Winter in the Midwest is beautiful… but it also brings some of the highest liability risks of the entire year.
Earlier this year in our webinar with Lindsay Keller of Thompson, Keller & Woods, she shared a powerful insight from the legal world:
Slip-and-fall cases make up a significant portion of the liability claims— especially during winter months.
And when you look at the data across the Midwest, the pattern is clear:
snow, ice, and winter weather dramatically increase the risk of serious injury — and the financial fallout that follows.
📊 What the Data Tells Us About Slip-and-Fall Risks in the Midwest
- Slip-and-fall incidents are one of the leading causes of injury-related hospitalizations in the region, particularly among older adults.
- Unintentional falls now surpass motor vehicle accidents as a cause of serious injury and death in much of the Midwest.
- Fall-related fatalities among seniors in the region remain significantly higher than the national average.
- Workplace safety reports consistently show slips, trips, and falls as a major source of employee injuries — even in controlled environments.
- Winter weather multiplies the risks: icy sidewalks, packed snow, wet entryways, heavier foot traffic, and reduced visibility all contribute to more claims.
When you put these factors together, it becomes clear that winter is the single biggest liability season of the year for homeowners, landlords, and business owners.
🏠 What This Means for Homeowners and Landlords
All it takes is one icy step on a sidewalk or driveway for someone to be seriously injured. Even when you’re diligent about shoveling and salting, liability exposure doesn’t go away.
Slip-and-fall claims can include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term disability
- Attorney fees and legal defense
Standard homeowners and landlord policies have limits — limits that may not stretch far enough in today’s legal and medical environment.
🏢 What This Means for Business Owners
For businesses across the Midwest — from storefronts and restaurants to offices, rental properties, and event centers — winter brings unavoidable exposure.
Common winter business liabilities include:
- Slip-and-falls in parking lots or walkways
- Delivery driver injuries
- Customers slipping on wet floors
- Commercial auto accidents on icy roads
- Increased holiday foot traffic
A single claim has the potential to exceed the limits on:
- General Liability
- Business Owner’s Policy
- Workers’ Compensation
- Commercial Auto
This is why many Midwestern businesses lean on umbrella coverage to protect their assets and operations.
☂️ Umbrella Coverage: One of the Most Cost-Effective Protections You Can Add
Given the severity and frequency of winter liability claims, umbrella coverage has become one of the smartest, simplest, and most affordable ways to safeguard both personal and business assets.
What an Umbrella Policy Provides
Peace of mind during the months with the highest risk
$1–$5 million+ of additional liability protection
Protection extending over home, auto, commercial auto, and general liability policies
A financial buffer between you and a large lawsuit
❄️ This Winter, Make Sure Your Coverage Is Ready
Slip-and-fall cases aren’t rare in the Midwest — they are expected.
Long winters, heavy snowfalls, icy conditions, and high holiday traffic all create the perfect environment for accidents and claims.
Whether you’re a homeowner, a landlord, or a business owner, now is the ideal time to review your coverage and make sure you have the right protection in place.
If you’d like a quick umbrella review — personal or commercial — our team is here to help.