When must snow and ice be removed from sidewalks?

Some people may like the snow and others may hate it, but it is something that everyone in New York will need to deal with from time to time. This means that people need to take precautions while snow is on the ground to protect themselves from injury. Snow and ice are very slippery and people need to change the way they walk when walking on ice as it easy to slip and fall.

Timeframes for removing snow from sidewalks

As it is much safer for pedestrians when the sidewalks are clear of snow and ice, property owners have a responsibility to remove it from the sidewalks surrounding their property. The law states that property owners must remove snow from the sidewalks within four hours of the snow stopping. If the snow stops between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., though the four hours does not begin until 7:00 am. If it is too difficult to remove ice or packed snow the property owner must put down salt or sand to make it safer.

These laws apply to business owners, landlords and private homeowners. If property owners fail to abide by these laws, they could face fines. However, they could also face liability if people walking on the sidewalks injure themselves because the snow and/or ice was not removed within the proper timelines. People can suffer significant injuries from falls including traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can be costly to the victim both physically and financially as they may have significant medical bills and lose income if they are unable to work.

Many people in New York fall on icy and snowy sidewalks. In some situations, the snow or ice should have never been there if the property owner was following the laws and removed the snow and ice within the proper timeframe. If this occurs the property owner could be liable for compensating the victim for the damages they suffer as a result. Experienced attorneys understand how costly these injuries can be and may be able to help ensure that people receive what they deserve.