Connecticut residents know that as fall leaves and winter comes in, bad weather starts to creep in alongside it. There can be ice, hail, rain, or snow. Bad weather like this easily contributes to dangerous conditions, and people going outside should be aware of the risks.
The cold weather is an issue all on its own, and weather.gov makes a point of showing just how deadly it can be. Frigid temperatures affect shoppers every year. Many people wait outside before stores open in order to get merchandise before it sells out. Sometimes lines for shops are so long that people have to wait outdoors even after the store has opened. It isn’t unheard of for people to suffer from hypothermia or even frostbite in these conditions.
As FindLaw shows, slip-and-fall incidents are also common. Rain, sleet and ice can make paved surfaces slick. This includes sidewalks and parking lots, which can be a particularly nasty hazard for people making their way from the stores to their cars. Often times their arms loaded up with boxes, so they are unable to catch themselves if they fall. Black ice can be difficult to detect as well. Not only does this mean it’s easier for people to slip on it, but it also means it might be missed when sand or salt is being laid down, which can give people a false sense of security.
These poor conditions can make it easier for a person to slip, fall, and become injured during their outings into the harsh winter weather. Staying vigilant can help, but accidents still happen. Financial compensation may be sought by those suffering.