Injured on Snow or Ice? Let a Slip and Fall Attorney Advocate for You

As the seasons pass and the city grows colder, it’s important to stay alert for snowy and icy weather. While snow might look innocent, packed into the ground by a million shoeprints, it can hide a slippery trap beneath. Even ice not covered in snow can blend in, creating an almost invisible sheen on sidewalks and roads. In the winter, your morning stroll to your local coffee shop or your afternoon walk with your dog can turn into a dangerous trek over ice and snow. When you are injured due to unkempt sidewalks and roads, contacting a slip and fall attorney is vital. At Shaevitz & Shaevitz, our attorneys are legal experts specializing in personal injury cases. You can trust our experienced legal team to take on your case and secure justice for your injury.

Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?

In New York City, it is typically the property owner’s responsibility to ensure safe conditions and prevent slip and fall incidents. If you’re a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, you must keep your sidewalk safe and clear of potential danger.

In the event of snowfall, you must remove the snow within a specific timeframe to avoid being held liable for any injuries sustained on your property.

If the snowfall stops between:

• 7 a.m.–4:59 p.m.: The property owner has 4 hours to clear the snowfall and salt any ice that may form on their sidewalk.
• 5–8:59 p.m.: The snow and ice must be cleared within 14 hours by the property owner.
• 9 p.m.–6:59 a.m.: The property owner must clear the snow and salt the ice by 11 a.m.

Of course, there are exceptions. To accommodate property owners of smaller residential properties, the City of New York does not hold property owners of properties with one, two, or three families liable for injuries sustained on their sidewalks due to snow or ice. However, this exemption only applies if one of the families living there is the owner and the property is used exclusively for residential purposes. Even though these property owners are still responsible for clearing their sidewalks, the City recognizes they may not have the same resources as larger properties. Therefore, in cases of slip and fall injuries on the sidewalks of these exempt properties, the City itself may be held liable rather than the property owner.

Additionally, the City is responsible for maintaining safe walkways on any city property.

When a property owner or the City fails to clear their walkways within the specified time frame, the law holds them accountable for any injuries sustained from a slip and fall accident.

Slip and Fall Attorneys Prove Negligence

To obtain compensation, you must first prove that the property owner or the City was negligent. Negligence is failing to act like any reasonable person would under similar circumstances. Proving negligence is where a slip and fall attorney becomes essential. Hiring a lawyer helps establish fault and demonstrates how the negligence caused your injury.

An attorney gathers crucial evidence, including witness statements, photographs of the scene, and reports from climate experts. This evidence can demonstrate how long property owners neglected to clear their walkways of dangerous conditions. Using this information, the attorney can establish negligence. By building a strong and compelling case, they can effectively represent you in court or during settlement negotiations, ultimately securing compensation for your injuries.

How a Slip and Fall Attorney Secures Compensation

Once we establish negligence and demonstrate that the owner failed to maintain safe premises, the property owner’s insurance will compensate you for things like medical bills and pain and suffering. Your Shaevitz & Shaevitz attorney will advocate for your interests, ensuring you get the maximum compensation. We never settle for lowball insurance offers.

If you are partially responsible for the accident, your own insurance might cover some of your medical expenses, depending on your specific policy. This could include health insurance, personal injury protection, or other relevant coverage. Our team will guide you through these options to ensure you receive the support you need.

No matter what, we’ll protect you from insurance agents who are working to minimize your payout. As experienced slip and fall attorneys, we know how to negotiate with insurance companies and fight for justice.

Get Justice With a Slip and Fall Attorney!

Winter weather brings icy sidewalks and slippery conditions, which can lead to unexpected injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a fall on someone else’s property, a skilled slip-and-fall attorney can help you seek justice.

At Shaevitz & Shaevitz, we’ll handle the legal complexities so you can focus on healing. Schedule your free case consultation today, and let us fight to hold negligent property owners accountable.

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