Snow-covered sidewalks may look picturesque, but they hide a dangerous truth: slip and fall accidents cost New Yorkers millions each year. Beyond the physical pain, these incidents can lead to lengthy legal battles, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. But here’s the twist—sometimes, the person who falls isn’t the only one paying the price. Property owners can face hefty fines, and the city often ends up in the crosshairs of lawsuits.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, don’t let the financial and emotional burden weigh you down. Contact Poltielov Law Firm today—our experienced Queens slip & fall accident attorneys will help you apply NYC’s liability laws to your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Snow and Ice Removal Deadlines in NYC
Property owners are required to clear snow and ice within a specific timeframe:
- Sidewalks must be cleared within four hours if snow stops between 7:00 AM and 4:59 PM.
- If the snow stops between 5:00 PM and 8:59 PM, sidewalks must be cleared within 14 hours (by 9:00 AM the next day).
- If the snow stops between 9:00 PM and 6:59 AM, sidewalks must be cleared by 11:00 AM.
Failure to follow these rules may result in fines ranging from $100 to $350. More importantly, failure to remove ice and snow can expose property owners to liability for slip and fall injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Winter Slip and Fall Accident?
Property Owners and Landlords
Under New York City Administrative Code §7-210, if a property owner fails to remove ice and snow within the required time and a person is injured as a result, the owner may be held liable. Liability typically arises when the owner is negligent, meaning:
- They knew or should have known about the hazardous condition.
- They had reasonable time to address the hazard.
- They failed to take proper action to remedy the dangerous condition.
This law primarily applies to commercial property owners, apartment building landlords, and owners of mixed-use properties. However, certain exceptions exist.
For single-family, owner-occupied homes, the responsibility for snow and ice removal is less strict. If the homeowner did not actively create or worsen the dangerous condition, they might not be held liable for a pedestrian’s injuries.
Business Owners and Commercial Tenants
Businesses that lease commercial spaces often assume responsibility for sidewalk maintenance. Many commercial leases contain clauses requiring tenants to handle snow and ice removal.
If a business fails to keep its sidewalk clear and a customer, employee, or pedestrian slips and falls, the business can be held liable. This often happens outside:
- Restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores
- Office buildings
- Shopping centers and retail stores
- Hotels and apartment complexes
In some cases, both the property owner and the business tenant may share liability, especially if the lease agreement does not clearly define who is responsible for sidewalk maintenance.
The City of New York
Although private property owners are usually responsible for sidewalk conditions, the City of New York can be liable under certain circumstances. The city may be responsible if:
- The fall occurs on a sidewalk near a public park, municipal building, or bus stop.
- The sidewalk is in an area specifically maintained by the city.
- The city was aware of the dangerous condition but failed to act.
However, suing the city is more complex than suing a private property owner. Victims must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days and initiate a lawsuit within one year and 90 days of the accident.
Snow Removal Companies
Many property owners and businesses hire private snow removal companies to handle ice and snow clearance. If these companies perform their job negligently—such as failing to salt sidewalks properly or leaving dangerous patches of ice—they could be held liable.
However, proving liability against a snow removal company can be challenging because their contracts may limit their responsibilities. A slip and fall lawyer can investigate whether the company breached its contractual duty, leading to hazardous conditions.
The Injured Person’s Own Negligence
New York follows comparative negligence laws, meaning an injured person’s own actions may impact their ability to recover damages. If a pedestrian ignored visible hazards, failed to wear appropriate footwear, or was distracted (e.g., texting while walking), the court may reduce compensation based on their share of fault.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall on an Icy NYC Sidewalk?
Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Don’t jump up right away. Check how you’re feeling. Some injuries, like sprains or bruises, might not hurt at first but can show up later.
Take Pictures: Use your phone to snap photos of the icy spot, your injuries, and the area around you. These pictures can help prove what happened.
Find Witnesses: If someone saw you fall, ask for their name and phone number. They can help back up your story later.
Report It: Tell the property owner or manager about the fall. If it’s a public sidewalk, let the city know. Writing it down makes it official.
Call Poltielov Law Firm: Don’t try to figure it all out alone. We’ll help you figure out who’s responsible and fight for what you deserve.
Claim What You Deserve with a New York Slip and Fall Accident Attorney
Icy sidewalks are not a surprise in New York. Property owners know the rules. Snow falls and ice forms, and they have a deadline to clear them. Yet, every winter, people slip, fall, and suffer because someone chose to ignore their responsibility. If that happened to you, you have every right to demand justice.
At the Poltielov Law Firm, we don’t waste time with excuses. We take action. We investigate. We prove negligence. We push back against insurance companies that try to downplay your injury. If you’re dealing with pain, lost wages, and medical bills from a fall that never should have happened, let’s do something about it. Fill out our online form or call us today. We’re ready when you are.