I really believe that we have to be individually responsible for our own safety, and if we feel an environment or situation is unsafe, we should stop, ask questions and assess the situation, and then help improve the safety if required. 

If you noticed the icy stairs, and asked your friends if they could help you safely traverse the stairs, I'm sure they would have assisted. 

You know the saying "To assume (any surface in Newfoundland in winter is ice/snow free and without risk of slipping) makes an A** out of you and me"??

I would no longer be friends with someone who publicly proposed litigation after slipping on my front steps. With friends like that, who needs enemies?