Brooklyn Snow and Ice Fall Injury Lawyer
New York attorneys seek compensation for slip injuries due to snow or ice
Harsh winter weather can turn our sidewalks, streets and parking lots into a complex obstacle course. When snow falls and ice hardens, walking becomes treacherous, and anyone who ventures outdoors can risk a painful slip and fall. For this reason, New York City has strict snow and ice removal laws, putting the onus on property owners and managers to clear frozen hazards or face fines and civil liability. Unfortunately, these laws do not always provide adequate incentive for thorough snow removal, and haphazard efforts too often put pedestrians in danger. If you have sustained an injury from a fall caused in part by winter weather, Goldberg Sager & Associates is here to serve you. Our Brooklyn snow and ice slip-and-fall lawyers thoroughly investigate your accident and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Where snow and ice fall injuries happen most often
Slip and fall accidents can occur just about anywhere outside or where precipitation gets tracked indoors, including:
- Parking lots and garages
- Sidewalks
- Stairways
- Driveways
- Retail shops
- Office atriums
Many serious injuries occur due to black ice that forms on paved surfaces and is virtually invisible to passersby.
New York laws regarding snow removal
New York City Code Section 16-123 requires property owners and others in charge of a premises adjacent to a sidewalk to remove “snow or ice … or other material from the sidewalk and gutter” within four hours after the snowfall ceases. The four-hour deadline does not apply overnight. It is enforced from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. If hardened ice cannot be removed at once, the owner must improve traction by spreading sand, sawdust or other material to improve traction, then they must clear the area of ice as soon as weather permits. In addition to hundreds of dollars in fines, violators can face liability for accidents that result from their failure to remove snow and ice.
Who is liable due to injuries from a fall on snow or ice?
Though not every slip on the ice is compensable because someone who walks outside in adverse weather assume some sort of risk, property owners can be held liable if one the following is true:
- They caused an unsafe condition by failing to clear the area in a timely manner.
- They knew about the ice or snow and did not take steps to correct it.
- They should have known about the ice or snow because a reasonable person managing the property would have discovered and removed the hazard.
In addition to private property owners, New York City can be liable for a fall injury due to ice and snow. When a fall occurs on government property, the victim must file a notice of claim within 90 days to preserve their right to sue.
Common slip and fall injuries due to snow and ice
The harm from falling onto hard surfaces can be severe. In our practice, we’ve seen ice and snow lead to severe and long-term injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe strains and sprains
- Torn muscles, ligaments and tendons
- Nerve damage
We consult with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries and your prospects for recovery.
Compensation available to snow and ice fall victims
Similar to a slip on store property, someone who falls on the ice sometimes cannot get the monetary relief they deserve without filing a personal injury lawsuit. In these cases, victims can collect damages that include medical expenses, reimbursement of lost earnings and compensation for pain and suffering. As your advocates, we fight for the maximum recovery possible.
