Learn how Wisconsin’s winter weather affects slip and fall liability and how Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin helps victims injured on icy sidewalks and parking lots recover compensation.
Wisconsin winters are beautiful — but also dangerous. Snow, sleet, and ice turn sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways into hazardous zones for pedestrians. Every year, thousands of residents suffer serious injuries from slip and fall accidents caused by icy conditions.
While some falls are truly unavoidable, many happen because property owners fail to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe. When that negligence leads to injury, victims have the right to seek justice and compensation.
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we’ve been helping injured Wisconsinites for more than 30 years. Our attorneys know how to hold negligent property owners accountable — and how Wisconsin’s unique winter weather laws can affect your claim.
Here’s what every resident should know about slip and fall liability during Wisconsin’s harsh winter months.
Wisconsin’s climate creates ideal conditions for slip and fall hazards. Rapid temperature changes cause snow to melt during the day and refreeze overnight, forming nearly invisible black ice.
Common causes of winter slip and fall accidents include:
While winter weather can’t be controlled, failure to respond to it responsibly can still be negligence. Property owners are expected to anticipate these dangers and take reasonable steps to prevent them.
Under Wisconsin law, property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises. This includes removing snow and ice within a reasonable time after it accumulates.
However, liability depends on where the fall occurred and who controls the property:
Wisconsin law also recognizes the “natural accumulation” rule, which means property owners aren’t automatically liable for injuries caused by naturally formed snow or ice. But when they fail to maintain their property properly, or when hazardous conditions result from unnatural accumulation (such as poor drainage or snow piled in unsafe areas), liability becomes much clearer.
One of Wisconsin’s most important legal protections for slip and fall victims is the Safe Place Statute (Wis. Stat. § 101.11).
This law requires owners and employers to:
“Construct, repair, and maintain every place of employment and public building as to render the same safe.”
The Safe Place Statute places a higher duty of care on property owners than ordinary negligence laws. That means businesses, landlords, and employers can be held responsible for injuries caused by unsafe winter conditions, even if they didn’t directly cause them.
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we use this statute to strengthen our clients’ cases and hold negligent owners accountable for dangerous winter hazards.
Slip and fall accidents on snow or ice often cause severe and lasting injuries, especially among older adults. Common examples include:
These injuries can lead to long-term disability, loss of mobility, or the need for ongoing rehabilitation. Victims deserve compensation not just for immediate costs but also for future care and reduced quality of life.
To recover damages, victims must prove that the property owner’s negligence caused the fall. This requires showing:
Evidence in these cases often includes:
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we move quickly to preserve this evidence before weather or cleanup efforts erase it.
Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault — as long as you are 50% or less responsible.
For instance, if a jury finds you 20% at fault for not wearing proper footwear and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.
Insurance companies often use this rule to shift blame onto victims, claiming they should have “been more careful.” Our attorneys know how to counter these arguments and ensure that liability is assigned fairly.
Victims of winter slip and fall accidents may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
In fatal cases, families may also pursue wrongful death claims to recover funeral costs and loss of companionship.
Our attorneys have decades of experience proving fault in challenging winter accident cases. We understand how to interpret weather records, maintenance logs, and legal duties to build a compelling argument for compensation.
Our approach includes:
This thorough, trial-ready approach consistently leads to higher settlements and verdicts for our clients.
For over 30 years, Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin has represented injured people across the state. We have recovered over $100 million for clients and built a reputation for fighting — and winning — against powerful insurance companies.
When you hire us, you get:
We believe in restoring balance and holding negligent property owners accountable for unsafe winter conditions.
If you’re injured on ice or snow, take these steps immediately:
Quick action preserves crucial evidence and strengthens your case.
Winter is part of life in Wisconsin — but suffering a serious injury because of someone else’s negligence shouldn’t be. Property owners have a legal and moral duty to keep their premises safe, even when the weather turns severe.
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we help victims of icy slip and fall accidents stand up to negligent owners and insurance companies. We’ll handle the legal battle so you can focus on recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a winter slip and fall anywhere in Wisconsin, contact Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin today for a free consultation. We’ll fight to prove negligence, protect your rights, and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
