Slipped on Ice in Ontario? What to Do About Your Legal Rights

Ontario winters are beautiful but can also be hazardous. Ice and snow can make surfaces dangerous, and serious injuries are a real risk. Property owners and others in Ontario have duties under the Occupiers' Liability Act to keep premises reasonably safe. If you've slipped on ice, understanding your legal rights and the steps to take right away is essential to protecting yourself.

1. Who's on the Hook?

Several parties may be responsible when someone slips on ice in Ontario:

• Property owners: Owners are generally required to ensure walkways, parking lots, and entrances are reasonably safe. This often includes clearing snow, salting, and sanding to reduce ice hazards.

• Property managers: If a management company or agent is responsible for maintenance, they share liability for ensuring safety procedures are followed.

• Cities and towns (municipalities): Municipalities have duties for public sidewalks and roads. Claims against them typically have specific notice requirements and tight procedural deadlines.

• Snow removal contractors: If a contractor was hired to clear snow and ice, they may be liable if they performed the work negligently (for example, leaving untreated icy spots).

Determining who is responsible in your situation is a critical first step in any claim.

2. You'll Need to Prove Negligence

To succeed in a slip and fall claim caused by ice, you must generally show that the responsible party was negligent — that they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the risk. Useful evidence includes:

• Photos of the scene: Clear images showing the hazardous area and the conditions at the time of the incident.

• Weather information: Records of recent snow, freezing rain, or temperature changes that explain how the ice formed or should have been expected.

• Absence of salt or sand: Evidence that appropriate de-icing materials were not used, or were used inadequately.

• Maintenance records: Logs or contracts showing how (and when) the property was serviced.

• Witness statements: Accounts from people who saw the fall or observed the hazardous condition beforehand.

Collecting and preserving this evidence as soon as possible after the fall significantly strengthens a claim.

3. Report the Fall Right Away

Report your fall immediately to the property owner, manager, or municipality, and complete any official incident report available. Creating an official record of the incident and your injuries is important — failing to report promptly can make a claim less credible later on.

4. Get Medical Attention

Your health is the top priority. Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries appear minor at first. Medical records create an essential link between the fall and your injuries and support claims for medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of income.

5. Deadlines Are Time-Sensitive

Be aware of strict deadlines that apply to these claims:

• Municipal claims: If you are claiming against a municipality, you often must provide written notice very quickly (commonly within 10 days of the incident). These notice requirements are strictly enforced.

• Limitation period: For most personal injury claims in Ontario, the Limitations Act, 2002 requires that legal proceedings be commenced within two years of the date of the incident. Missing these deadlines can prevent your claim from proceeding.

Because of these time constraints, take action immediately to preserve your rights.

6. Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Falls on ice can cause a wide range of injuries. Common examples include:

• Fractures: Wrists, hips, ankles, and arms are frequently broken in falls.

• Concussions and head injuries: A blow to the head can cause concussion or more serious brain injury.

• Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and tendon injuries often result from sudden impacts.

• Back and spine injuries: Herniated discs, strains, and chronic back pain can follow a fall.

• Shoulder injuries: Tears to tendons or ligaments, and limited range of motion, are common.

Have your injuries documented by a medical professional to ensure proper treatment and to support any legal claim for damages.

7. Contact Pelz Law Group Immediately

Handling a slip and fall claim on ice requires prompt, experienced legal help. Evidence must be preserved, medical records obtained, and procedural deadlines met. Pelz Law Group has extensive experience handling these cases across Ontario and understands the relevant provincial laws and procedural requirements.

Pelz Law Group guides clients through the claims process, providing practical legal advice and vigorous representation aimed at protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.

If you slipped on ice and need reliable legal advice and support, Pelz Law Group Can Help.