Newton Slip and Fall Accidents: When Unsafe Winter Conditions Cause Serious Injury

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injury in Massachusetts, especially during winter months. Snow and ice create hazardous conditions, but that does not excuse property owners from their legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. When businesses fail to take proper precautions, customers can suffer devastating, life-altering injuries.

AtNew England Law Group, we recently represented a woman in her early 70s who was injured in a slip and fall accident at a popular supermarket in Newton. Her case is a powerful reminder of why property owners must take winter safety seriously—and why injured individuals deserve strong legal representation.

A Preventable Grocery Store Slip and Fall

On a snowy winter day, our client drove to her local supermarket to run a routine errand. Like any customer, she had every reason to believe the parking lot would be properly cleared and treated. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

The supermarket had hired a third-party snow removal and salting contractor to maintain the parking lot. Despite known snowy and icy conditions, the contractor failed to respond in a timely manner and did not adequately salt or treat the area where customers parked.

As our client exited her vehicle and took just a few steps toward the store entrance, she slipped almost immediately on untreated ice. The fall was violent and sudden. She landed hard, sustaining a serious hip fracture—an injury that often has lasting consequences for older adults.

She continues to experience pain, mobility limitations, and disruption to her daily life as a result of this fall.

Hip Fractures Are Serious Injuries

Hip fractures are not “minor” injuries. For many individuals, particularly those in their 60s and 70s, a hip fracture can result in:

• Surgery and hospitalization
• Months of physical therapy
• Loss of independence
• Chronic pain or reduced mobility
• Increased risk of future falls

In some cases, people never fully return to their prior level of activity. The impact is physical, emotional, and financial.

Who Is Responsible Under Massachusetts Premises Liability Law?

Massachusetts law requires property owners and businesses to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe. This includes parking lots, walkways, and entrances—areas customers must use to access the business.

Importantly, hiring a snow removal company does not eliminate responsibility. If snow and ice are not addressed within a reasonable time, both the property owner and the contractor may be held liable.

In this case:

• The supermarket failed to ensure safe conditions for customers
• The snow removal subcontractor failed to properly treat the parking lot
• The hazardous condition was foreseeable and preventable

These failures directly led to our client’s injury.

Early Insurance Settlement Offers Are Often Misleading

Following the incident, insurance companies for both the supermarket and the snow removal contractor made initial settlement offers. While this suggests recognition of liability, these early offers are often significantly lower than the true value of the case.

Insurance companies frequently attempt to resolve claims quickly—before:

• Long-term medical outcomes are known
• Future treatment needs are identified
• The full impact on quality of life is understood

At New England Law Group, we do not accept inadequate settlements. Based on the severity of our client’s injuries and ongoing limitations, we anticipate a substantially larger settlement in the coming months.

Why Having an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer Matters

Slip and fall cases—particularly those involving snow and ice—require careful investigation. Our firm examines:

• Snow removal contracts and service logs
• Timing and adequacy of salting and plowing
• Weather data and response times
• Surveillance footage and incident reports
• Medical records and long-term prognosis

We negotiate aggressively and are prepared to litigate when necessary to hold negligent parties accountable.

Helping Injured People Across Massachusetts

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere—grocery stores, parking lots, apartment complexes, and commercial properties. When they result in serious injury, the consequences can be overwhelming.

New England Law Group is committed to protecting injured individuals throughout Massachusetts, including Newton and surrounding communities. If unsafe conditions caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term losses. Contact Us Today!