Being Left in the Cold After a Slip and Fall in Brooklyn: Can I Get Additional Compensation?

During the winter months, many slips and falls occur outdoors. These accidents are often caused by ice and snow, and winter conditions can make situations even more dangerous for victims after their falls. If these accidents occur in secluded areas or during odd hours, victims may lie in the cold for a considerable amount of time before receiving medical attention. Could this situation lead to additional injuries? More importantly, can it lead to additional compensation? These are questions you might want to raise with a Brooklyn slip-and-fall attorney.

What Kind of Injuries Might You Suffer After Being Left Out in the Cold in Brooklyn? 

If you fall and can’t get up, you might have to wait the whole night before people find you. As a result, you could suffer serious injuries due to the freezing night temperatures. The New York Department of Health warns that hypothermia and frostbite are both common issues in this type of situation.

Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops to dangerous levels, and it can be fatal. Older adults and children are more vulnerable to hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering, fatigue, drowsiness, blue skin, numbness, confusion, memory loss, and slurred speech. If you fall asleep while suffering from hypothermia, you may never wake up again and pass away while unconscious.

Another common issue is frostbite. This occurs when the skin becomes numb, eventually taking on a red, waxy appearance. You may be more vulnerable to frostbite if you have diabetes. The most severe cases of frostbite lead to permanent tissue damage. Amputation may be necessary in this scenario.

Other cold-related injuries include chilblains and trench foot. These are similar to frostbite but with slightly different effects on the skin and tissue.

Are Property Owners Responsible for Calling Me an Ambulance?

Property owners may be responsible for calling you an ambulance, but this all depends on the circumstances of your fall. If you slip and fall on an icy sidewalk in the middle of the night, the entire neighborhood may be asleep. As a result, it might be unreasonable to expect the property owner to check for injured people or answer your muffled cries.

On the other hand, a business owner probably shoulders a greater duty of care in this situation, particularly during normal business hours. In any case, you can pursue additional compensation for the cold-related injuries, as they would not have happened if not for the initial fall.

Key Takeaways 

• Victims may develop injuries like hypothermia and frostbite after being left in the cold
• Property owners may be responsible for calling you an ambulance after your fall
• You can pursue compensation for both cold-related injuries and slip-and-fall injuries

Can a Brooklyn Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Help Me?

If you suffered both fall-related and cold-related injuries after slipping on ice or snow, you have every right to pursue maximum compensation. You should be able to recover compensation for all injuries directly related to your accident, and an experienced premises liability lawyer in Brooklyn can help you achieve this important goal. Continue this conversation by contacting Cohan Law, PLLC at your earliest convenience.

Sources: 

health.ny.gov/press/releases/2025/2025-01-15_winter_safety_tips.htm

sacredheartemergency24.com/cold-weather-injuries-when-to-seek-emergency-care/