Because of the completely unexpected nature of these accidents, fairly serious injuries may occur. Potential “at fault” persons are the owner and tenant of the property where the fall occurred, and the municipality if the fall occurred on public property such as sidewalks and municipal parking lots.

If an owner or tenant is solely at fault, no formal written notice is necessary.

If a municipality is potentially at fault, the right to make a claim for compensation must be preserved. Written notice of the accident must be delivered to the Clerk of the municipality within ten (10) days from the date of the accident. If this is not done the right to claim compensation may be lost.

An action must be commenced in the courts within two years from the date of the accident.

In all cases it is extremely helpful to take photographs of the area of the fall and the cause of the fall, and to gather witness names if any are available.