When winter weather rolls in, sidewalks and walkways can quickly become slippery and dangerous. If someone gets hurt on an icy sidewalk, it’s important to figure out who is responsible for snow or ice removal so that a liable party can be found. If you were injured in a slip and fall on someone’s icy sidewalk, our Queens slip & fall accident attorneys can help you figure out whose negligence was to blame for your injuries.
Who Has to Handle Snow or Ice Removal In Front of a Property?
In most cases, New York law leaves the responsibility of snow or ice removal to the owner of the property. So if there is a sidewalk in front of a home or business, the owner of that home or business is responsible for clearing the sidewalk and ensuring that people can get through without getting injured.
The property owner should make sure that there is a clear path of at least four feet wide on the sidewalks in front of the property. They are also expected to handle snow or ice removal within a reasonable timeframe. Usually, that means that they have a few hours after the snowfall has ended.
Can a Landlord Make Tenants Responsible For Snow or Ice Removal?
So in most cases, the property owner would be held responsible if someone slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk. However, there is a potential wrinkle here. In some cases, the responsibility for maintaining parts of the property can be outsourced to a tenant. If the lease says that the tenant is responsible for snow or ice removal, then they would be the liable party if someone got hurt.
What Happens If Someone Slips and Falls?
If you slip and fall on someone’s icy sidewalk, you may be able to sue them for damages. It was their responsibility to keep the sidewalk safe and they did not do that, so they should have to pay compensation.
Slip and fall accidents can be quite serious, especially for older people. Broken bones, concussions, and back injuries are common outcomes of such falls. These accidents can result in long-lasting health and mobility problems, not to mention psychological trauma and adverse effects on someone’s mental health.
So if someone was responsible for removing snow or ice from a walkway and they did not do that, you should sue to hold them accountable. You could be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Our lawyers can help you build a case and negotiate for a fair settlement that will make up for what you have experienced.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers
So if you or a loved one were injured in a slip and fall, let us help you hold any negligent parties accountable. Contact the Law Offices of George Poulos and schedule a consultation. We want to hear more about your situation so that our lawyers can be of assistance.
