The winter months all across the country can be unforgiving. Winter storms can range in severity from being a minor nuisance to bringing entire cities to a standstill. When a winter storm hits it can dump a lot of precipitation in a short amount of time. The precipitation can vary from snow to sleet to ice to rain and everything in between. Most people will do everything possible to remain at home during a winter storm, but there are those who still need to get to work or who have to head to the Family Dollar for a couple of necessities. Depending on where you live, this could result in a brief walk down the block or a drive of a couple of minutes. Either way, the dangers caused by a winter storm can result in you suffering a slip and fall accident on snow and ice in a parking lot of a dollar store.

Who is Held Accountable in a Parking Lot Slip and Fall?

Parking lots are the most common place for a person to suffer a slip and fall accident on snow and ice. So, who is held accountable for such an accident in a parking lot? This can be difficult to nail down because of the various entities responsible for maintaining the lot and keeping it safe from known hazards. The immediate owner of the lot, which could be the owner of the shopping center or the Dollar Tree, could be a defendant in a claim. The company hired to manage the property could be another defendant. And, the company hired to clear the parking lot of all snow and ice could be a defendant in such a claim.

What is the Natural Accumulation Rule?

There is a rule that protects property owners from liability that is known as the natural accumulation rule. This rule prevents injured people from holding a property owner liable for a slip and fall on snow and ice in a parking lot if the snow and ice accumulated naturally. If the property owner somehow hindered the ability of the snow removal company from doing their job efficiently then the property owner can be held liable. If there is an issue with the property, such as an outdoor pipe that leaks into the parking lot and creates ice, the property owner can be held responsible for any injuries suffered.

Reasonable Amount of Time

In most jurisdictions, property owners do not have to remove snow and ice from their Dollar Tree stores in the middle of the storm. The owners have a reasonable amount of time to perform this task. Many jurisdictions view a reasonable amount of time as 24 hours from the completion of the storm if it was a major storm, such as a blizzard. If the storm dumped a couple inches of snow and some ice, the reasonable amount of time might be closer to eight hours from the completion of the weather event.

As you can see, traveling during a winter storm can be dangerous. It’s important to understand the law and your rights as a customer of a Family Dollar or Dollar General. The best way to avoid a slip and fall on snow and ice in a parking lot is to refrain from going out until the storm has cleared and you know property owners have had enough time to clear the hazards.