Residents of The District of Columbia are no strangers to long winters and the dangerous weather that comes with them. Residential, commercial, and public property owners alike are all subject to laws that require premises to be kept free of hazards. The responsibility of keeping a property safe applies after snow and ice storms. When a property owner fails to make sure the property is safe, a person can become seriously injured. If you were the victim of a slip and fall accident on snow or ice, you may want to consider your legal options. A snow & ice accident lawyer at Trombly & Singer has decades of experience representing clients in legal matters after an accident. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
Premises Liability in Washington D.C.
All property owners are required to keep their property free of any dangers that can cause another to become injured. If a property owner is negligent and fails to maintain a safe property, they may be held responsible by the injured party. In order to determine at what point a property owner should be held liable, municipalities will have a grace period that can allow a property owner time to clear any snow or ice. For example, in Washington D.C., both residential and commercial property owners are responsible for making sure they have cleared snow and ice within the first 8 hours of daylight after the snow or sleet stops falling, under D.C. Code § 9-601, the same duty that underlies many D.C. sidewalk accident claims. If a property owner fails to do so within that window, they may receive a fine from the municipality. In addition, after this grace period, property owners can be held liable for any injuries that occur on their property as a result of their negligence to clear the conditions.
Tort Liability in Washington D.C.
If an individual is injured on property owned by Washington D.C., they may be unsure of how to bring a lawsuit against the District. The Tort Liability Division handles claims against Washington D.C. for matters related to property damage or personal injury. Under D.C. Code § 12-309, a person injured on District property must give the District written notice of the claim within 6 months of the date of the accident. That six-month deadline is a notice requirement, not the statute of limitations; most personal injury lawsuits in the District must still be filed within three years under D.C. Code § 12-301(8), and missing the six-month notice deadline can bar a claim against the District even though the three-year filing period has not yet run.
Do I Still Have a Case if I Missed the 6-Month Notice Deadline?
Possibly. The six-month rule under D.C. Code § 12-309 applies to claims against the District itself, not to claims against a private property owner. A timely police report can also satisfy the notice requirement. Speak with a Washington, D.C. slip and fall lawyer before assuming your claim is gone.
Contact a Washington D.C. Snow & Ice Accident Lawyer
If you have been the victim of an accident on snow or ice, you may be suffering from a serious injury. The attorneys at Trombly & Singer understand that you may be subject to high medical expenses, lost wages, and a number of other burdens as a result of the accident. Our firm is prepared to help you recover significant compensation for your injuries. It is important to have strong legal representation to guide you through the complexities of bringing a personal injury lawsuit. Contact the attorneys at Trombly & Singer, PLLC today to provide you with quality legal services after an accident.
