Snow and Ice Falls

The winter months blanket most of the country in treacherous layers of snow and ice. New York sees its fair share of winter weather that can make foot travel unsafe if not properly addressed. Here are some things to know if you were hurt in a slip and fall accident on snow and/or ice.

Pedestrians across the city are forced to navigate hazardous conditions created by winter weather each year. These conditions, such as icy sidewalks, slick parking lots, and snow-covered stairways, are accidents waiting to happen.

If you’ve suffered a personal injury caused in part by winter weather conditions, you’re not alone. Car accidents, truck accidents, and slip, trip, and fall accidents all tend to happen more frequently when the ground is icy and visibility is poor.

Winter weather in New York City can bring hazardous conditions and an increased risk of injury. Slip and fall accidents caused by snow and ice are a common cause of injuries like broken bones, concussions, and sprains. Per section 7-210 of the New York City Administrative Code, property owners have specific obligations for maintaining safe sidewalks and lots.

Construction work is risky, even in perfect weather. Intense physical demands, use of heavy machinery and equipment, and use of chemicals are just some of the ways this career puts construction workers in harm’s way. When cold weather, ice, and snow are added into the mix, the dangers pile up.

As cold temperatures, snow, and ice move in, even a walk across the street for coffee becomes treacherous. Slip and fall accidents caused by snow and ice can cause serious injuries and can leave you with a stack of medical bills, an inability to work and resulting lost wages, and a range of other expenses.

Property owners have a duty to take reasonable action to prevent accidents due to snow, ice, and wet conditions. This applies to exterior areas such as sidewalks and parking lots, as well as interior walkways and stairways.

If you slipped and fell on ice as a result of poor maintenance by a property owner, but no one saw your fall, you may wonder if you can still sue the property owner for negligence since you have no witnesses to back up your claim. Luckily, this is not a problem.

If you were injured after a slip, trip, and fall accident caused by a propery owner's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. NYC personal injury lawyer Reid B. Wissner has extensive experience helping vicims of falls get the compensation they need and deserve for their injuries. If you fell on a sidewalk, in a store, at a friend's apartment, or anywhere else where you had a reasonable expectation of safe conditions, call us to see if you have grounds for a slip and fall lawsuit. 

Simply walking down the street can become hazardous in New York City in the winter due to snow, ice, and rain causing slippery conditions. If you are injured after a slip and fall accident on a sidewalk, street, parking lot, stairwell, or other surface, you may be entitled to compensation. It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure that the sidewalks and parking lots adjacent to their building are well maintained and safe, so if you are injured, you may be able to sue. 

Here in New York City, we've recently been hit with snowstorms and freezing weather. These conditions make it dangerous to walk outside, even more so if you happen to be elderly or disabled, and yet there is no clear organization or efficiency in clearing safe paths for people to walk or bike on.