Autumn is here. As New York City residents enjoy the cooler temperatures, fall festivals and the approaching Holiday season, an understanding that inclement weather is drawing nearer begins to seep into the consciousness of every New Yorker.
Colder and inclement weather creates hazardous conditions for pedestrians. Injuries resulting from a winter slip and fall accidents on a snowy or icy sidewalk can be serious.
A serious fall may cause you to fracture your arm while attempting to break your fall or a traumatic brain injury if you hit your head on the hard ground.
These serious injuries may be averted if property owners meet their legal duty to maintain safe sidewalks. Unfortunately, many property owners allow snowy and icy conditions to remain on the ground for hours or days after the snow has stopped causing serious slip and fall injuries.
Wintry hazards are a danger to every pedestrian especially the fragile among us, including the elderly and the disabled.
Delivery workers carrying heavy packages are also at risk of suffering injuries from slip and fall accidents, including broken bones, torn ligaments, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Negligent property owners may be responsible for damages including payment for lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term disability.
New York City has enacted snow shoveling rules to help reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will enforce snow shoveling rules to prevent businesses and property owners from refusing to shovel or spread salt in a reasonable time frame.
Along with the prospects of civil liability. A property owner may receive citations if they breach their duty of tending the sidewalk and someone slips and falls. The first citation is punishable by a fine of $100 to $150 for breaking one of these rules:
- If snow stops falling between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., a sidewalk must be cleared within four hours.
- If snow stops falling between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., a sidewalk must be cleared within 14 hours.
- If snow stops falling between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., a sidewalk must be cleared by 11 a.m.
- A property owner must clear a path at least four feet wide.
- If snow becomes frozen or ice forms, salt or sand must be spread over the frozen area within the same timeframes listed for snow removal.
A violation of this New York City ordinance may serve as strong evidence that the property owner is negligent and therefore liable for the injuries a pedestrian has suffered in a winter weather-related slip and fall accident.
Injured in a Winter Slip and Fall Accident?
If you are hurt after falling on a slippery patch of snow or ice while walking down a sidewalk, call Koenig Pierre, a New York personal injury lawyer. Koenig will investigate your case and advise you of your options. Available at all hours. Call (800) 946-4616 or schedule an online free consultation.