a small business owner poured a bucket of water onto a sidewalk when the temperature was below freezing or if the snowplow pushed snow onto the sidewalk, the resulting condition would be considered artificial accumulation.
Schedule a free initial consultation with our Milwaukee personal injury law firm to get started. Our slip and fall attorneys will help you through each step of the legal process as you sue for damages. We’ll fight until you get the compensation you deserve for any medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Treating Back Pain after a Fall on Ice
Back pain is one of the most common injuries to result from slipping on ice. In many cases, the injury is minor and the soreness will fade over time on its own. To aid in healing and relieve pain, avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting. Do some careful, gentle stretching. Icing the injured areas helps decrease inflammation.
See a doctor if:
The pain lasts longer than a few weeks
You have or are at risk for osteoporosis
The pain makes breathing difficult
The pain makes standing or sitting difficult
Pain radiates down your leg when straightened (could indicate herniated disc)
How to Not Slip on Ice
The next time you’re walking on ice, follow these tips to try to avoid a fall:
Wear appropriate snow boots for better traction
Take short, careful steps
Plant your whole foot instead of just your heel
If you do find yourself falling, it is generally advised to try to catch yourself with your forearm. It is much easier to recover from a broken arm than a back fracture or bleeding in your brain due to hitting your head on the sidewalk.
Slip and Fall on Black Ice
Black ice generally refers to a very thin layer of ice on the street or sidewalk. It forms when light rain falls on roads, bridges, or sidewalks when the surface is below freezing temperatures. The extremely thin, clear layer of ice often looks like wet pavement, making it deceptively hard to see. Whether you’re walking or driving, keep an eye out for dark and glossy patches on otherwise dry pavement, especially in shaded areas which may be colder.
