Legal Beagles AK

Who is responsible if you slip and fall in a store or strip mall parking lot in Alaska?
Often it isn't the store you just walked out of. The lot, the curb, the sidewalk and the front steps can each belong to a different owner, property manager or snow removal contractor, and the answer usually sits in agreements you never see.

You walk out of the shoe store, the grocery is next door, the haircut place is down the row, and the ice doesn't care who owns which square of asphalt. Chris and Michaela explain how they track down who was responsible, why a written request to save the security video can make or break a case, and what to photograph besides the exact spot where you landed. They also cover med pay, the no-fault coverage many properties carry for medical bills.

COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q: Who is responsible if I fall in a strip mall parking lot in Alaska?
A: After a fall in an Alaska strip mall parking lot, the responsible party could be the property owner, a developer, a property manager, the business renting the space, or a snow removal contractor. Site and lease agreements usually decide who was in charge of that exact spot.

Q: Can a snow plowing or sanding company be responsible for a slip and fall in Alaska?
A: In Alaska, a snow removal or graveling contractor hired to maintain a parking lot has its own duties under its contract, such as showing up after a certain amount of snow or within a set time of an icy call. If the contractor didn't do the job, some of the responsibility may fall on them.

Q: How do I make sure a store keeps the security video of my fall in Alaska?
A: After a fall at an Alaska store or mall, ask in writing for the security video to be saved, because many systems record over footage within a day or a week. Once the owner has written notice, they have a duty to preserve it.

Q: Who pays my medical bills after a fall in a parking lot in Alaska?
A: Many commercial properties in Alaska carry medical payments coverage, often called med pay, that can pay medical bills from an accident on the property no matter who was at fault. When you report the fall, ask for the owner's insurance information.

Free Alaska Car Accident Checklist: kelleyandcanterbury.com/checklist/

ABOUT KELLEY & CANTERBURY

Kelley & Canterbury LLC is a boutique personal injury law firm in Anchorage, Alaska, founded in 1975 and serving Alaskans for over fifty years. Attorneys Chris Canterbury and Michaela Kelley-Canterbury work directly with every client, focusing on car accident and personal injury cases across Alaska.
Call 907.276.8185 | kelleyandcanterbury.com | [email protected]

We're on your side, at your side, every step of the way.

Attorney advertising. This podcast is for general information only and is not legal advice. Listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a future outcome.

Who pays if you slip on ice at someone's home, your apartment, or a store in Alaska?
It depends on who controlled the spot where you fell, whether they knew or should have known about the ice, and whether they had a fair chance to fix it. Alaska property owners don't have to make winter fail-safe, but they do have to keep things reasonably safe for the people they expect to show up.

Chris and Michaela walk through a fall on a stranger's stairs during a Marketplace pickup, a packed parking lot on hockey tournament day, and a hotel guest who expected frost-free steps in Denali. They cover how a lease changes who clears the ice at your apartment and why your own shoes matter. They finish with what to do in the first hours after a fall, and what not to say when the insurance company calls.

COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q: Who is responsible if I slip on ice at someone's house in Alaska?
A: In Alaska, a homeowner who invites people over has a duty to keep their property reasonably safe, which can mean salting or graveling icy stairs or warning guests about a bad spot. Whether the homeowner is responsible depends on what they knew about the ice and whether they had time to deal with it.

Q: What makes a slip and fall case in Alaska?
A: Chris Canterbury looks at three things in an Alaska slip and fall case: whether the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, what duty of care they had, and whether they had a reasonable chance to fix it after they found out. Weather changes fast in Alaska, so timing matters.

Q: Who is responsible if I fall on ice at my apartment in Alaska?
A: At an Alaska apartment, responsibility often comes down to the lease. Parking lots and shared sidewalks are usually common areas the landlord or property manager handles, while some leases put the renter in charge of their own steps.

Q: What should I do right after I slip and fall on ice in Alaska?
A: After a slip and fall in Alaska, report it to the owner or manager before you leave if you can, or have a friend do it. Take photos of the spot and the area around it, and write down what happened, what caused it, and what shoes you had on.

Q: Should I talk to the property owner's insurance after a fall in Alaska?
A: Be careful what you say to an insurance adjuster or risk manager after a fall in Alaska. Comments like "it was my fault" or "I'm not that hurt" can be used against you, so it's smart to talk with an attorney first.

Free Alaska Car Accident Checklist: kelleyandcanterbury.com/checklist/

ABOUT KELLEY & CANTERBURY

Kelley & Canterbury LLC is a boutique personal injury law firm in Anchorage, Alaska, founded in 1975 and serving Alaskans for over fifty years. Attorneys Chris Canterbury and Michaela Kelley-Canterbury work directly with every client, focusing on car accident and personal injury cases across Alaska.
Call 907.276.8185 | kelleyandcanterbury.com | [email protected]

We're on your side, at your side, every step of the way.

Attorney advertising. This podcast is for general information only and is not legal advice. Listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a future outcome.

The other driver is gone. Now what? A hit and run feels like a dead end, but it usually isn’t. Anchorage personal injury attorneys Chris Canterbury and Michaela Kelley-Canterbury of Kelley & Canterbury LLC explain why, and what Alaska drivers can still do after a hit and run.

