Consulting for Snow and Ice Litigation

Snow and ice removal is a billion dollar industry in the United States, in part because of the historic lack of planning during the design and construction phase. At Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc., our snow and ice removal consultants have the knowledge and experience to help at every stage of the process, from planning, construction, and completion of your project, to ongoing snow and ice removal and mitigation plans, to expert testimony in the event of litigation over issues involving the removal of snow and ice.

Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc., works with contractors on snowplowing projects, including airports, universities, large commercial properties, and multi-location accounts.  Facility and property managers also rely on Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc., for Snow Response Plan consulting and specification writing. Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc. will make certain that specifications adhere to the efficiency for the snow contractor and safety for the property owner and/or manager of the property.

Snow Removal: Design and Planning

The best time to reach out to Allin / Rose Consulting Inc., is during the design and planning stage. A proper design that incorporates the needs and challenges of large scale snow removal can literally save millions of dollars over the life of a project. Many of the challenges related to snow piles, drainage, visual obstructions and ice accumulation can be solved in the planning stage rather than mitigated after construction.

Among the most common issues involved with snow and ice removal during design and planning include:

• Selection of durable construction materials that can withstand freeze-and-thaw cycles as well as the application of ice melters.
• Incorporation of areas meant for plowed snow accumulation that will have proper drainage, will not obstruct views or cause safety issues, and will not encroach on neighboring property rights by creating flooding or other hazards.
• Purchase of the best, most economical, snow removal equipment and ice-melters for your particular application.
• Compliance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances to minimize risk and associated liability. From the Americans with Disabilities Act to your local city council, snow-removal laws and ordinances are surprisingly complex.

Annual Snow Response Plan

Developing a snow response plan is critical. However, equally critical is changing and improving your plan on an annual basis or as dictated by property issues that often arise after the fact.

At Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc., our snow removal consultants have worldwide experience when it comes to establishing the proper protocols to dictate how to prepare for various weather scenarios at a variety of properties.

A proper snow response plan should:

• Preseason inspection
• Description of outcomes
• Pretreating / Anti-icing
• Pre-event communications
• Planning for various storm scenarios
• Determine priority areas
• Weather monitoring process
• Service verification process
• In-event communications
• Site inspections
• Post-event communications
• Incorporate the rights and responsibilities of property owners, managers and tenants
• Meet the obligations imposed by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances
• Mitigate liability
• Improve safety of employees, tenants and guests
• Mitigate long-term risks and maintenance issues, as well as the associated costs of upkeep and compliance
• Take into account common issues involving visibility, drainage, accumulated ice, and neighboring property rights

Liability for Injuries Resulting from Ice and Snow

While the focus on reducing liability after an injury is understandable, the snow removal consultants at Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc., know it is best done with proper planning by creating, maintaining, and updating a proper snow response plan.

Still, we are often consulted only after a serious or fatal accident has occurred to an employee, contractor, guest, or tenant.

We are often called upon by both plaintiff and defense teams, where our expert witness testimony is backed by more than half a century of experience working in some of the most frigid conditions in the United States and throughout the world.

If you are involved in litigation over snow and ice removal and do not contact us, there is an excellent chance we will be consulted by opposing counsel. Some of the most common issues involving snow and ice removal liability include:

• Fall injuries: Whether from failure to act, ineffective removal, or indifference, snow and ice accumulation often results in fall injuries to employees, tenants, or guests.
• Property damage: From traffic accidents caused by slippery conditions or obstructed views to property damages resulting from unplanned runoff or other design and construction issues, Allin / Rose Consulting, Inc. has the knowledge, experience, and expertise to help build your case for damages or defend against resulting litigation.

When it comes to snow and ice management consulting, “You only need one, we are the best.”