Snow and ice risk management By Marsh Canada Limited
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f customers hurt themselves on the property you are contracted to maintain, they may demand compensation or even sue you. Slips, trips, and falls after snowfalls and in icy conditions are leading to more lawsuits than ever before with more Canadian courts finding businesses guilty of negligence and awarding higher compensation for injuries sustained. To complicate matters, it can take months or even years for a claim to be advanced against you, and even longer for a resolution to be reached. Given the consequences of being unprepared, it only makes good business sense to investigate ways of helping to mitigate your exposure.
Snow contracts • One of the best ways to manage slip and fall risk is by purchasing the appropriate insurance coverage. Snow contractors should not sign any contracts that have a hold harmless agreement or accept liability for something that is not within their control. • Contractors should have contracts rather than verbal agreements. This way, if there is ever an issue, there is also a legal document to which to refer. • Snow contracts should include a time and accumulation agreement. For example, the contractor is responsible to clear two inches of snow within 24 hours of a snowfall, etc. SNOW MANAGER | www.snowmanager.ca
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