This is especially true if alternate pathways were available. If the sidewalk is clearly covered in ice and someone decides to walk across it anyways, the injured party is likely responsible for any injury sustained. This includes both the area of the fall and the overall condition of the property. However, if sidewalks and parking lots are left untouched for an unreasonable period of time after the storm, the likelihood of liability increases, even if the ice and snow occurred naturally (e.g., from storms or through melting and refreezing).īecause of the transient nature of ice, if someone has fallen on your property, it is a good idea to photograph or video the condition of the property – especially if there was no ice or if the ice was open and obvious. Therefore, if someone falls on ice during the storm or in the hours immediately following the storm (especially if the hours were overnight or when you would not normally maintain the property), it is less likely that the property owner (or tenant) will be held liable. Failing to comply with these ordinances can result in liability for injuries from slip and falls.įollowing a storm, home and business owners are allowed a reasonable time to remove ice. Local ordinances may create duties on property owners to shovel and treat icy conditions. However, natural accumulations of snow and ice generally do not create liability for a home or business owner. If ice developed as a result of the diversion of water (e.g., a downspout that sends water onto the sidewalk), then you could be held liable because you created a hazard.
Depending on the circumstances, you could be held liable if someone slips and falls on snow or ice in front of your home or your business.
This winter, it’s important to shovel and salt your sidewalk to make sure you don’t fall into a lawsuit. If Someone Slips on an Icy Sidewalk in Front of My Home or My Business, Am I Liable?
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