The 72-year-old victim was reportedly a customer of Tim Hortons, a restaurant. Reports indicate that he parked on an incline in a marked space when he arrived. His wife claims that, while he was inside the restaurant, the dangerous design of the parking lot allowed water to pool. Because the temperature was below freezing, the water froze, creating an unexpected hazard for customers.
Unfortunately, the man reportedly slipped on the ice and fell. He died nine days after the fall from complications reportedly stemming from injuries he suffered in the fall. His wife now claims that Tim Hortons is responsible for his death and is seeking court costs and attorney fees, as well as damages exceeding $25,000.
Businesses have a responsibility for protecting their customers from and warning them about known dangers. Failure to do so could result in a dangerous slip and fall accident, such as the one believed to have taken this man's life. While not all are fatal, many people in Massachusetts suffer serious injuries that lead to expensive medical treatment and loss of wages during the recovery period. If it can be proved that a property owner's negligence caused an accident, an injured party could potentially receive an award of damages to help with his or her related expenses.
Source: theoaklandpress.com, "Lawsuit filed over Waterford man's death caused by slip-and-fall in Tim Hortons parking lot", Dave Phillips, March 26, 2015
