Slip, Trip, and Fall Lawyers for Toronto and the GTA

If you were hurt in a slip, trip, or fall because a property was not kept reasonably safe, you may have a claim against the occupier who let the hazard exist. In Ontario, one deadline is easy to miss: falls caused by snow or ice carry a short 60-day written notice rule. A slip and fall lawyer can protect that deadline and build your case.

What the law expects of property owners

Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act sets the duty to keep people reasonably safe on a property. That covers supermarkets, restaurants, apartment buildings, parking lots, stairwells, and private homes. To succeed, you generally need to show the occupier knew or should have known about the hazard and did not take reasonable steps to fix it or warn you.

The 60-day rule for snow and ice, do not miss it

Since January 29, 2021, Ontario requires anyone injured by snow or ice to give written notice within 60 days of the fall. The notice must include the date, time, and location and be served on an occupier or their snow-removal contractor by personal service or registered mail. You can read the requirement in the 60-day snow and ice notice rule added to the Occupiers’ Liability Act. Miss it and your claim can be barred, with only narrow exceptions, so contact a lawyer quickly after a winter fall. A separate, even shorter notice period can apply when the fall happens on a municipal sidewalk or road, which is another reason to get advice early.

Where GTA falls happen

We help people injured in falls at supermarkets and grocery stores, restaurants, parking lots, stairways, on sidewalks, and at airports. Winter falls on icy walkways and lots are a GTA reality from November through March, and they are among the most time-sensitive claims we see.

What you can pursue

A successful claim can cover medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, and pain and suffering. Unlike motor vehicle claims, slip and fall awards are not reduced by the auto insurance deductible, so the full value of your general damages is on the table.

What to do next

Get medical care and report the fall to the property right away. Photograph the exact hazard, the footwear you wore, and the conditions, including any snow or ice. Note the date, time, and precise location. Keep the receipts. Then call us fast, especially for a winter fall, so the 60-day notice is served correctly.

A fall can upend your life in a second. Let us handle the claim while you recover. Book a free consultation with a Merricks slip and fall lawyer today. Call 416-986-3036, or reach us any time at 905-624-4878. No fees unless we win. Click or Call, That’s All!®

FAQ:

• How long do I have after a slip and fall? The general limitation period is two years, but snow and ice falls require written notice within 60 days, and municipal falls can carry an even shorter deadline. Act quickly.

• What do I need to prove? Generally, that the occupier knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to take reasonable steps to address it.

• Is there a deductible like car accident cases? No. The auto insurance deductible does not apply to slip and fall claims.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create a solicitor-client relationship.