The Workermonkey

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Woman hit by icicle 

# posted by Damon @ 2/23/2006 01:23:00 PM

"Published: 23rd February 2006 18:01 CET

A woman was injured in central Stockholm on Thursday afternoon after being hit by a falling icicle.

The accident happened on Drottninggatan, one of the capitals busiest shopping streets.

“She got a bump on the head and was shocked, but has now been discharged from hospital,” said police spokesman Björn Engström.

Police have sent a notice to the owner of the property from which the icicle fell. Swedish property owners are legally responsible for clearing snow and ice from their roofs. The accident happened near Sergels Torg, on one of the busiest sections of Drottninggatan.

A 14-year old boy died on Drottninggatan in 2002 after being hit by a falling block of ice. The accident led to a long legal process which concluded with the company responsible for snow clearance on the building in question being fined for causing death through negligence."

As I left my flat I saw the ambulance go by, and I walked down Drottninggatan, which I usually avoid because it's too crowded with people but I was looking for a store. I saw this woman just after the ambulance got there, she seemed alright, but I made a point not to look and stare at her, which I imagine she would rather not have.

Anyway, I had thought it strange that there are always teams working, clearing roofs. Everyday I pass a crew or two, while walking on ice 5cm thick or through slush or snow. I commented that in the US, someone would fall and break something then sue the sidewalk owner, then they would be clean. Apparently that is what it takes if a dead kid got all these crews clearing roofs. But the sidewalks and streets are really a disaster, in many places, they don't touch them at all. People, cars, and bikes just compress the snow into hardpack and ice, and it stays that way. Then as the natural powdery stuff melts, it's funny that the only snow is on the walkways and streets.

Then again, I have fallen a few times on the street and I would prefer that to taking an icicle in the head.

6 comments

do most of us agree that when someone slips and falls on ice, it isn't the property owners fault for not clearing the ice, its the reatards fault for falling on it? i'm not usre which way i'd rather have it. ice everywhere that idiots slip on with no rediculous lawsuits or clean sidewalks with plenty of lawsuits for everyone. Damon, life seems to be functioning perfectly well over there right? there isn't any mass riots and protests over un-shoveled sidewalks are there? Jesus hasn't condemed the sweds to eternal hell fire for expecting other people to watch where they walk has he? maybe thats in the bible somewhere, towards the back.

By  Supreme Monkey Overlord, at Thursday, February 23, 2006 4:51:00 PM  

well, i think in general the city usually owns things like sidewalks, and i might be inclined to conclude that the city has a duty to its citizens.

if someone slips on private property, then i would say it depends on the circumstances. if the person injured is a trespasser, then certainly no duty. if the person is an invitee, then there is some sort of duty, for example, to clear the ice off the front steps or something. and i think someone like an invitee would also be more likely to be a friend, and therefore less likely to sue (in general).

By  josh, at Thursday, February 23, 2006 5:15:00 PM  

By your definition Matt, I and probably everyone else in Sthlm is a "retard." Let's see anyone walk a whole winter, hundreds of km, on ice and snow at varying angles and conditions in a freeze-thaw cycle, and not fall. Slipping on ice means I must be an idiot?

No one seems to notice or care, my point was, is it not more important to get snow off sidewalks and roads than roofs?

Jesus has done nothing to Swedes because they for the most part don't know him, why are you bringing in religion while calling other people who may have trouble staying upright on a surface with a coefficient of static friction approaching zero disabled shortly after your post calling religious zealots and patriots "retards" as well?

Of course the city owns the sidewalk, but in the US people have to clear what is in front of their house. I don't know then how the "fault" would go down. Again though, not my point, sidewalks or roofs?

By  Damon, at Friday, February 24, 2006 5:45:00 PM  

Personally, I'd also consider the dynamic coefficient of friction when applying blame for a fall.

How a bout a little personal responsibility? I keep YakTraks in my car and use them when needed.

By  ron, at Friday, February 24, 2006 7:27:00 PM  

Yeah you guys think I like that kind of crap like suing McD over hot coffee? Did I complain to my landlord when I laid out in our courtyard? I don't believe in making our accidents someone's fault and financial burden, but you can't even imagine the total disregard for plowing or shoveling. In fact, I don't think there is a shovel in Sthlm City. They just joke mornings class is empty that people had trouble getting there, and really, they did. Walking, they had trouble walking.

By  Damon, at Saturday, February 25, 2006 1:10:00 AM  

I'm telling you.....
[img]http://www.campmor.com/images/acc/larger/24103_l.jpg[\img]

By  ron, at Saturday, February 25, 2006 12:22:00 PM  

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