A personal injury claim arising from a slip and fall on January 3, 2019 on the premises of St. Lawrence College of Applied Arts and Technology in Cornwall, Ontario.
The plaintiff suffered a significant fracture injury when he slipped on a sidewalk leading to a medical office building.
Damages were agreed; the trial concerned liability only.
The defendants were the College and its winter snow and ice removal contractor.
The court found that the defendants breached their duty of care under the Occupiers Liability Act by using pure salt on sidewalks in extremely cold temperatures (-10°C or colder) when salt is chemically ineffective, and by failing to use sand or ice melt as required by contract or recommended by best practices.
The court found the defendants liable and found no contributory negligence on the plaintiff's part.
