How Should Businesses Prevent Winter Slip-and-Fall Accidents

With winter temperatures in Missouri often dipping below freezing, snow, ice, and sleet turn walkways into slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents outdoors and around doorways. According to 2024 research, 13.1 ER visits out of 10,000 nationwide happen due to falls on snow or ice. The risk is 3 times higher in states with freezing winters, like Missouri.

Every business should be ready to implement measures to minimize risks and maintain safe, walkable surfaces in winter conditions. Failing to do so could result in liability for slip-and-fall injuries sustained by visitors and employees on the property. If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to weather-related hazards, contact our legal team today for a free case consultation.

The Increased Risk of Winter Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Cold temperatures, snow, ice, sleet, and occasional ice storms characterize Missouri winters. These weather events are common and are closely monitored by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

These conditions often create hazards on walkways and in parking lots, including icy surfaces and layers of snow that conceal potential trip hazards. Even indoors, melting ice and snow tracked in on shoes and clothing can lead to wet, slippery floors, adding to the danger.

All these factors heighten the risk of slip-and-fall incidents for employees, visitors, and passersby on the premises. Common fall injuries include bruises, fractures, lacerations, and dislocations. One of the most severe injuries is traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the CDC, falls are the most common cause of TBIs, with about 190 fatal accidents every day in 2021. 

Legal and Financial Consequences for Businesses

If someone slips and falls on a business’s property, the company may be liable for all of the victim’s damages, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering resulting from the injury.

Missouri’s premises liability laws require business owners to take reasonable steps to ensure safety on their property. This can include clearing ice and snow from walkways, placing caution signs on wet floors, and ensuring proper lighting in high-traffic areas.

When a business fails to take these precautions, it risks lawsuits and increased insurance premiums. The company may be found negligent under Missouri law, where proving liability often depends on showing that the business had or should have had knowledge of the hazard and failed to address it in time before someone was injured by their negligence.

If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident on the premises of a Missouri business, contact the St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Cofman Townsley. Our team can help you determine the business’s liability and seek compensation for your injury.

Preventing Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Practical Strategies

Businesses can reduce the risk of a slip-and-fall in the winter and follow Missouri law by adopting the simple measures below. When they fail to do so, your lawyer can use it as evidence of their negligence in your injury case.

• Snow and Ice Removal: Property owners and managers must consistently remove snow and ice from sidewalks, entryways, and parking lots. Clearing these areas early and often helps prevent ice buildup and reduces the risk of falls. Along with shoveling, businesses should use salt, sand, or de-icing agents to minimize ice formation and keep surfaces safer.
• Sidewalk and Parking Lot Maintenance: Cracks or uneven pavement covered by snow or ice are hidden hazards that increase the risk of falls. Businesses should inspect outdoor walkways and parking lots for damage and repair any cracks or potholes that may be exacerbated by winter weather.
• Adequate Lighting: Poor lighting can make it difficult for customers and employees to see icy or slippery spots, especially during shorter winter days. Businesses should install and maintain sufficient lighting around entryways, sidewalks, and parking lots to help people identify hazards and navigate safely.
• Warning Signs: When wet or icy conditions cannot be immediately addressed, businesses should use clear signage to alert people to potential hazards. “Caution: Wet Floor” signs near entrances where snow may melt or where floors may be damp can forewarn customers and employees of slippery conditions until they can be cleaned up or made safe.
• Indoor Matting: Property owners and managers should install heavy-duty mats at entrances to help reduce the amount of water and snow tracked inside. Mats provide traction and absorb moisture, minimizing the spread of water onto floors and reducing the chance of slips indoors.
• Winter Safety Training: Businesses should train and educate employees on winter safety protocols, such as recognizing, addressing, and reporting potential hazards. They generally also should make sure their employees have appropriate equipment, such as winter-safe footwear and safety gear, when clearing ice and snow or other hazards to prevent harm to their employees.

Get Legal Representation After a Fall

All businesses in St. Louis and Missouri are responsible for keeping their premises safe in the winter. If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to a negligent business owner failing to winterize their property, you need representation from experienced lawyers.

The team at Cofman Townsley specializes in slip-and-fall cases. We can help you obtain evidence of the business owner’s negligence and seek compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and explore your legal options.