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Massachusetts court overturns 125-year-old slip and fall accident laws

Slip and fall accidents often happen on icy sidewalks and parking lots in Massachusetts during the winter. In the past, the state’s courts made a distinction between snow and ice conditions caused by nature and those caused artificially.

Not anymore. In a recent ruling, the state’s Supreme Judicial Court threw out a 125-year-old ruling that makes a distinction between natural and artificial snow and ice hazards. In the past, courts in Massachusetts had stated property owners did nothing wrong when they didn’t remove ice or snow that accumulated there naturally.

Instead, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled unanimously that effective immediately, property owners can be held liable for snow or ice on a walkway even if the snow accumulated there by natural means. In general, the ruling means that walkways in Massachusetts must be safe to walk on at all times. The court ruling will also be applied retroactively to all pending lawsuits.

Slip and fall accidents often cause serious injuries. Such severe injuries include brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. What would you do if you sustained an injury in a slip and fall accident? Who would you trust? Who would you turn to after your accident to make sure you receive the compensation you entitled to and the justice you deserve?

You need a law firm that will fight for your rights. You need aggressive, experienced attorneys who understand the law and know how to win. You need the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone.

Allow us to evaluate your case for free. You don’t pay unless you win. Contact Mark E. Salomone today. We mean business.

Pedestrian accidents plague Massachusetts. Know the facts.

Every 8 minutes, a pedestrian sustains an injury in a traffic accident in America, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s more than 69,000 injuries each year. In some cases, such accidents are fatal. In 2008, 4,378 pedestrians were killed in accidents nationwide. That figure has been declining nearly every year since 1998, when 5,228 pedestrians were killed across the country.

Sadly, Massachusetts is not immune to pedestrian accidents. Just recently, a man was killed while crossing the street in East Longmeadow.

Statistically, men are much more likely than women to be killed in a pedestrian accident. More than 70 percent of all pedestrians killed are men. And while such accidents can happen anytime or anywhere, the vast majority of pedestrian accidents happen at night (70 percent) and in urban areas (72 percent). Perhaps more surprisingly, 89 percent of all pedestrian accidents happen during normal weather conditions.

Knowing what to do after a pedestrian accident can be difficult. We can help. The Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone will vigorously defend you. When you choose us, you get a law firm that understands the law and knows how to win.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone. We’re on your side.