Within the boundaries of Alberta, each city asks its homeowners to clear the snow from the sidewalk in front of their home. Different cities set a different deadline, for completion of that particular task. In Edmonton, it must be done within 48 hours; in Calgary a homeowner breaks the law, if he or she delays more than 24 hours.
Still, the mere removal of snow does not automatically shield a homeowner from any charge of liability, in the event that some passerby slips and falls on the sidewalk in front of that homeowner’s residence. Certain of a homeowner’s follow-up actions could trigger the filing of such a charge.
How could a homeowner’s actions encourage a court to support a claim that the same homeowner should be held liable for occurrence of a slip and fall incident?
Maybe the same homeowner had tried to exercise control of the section of sidewalk in front of his or her residence. Some homeowners do object, when members of the public use one section of a public walkway, namely the one in front of the building that houses the objecting homeowner and his or her family.
Perhaps the hazardous spot had formed when a homeowner’s attempt to cut expenses resulted in the absence of a hazard sign, when construction crews were working on or near the sidewalk. It could be that the homeowner failed to maintain a good level of drainage, around his or her house. In such a situation, water could pool in one area, and a hazardous/icy spot could form. By consulting with neighbors, personal injury lawyers of Spruce Grove could find out whether or not the allegedly guilty homeowner had carried out any of those actions.
How to fight such a homeowner, and claim compensation for fall-inflicted injuries?
It is important that the victim must gather proof that he or she has been injured, apart from having proof that homeowner caused the claimant’s injury. Such proof might be found in a doctor’ report. Then the next step is to get papers that reveal the value of medical bills and amount of money lost when victim was unable to work. Loss of wages is an important criterion that has to be considered.
Suppose someone slipped and fell on land owned by a municipality?
In such a situation, the victim has no more than 21 days in which to report the injury. In order to prove that the municipality is liable, victim must show gross negligence on the part of the municipality.
How to ensure preservation of all valuable evidence?
Victim should make note of the type of footwear what he or she was wearing; the same footwear should be kept in safe spot. It is vital to collect useful information on witnesses and arrange for documentation of all medical reports. The personal injury lawyer in Spruce Grove will need all of these to draft a strong claim.