In this article, you will discover:
- Who is legally obligated to clear ice and snow from New York City sidewalks.
- Whether you can file a personal injury claim if you slip and fall due to ice on public property.
- Your legal options if you slip and fall in front of a private residence or business.
Who Is Legally Responsible For Clearing Snow And Ice From Sidewalks In New York City?
For the most part, the adjacent property owner is responsible for clearing snow and ice. You wouldn’t hold the city responsible for that.
Can I File A Personal Injury Claim Against The City Of New York If I Fall On Public Property Due To Ice?
Yes, you can. Suppose you’re walking on a sidewalk past a city-owned building. If you slip on ice and sustain an injury, your case is against the city. You need a lawyer to file that claim within 90 days.
First, you will have a Section 50-H hearing, and then you can file your lawsuit within a year and 90 days. However, this is different from a slip-and-fall due to ice in front of the Time Warner Building, where you would hold the Time Warner Building responsible, even though it’s a publicly accessed sidewalk.
What Are My Legal Options If I Slip And Fall On An Icy Sidewalk In Front Of A Private Business Or Apartment Building?
More so than ever before, almost everyone has a cell phone. If you can, take photographs of the scene right away. If you can’t do it, but you can get someone right away who can, have them take photos as quickly as possible. If there was a witness at the scene, get their name and phone number.
When it comes to snow and ice, you don’t want to wait three weeks after the accident to take photos, because they may have melted by then. It’s crucial to get those photographs as quickly as possible and seek medical treatment immediately.
When Is The Best Time To Contact A New York Slip And Fall Attorney After An Icy Sidewalk Accident?
You want to contact an attorney as soon as possible because they can guide you on what to do next. If it happened yesterday, your attorney can have someone go to the scene to take photographs of the condition if you haven’t, and the condition still exists.
In Your Experience, What’s One Myth About Slip-And-Fall Claims That Keeps People From Pursuing Justice?
Clients sometimes feel that their injuries aren’t significant enough to see a lawyer. They think that lawyers only take on cases when someone is on their deathbed or in a hospital for weeks or months. That’s just not accurate.
You could have a soft tissue injury that, three months later, requires surgery. If that’s the case and the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you should contact a lawyer to seek compensation and have your day in court. You’re entitled to justice.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
For more information on icy sidewalk injuries in NYC, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling 844-47-FIGHT today.
