Vermont handles slip-and-fall cases under premises liability laws, where property owners must maintain safe conditions for visitors, and fault hinges on proving negligence like failure to address known hazards. Injured parties can seek compensation if they are less than 50% at fault under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, covering medical bills, lost wages, and pain.​
Proving Fault
Property owners owe a duty of care to invitees (e.g., store customers) by inspecting for dangers like icy sidewalks or wet floors and warning or fixing them promptly. Plaintiffs must show the owner knew or should have known of the hazard, it caused the fall, and injuries resulted, using evidence like photos, witnesses, or maintenance logs.​
Compensation Types
Victims may recover economic damages (hospital stays, rehab, income loss) and non-economic ones (suffering, reduced life quality), with caps absent but reductions for partial fault. Claims must file within three years, and owners aren’t liable for recreational land injuries absent willful misconduct.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.brandonjbroderick.com/vermont/slip-and-fall-accidents-vermont-proving-liability-and-seeking-compensation)
[2](https://www.kohnrathlaw.com/falls-slip-and-fall-premises-liability-defective-or-dangerous-property/)
[3](https://sabbethlaw.com/types-of-premises-liability-cases-vermont/)
[4](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/12/203/05793)
[5](https://sabbethlaw.com/blog/understanding-slip-and-fall-lawsuits-in-vermont/)
