Slips and Falls.
Property owners have to keep their premises reasonably safe. If you were hurt on icy walkways, poorly lit stairs, or hazards the owner should have addressed, we’ll help you hold them to it.
Understanding property owner liability
In Ontario, slips, trips, and falls are governed by the Occupiers’ Liability Act. Anyone who owns, manages, or controls a property (retail stores, landlords, private homeowners, municipalities) has a legal duty to keep it reasonably safe for the people who use it.
Common hazards we see:
- Unplowed ice or un-sanded snow on walkways
- Liquid spills left uncleaned in store aisles
- Broken handrails or uneven stairwells
- Hidden changes in floor elevation without warning
The 10-day municipal notice rule
If your slip and fall happened on a municipal sidewalk, walkway, or other public property,, Ontario law adds a short and unforgiving notice rule:
You have to give the city or municipality written notice within 10 days of the fall. Miss the window and the right to bring a lawsuit can be lost.
That’s a common way a good case becomes a closed case. If you’re reading this and the fall was recent, the most useful thing you can do today is call us.
What to do after a fall
- Document the scene. Photos of the ice, the spill, the broken stair, the lighting, the surroundings.
- Seek medical care. A clinic or hospital visit creates a formal record of the injury.
- Get in touch. We take over the property investigation and lock down the evidence before it disappears.
PRACTICE AREAS
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Protect your right to compensation.
Whether the fall was on a city sidewalk or private property, deadlines apply. Speak with our team in a free, no-obligation consultation. We respond within 3 business hours.