Snow and Ice Injuries

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In New England, icy sidewalks and snowy stairs are a part of winter—but that doesn’t mean you should have to suffer because a property owner didn’t do their job. When snow and ice aren’t cleared in a timely or safe manner, they can cause serious, often life-altering falls.

At Corrao & Robles Law, we represent people who have been seriously injured in slip and fall accidents on snow or ice throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We hold negligent landlords, property managers, businesses, and municipalities accountable—because winter shouldn’t be an excuse for unsafe conditions.

Slipping on ice can cause more than just bruised pride. We regularly handle winter fall cases involving:

• Broken hips, arms, or legs
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal injuries and herniated discs
• Torn ligaments or shoulder injuries (e.g., rotator cuff tears)
• Long-term chronic pain
• Loss of mobility or permanent disability
• Psychological trauma, including PTSD after serious falls
   

Whether you fell on a commercial sidewalk in Providence or on residential steps in Worcester, our firm will fight to make sure your injuries—and your recovery—are taken seriously.

Snow and ice falls don’t just happen randomly. Many are caused by preventable hazards like unshoveled sidewalks, icy parking lots, poorly cleared stairwells, and water tracked indoors that later freezes. Property owners often fail to salt icy surfaces or ignore runoff that re-freezes into black ice. These accidents frequently happen at business entrances, apartment buildings, and even government-owned walkways. When owners or managers neglect these risks, people get hurt—and our team at Corrao & Robles Law is ready to step in. 

In Rhode Island, property owners are legally required to clear snow and ice within a reasonable amount of time. The state’s pure comparative negligence rule means that even if you were partially at fault for the fall—say, by walking quickly or wearing smooth-soled shoes—you can still recover compensation. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. You have three years from the date of the accident to file your claim.

In Massachusetts, snow and ice liability changed dramatically after the Papadopoulos v. Target Corp. case in 2010. Property owners are now responsible for both natural and unnatural accumulations of snow and ice. Massachusetts follows modified comparative negligence, which bars recovery if you're more than 50% at fault. Like Rhode Island, the statute of limitations is three years, but snow and ice cases often involve municipalities, which may have stricter notice requirements. Our attorneys understand these laws inside and out, and we’ll make sure your claim is filed properly and on time.

In snow and ice injury cases, insurance adjusters often try to deflect blame or minimize your injuries. They may argue that the hazard was obvious, that you were rushing, or that the property owner couldn’t possibly have cleared the ice in time. That’s where we come in. At Corrao & Robles Law, we use weather reports, expert testimony, maintenance logs, surveillance footage, and witness statements to prove liability and challenge the insurer’s narrative. We build strong cases from day one—so if a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re ready to take your case to trial. 

We’ve handled countless slip and fall cases across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including complex claims involving commercial properties, apartment complexes, and public walkways. Our attorneys move fast to preserve evidence—before snow melts or security footage is deleted. Clients choose us because we offer free consultations, no legal fees unless we win, and direct access to experienced attorneys, not just paralegals or intake staff. We treat every case with the seriousness it deserves, because we know what’s at stake—not just your money, but your health, independence, and peace of mind.

Winter accident claims are time-sensitive. If you’ve been injured due to unremoved snow or ice in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, don’t wait another day. Contact Corrao & Robles Law for a free case evaluation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and give you the legal firepower you need to move forward.