They cover the coverage most Alaskans don’t realize they already have, uninsured motorist (UM) protection, and how it steps in when the at-fault driver can’t be found. They walk through how to report the crash to police the right way, why timing matters, and how to preserve evidence at the scene, from photos and witness names to nearby camera footage, so your claim stays strong even without the other driver.

For over fifty years, Kelley & Canterbury LLC has represented injured Alaskans statewide. If you’ve been the victim of a hit and run, you have more options than you think. Call 907.276.8185 or visit kelleyandcanterbury.com for a free consultation. On your side. At your side. Every step of the way.

A crash on the drive to Kenai or Fairbanks is not like a crash in midtown Anchorage. Help can be an hour away. Your phone may have no signal. And the delay in medical care can change both your recovery and your legal case. Anchorage personal injury attorneys Chris Canterbury and Michaela Kelley-Canterbury of Kelley & Canterbury LLC talk honestly about the realities of rural highway crashes in Alaska.

They cover cell dead zones, emergency response times, medical transport from remote stretches of road, and how delayed treatment affects an injury claim. They also share practical steps every Alaskan should take before a long highway drive, and what to document if a crash happens far from town.

Kelley & Canterbury LLC has represented injured Alaskans for over fifty years, and they know these roads. The firm is based in Anchorage, Alaska and serves clients statewide. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a highway crash, call 907.276.8185 or visit kelleyandcanterbury.com for a free consultation. On your side. At your side. Every step of the way.

Nobody plans to be in a car accident. That’s exactly why this episode exists. Chris and Michaela walk you through the entire journey after a crash in Alaska, in plain English, from the moment you dial 911 to the day your case resolves.

You’ll learn what to say (and not say) when the insurance company calls, how medical liens work and why they matter to your recovery, what the settlement process actually looks like, and how long a typical Alaska injury case takes. Keep this one saved. It’s the episode to share with a friend or family member the day they need it.

Want the companion checklist? Download the free Alaska Car Accident Action Plan at kelleyandcanterbury.com/checklist and keep it in your glove box or on your phone.

Questions about your own accident? Call Kelley & Canterbury at 907.276.8185 or visit kelleyandcanterbury.com for a free consultation. On your side. At your side. Every step of the way.

School is back in session across Anchorage, and so are the crowded crosswalks, the 20 mph zones, and the kids who dart between parked cars. In this episode, Chris and Michaela break down what actually happens, legally, when a pedestrian is hit in a school zone.

They cover who can be held liable in a crosswalk crash, how Alaska’s comparative fault rules apply when a child steps into traffic, and when the municipality itself may share responsibility for a poorly designed or poorly maintained crossing. You’ll also hear the mistakes drivers and parents make in the first hours after an accident, and the steps that protect an injured child’s claim.

For over fifty years, Kelley & Canterbury has helped injured Alaskans and their families get answers. If your child or a loved one has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, call 907.276.8185 or visit kelleyandcanterbury.com for a free consultation. On your side. At your side. Every step of the way.

Alaska's highways are long, remote, and unforgiving — is your insurance ready?

Summer means road trips to fishing spots, hunting grounds, and points far north and south. But when a serious crash happens miles from cell service or help, the costs can be devastating fast.

In this episode:

Who this is for: Any Alaskan hitting the road this summer who wants to know their family is covered before something goes wrong.

Have questions about an accident, an injury, or your coverage? Kelley & Canterbury offers free consultations — call (907) 276-8185 or visit www.kelleyandcanterbury.com.

Hit by an out-of-state driver in Alaska? Here's what you need to know.

Every summer, Alaska's roads fill with rental cars, RVs, and tour buses — and sometimes those drivers cause accidents. The rules around insurance, liability, and jurisdiction get complicated fast when the other driver is from out of state.

In this episode:

Who this is for: Alaskans who've been hit by a tourist driver, and out-of-state visitors injured while traveling here — anyone navigating an accident that crosses state lines.

Skip the AI chatbots and talk to a real person. Kelley & Canterbury offers free consultations — call (907) 276-8185 or visit www.kelleyandcanterbury.com

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and in this episode, we talk about traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and the warning signs that can show up after a car accident. From headaches, nausea, dizziness, and brain fog to sleep changes, irritability, and trouble concentrating, we explain what symptoms to watch for in both adults and children.

We also discuss why brain injuries are often missed right after a crash, how symptoms can develop over time, and why it’s important to document what you’re experiencing and follow up with a doctor if something feels off.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident and may have suffered a head injury, this episode offers helpful guidance on what to look for and why early evaluation matters.

Episode 1: Big Firm vs. Boutique Firm. Which is right for you?

Hey Alaska neighbors, it's Chris and Michaela here from Kelley & Canterbury.

We get it — icy roads, long distances to hospitals, and the unique challenges of life in Alaska mean you need legal help that really understands your world. This episode is a conversation about choosing the right kind of law firm when you're injured — a big firm or a smaller, more personal boutique firm right here in Alaska.

What you'll learn in this episode: - Why a smaller, local firm can offer more personalized service - How continuity with your attorney makes a difference - The risks of "factory" law firms focused on volume over clients - Why trust and clear communication matter throughout your case

Chris Canterbury and Michaela Kelley-Canterbury are lifelong Alaskans and personal injury attorneys who understand your community because they're part of it. On your side, at your side, every step of the way.

Visit www.kelleyandcanterbury.com to schedule a free consultation.
Contact us: [email protected]