When the cold weather comes around in Ontario, it opens up a realm of opportunity for accidents. This is especially the case regarding slip and fall accidents in or around your home. No matter the weather or situation, we know accidents happen. This is why having adequate home insurance coverage is crucial. According to CTV News, thousands of Canadians are hurt each year due to falling on icy stairs, steps, and sidewalks. So, what exactly happens if someone falls on your property?
What is a slip and fall injury?
A slip-and-fall injury is exactly what it sounds like. These occur when someone sustains an injury due to slipping, tripping, stumbling, or falling. Generally, injuries include head trauma, fractures, broken bones, and spinal issues as the result of slip and fall accidents. These can occur on a flat surface or with multiple levels, such as falling down stairs. Defining exactly what a slip and fall accident is tends to involve the circumstances that lead to the fall. Some areas where accidents occur include:
- Houses
- Apartment complexes
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
- Parking lots
- Gyms and restaurants
- Parks and playgrounds
What are the most common causes of slip and fall accidents?
Many different situations can cause slip-and-fall accidents. These types of accidents can occur anywhere, from workplaces to your front porch. So, doing your best to stay on top of regular maintenance and removing hazards is crucial to avoid injury or a hefty lawsuit. Some examples of situations that can lead to a slip and fall include:
- Potholes and cracked surfaces
- Broken handrails
- Liquid spills
- Uneven flooring
- Clutter on floors
- Snow/ice and sleet
- Improper lighting
- Age or illnesses that cause balance issues
Do I have legal liability regarding slips and falls at my home?
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), you are held accountable for keeping your property free from hazards. If you fail to ensure your property is safe, you will be held responsible for what happens. As a homeowner, you are responsible for ensuring your guests or passersby are free from any danger. This includes clearing snow from your walkways and driveway, salting slippery surfaces, and clearing all potentially dangerous debris. Also, in warmer seasons, you are responsible for ensuring there are no tripping hazards or excessively wet surfaces poolside.
It’s important to note that you aren’t off the hook even if you do not own your home. As a renter, you share the liability with your landlord to make sure your guests are safe. According to the IBC, your best bet is to ensure your property undergoes regular maintenance. This is the case, no matter the season.
Ontario slip and fall statistics
Unfortunately, slip-and-fall accidents are far from uncommon. According to Statistics Canada, slip-and-fall injuries represent over 40% of the preventable injuries in Canada. To put this into perspective, over 42,000 Canadians are injured every year due to slip-and-fall accidents. This number accounts for accidents in the workplace, which is the most common area where slip-and-fall accidents occur. About 17% of all time-loss injuries in Canada are due to slips and falls.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, 34% of falling accidents occur from a higher level to a lower level, while 66% occur on the same ground level.
How can I avoid liability surrounding slip and fall accidents?
In most cases, your home insurance policy will protect you if someone injures themselves on your property. If you rent, it is essential to ask about your tenant/renters’ policy details to ensure you have enough coverage. The liability portion of these policies will help you cover claims in case someone sues you for injury.
When someone slips and falls on your driveway, it can cause a considerable amount of money in damages. Something as simple as not salting your driveway or shoveling can be costly if someone hurts themselves. If someone injures themselves in a slip-and-fall accident, your insurance will likely cover medical bills, rehabilitation, loss of income, or other expenses. You will first need to be found legally liable for any damages that occur to the third party for your insurance policy to respond.
In terms of damages, what can I expect if I file a claim?
The damages you can expect during a slip-and-fall claim can vary greatly.
To fully understand, we must first review precisely what “damages” are. Damages refer to the amount of money you receive in a lawsuit to help a person recover from their injuries or other payments that need to be made. This can include ambulance bills, different types of bills, and compensation for missed work.
The damages you can expect can range from thousands to even millions of dollars. This will depend heavily on the severity of the injury and the losses that occur as a result. They might be off work for a week or several months, which ranges greatly.
What happens if I don’t have insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, expect to potentially pay a large sum of money out-of-pocket if a slip-and-fall accident occurs. According to the laws in Ontario, you are responsible for paying out the damages to the person suing you. Depending on the severity of the injury, these costs can vary and can even add up to $1 million in some cases. Due to this, most insurance providers offer liability coverage of $1 million-$2 million dollars. Knowing that these accidents can happen anytime, no matter the home, is essential. Accidents can still occur even if you are generally on top of maintenance. This is why it is crucial to protect yourself from situations by having adequate homeowners’ or renter’s insurance.
It is absolutely crucial to have slip-and-fall liability coverage within your home insurance policy in case an accident does occur. Failure to do so will result in a large amount of money being taken out of your pocket, which nobody wants to happen. If you are unsure of your home insurance policy details or are looking to receive a quote, contact us today!
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