Metzger & Kleiner represented a woman whose life changed dramatically after slipping and falling on untreated ice at her apartment complex. This wasn’t merely a slip—it was a devastating event leading to severe, life-altering injuries, resulting directly from negligence in ice and snow removal by two responsible parties. 

What Happened: 

Our client, a dedicated professional working as a senior research analyst, had lived at the apartment complex for almost six years. The incident occurred on an icy February morning as she took recyclables out around 5:45 AM. Despite the danger, she initially thought she could safely navigate the slippery conditions to reach the dumpsters. Her first indication of serious trouble was when she approached the dumpsters and noticed how thick and treacherous the ice was. 

As she cautiously attempted to discard her recyclables, she slipped violently backward, instinctively breaking her fall with her left wrist. She heard a sickening crack and immediately knew she was seriously hurt. Attempting to regain her footing, she managed only a few steps before falling again, this time fracturing her right wrist. Helpless and injured, unable to rise, she sat in the icy street until her husband arrived and drove her to the hospital—an ordeal worsened by the fact that her husband also fell due to the treacherous conditions. 

The Severe Injuries: 

At the hospital, our client discovered that both wrists were fractured severely, necessitating casts from knuckles to elbows on both arms. These injuries had immediate and profound impacts, dramatically impairing her ability to perform even basic daily tasks, let alone continue her professional responsibilities without significant struggle and adaptation. 

A Failure of Basic Safety: 

The investigation revealed alarming facts: both the apartment complex and the snow removal company it contracted failed in their fundamental duty to ensure safe, ice-free walkways for residents. 

Key failures included: 

• The snow removal company was hired without proper vetting or a clear, detailed safety plan. 

• No effective pre-treatment of surfaces occurred, despite forecasts clearly warning of hazardous weather. 

• On-site personnel failed to inspect and treat obvious icy patches adequately, neglecting even basic industry standards. 

• There was no documented procedure or follow-up inspections after the weather event, despite assurances in the contract of 24/7 responsiveness. 

Clear Negligence: 

Documentation and deposition testimony highlighted significant negligence: 

• No application of appropriate deicing materials at critical times, despite the presence of equipment and materials onsite. 

• A lack of industry-standard procedures such as pre-treatment and anti-icing, widely recognized as essential for safe winter maintenance. 

• Failure to conduct or document regular safety inspections, a standard practice intended to prevent exactly such incidents. 

Impact on Daily Life: 

Before her injuries, our client was active, productive, and independent, successfully managing her career and personal life. Post-incident, her life was severely restricted: 

• Basic self-care became a painful challenge due to both wrists being incapacitated. 

• Her ability to perform her professional duties was significantly impacted, altering her career trajectory. 

• The trauma extended emotionally and psychologically, affecting her relationships and daily interactions. 

Legal Accountability: 

At Metzger & Kleiner, we firmly established the culpability of the property management and snow removal company. Our meticulous investigation included weather data analysis, expert evaluations, and detailed examination of snow removal logs, exposing repeated breaches of standard safety practices. 

Specifically: 

• Neither the apartment complex nor the snow removal contractor adequately monitored weather conditions or reacted proactively. 

• Industry experts confirmed that proper adherence to standard safety protocols and effective management practices would have prevented the hazardous conditions. 

Why We Fight: 

At Metzger & Kleiner, our mission extends beyond simply winning cases—we strive to ensure accountability, promote safer practices, and help clients regain as much normalcy as possible following severe incidents. 

Our client deserved better. This was not merely an unfortunate accident—it was a predictable, preventable incident resulting from negligence. 

We held those responsible accountable for every aspect of our client’s injury and the lasting impacts on her life. 

If your life or a loved one’s has been disrupted by negligence, especially in slip-and-fall incidents caused by poor maintenance or oversight, Metzger & Kleiner is here for you. Contact us today for a consultation. Let us help restore your life by demanding the accountability and justice you deserve.