New York City and Long Island are known to have heavy snowfall during the winter months between December and March. The sleet, ice, and snow tend to make life difficult for the locals to a great extent. One of the main issues faced by New Yorkers due to the snow is falling or tripping on the sidewalks. This mishap takes place in places where the sidewalks are not cleaned properly. The negligence shown by the property owner or manager of not removing the snow from the sidewalk can cause personal injury to any person.
Common injuries due to snowfall:
- Wounds or bruises from the fall
- Getting a muscle tear (arms and legs)
- Head injury or trauma
- Dislocated joints
A personal injury lawsuit can be filed by an individual with mild to severe medical concerns. For this purpose, it is best to hire a personal injury attorney to get compensation for paying present and future medical bills.
Who should be held responsible for the injury?
A property owner must maintain a public sidewalk, parking lot, etc., during the winter season by removing snow properly. This is imperative for everyone based on the rules mentioned in the New York City Administrative Code Administrative. The property owners in the city must also ensure that the snow and ice removal from the sidewalks is done in a proper manner.
However, there is a little issue concerning the timing of cleaning the snow from the sidewalk. The city has a “storm-in-progress” rule that basically gives property owners four hours to remove the ice after the snowfall has taken place (excluding the hours between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.). So, if an individual falls on the slippery sidewalk during this duration, the property owner cannot be held responsible. It is because of this clause that people who face personal injuries from falling on an icy sidewalk must consult an experienced attorney to file a lawsuit.
What are the steps to take after getting injured on a sidewalk?
If you come across a slippery sidewalk while walking down a street in New York City or Long Island, do not try to show your brave side. Slipping on an icy sidewalk can lead to serious injuries that can impair you in many ways. Hence, it is suggested to avoid unclean sidewalks after heavy snowfall in the city.
When you fall on a sidewalk due to snow on the ground, the following steps will help you get compensation from the parties who are responsible for creating a hazardous environment for the general public:
- Click photographs immediately
Although getting injured on a sidewalk can be a traumatic experience for you, it is important to stay calm and collect evidence as soon as possible. You can click photographs of the unclean sidewalk and even record videos highlighting the negligence shown towards public safety. This will help you build a strong lawsuit in court.
- Look for witnesses around you
It might surprise you to know that a lot of people can be helpful during a public accident. You can speak to witnesses and note down their testimonials of the incident. Make sure to get their name and contact information in case their observations might be needed in a legal case.
- Ask for medical help if needed
You cannot risk getting a concussion or any other type of internal damage by falling on a slippery sidewalk. Keeping this in mind, it is recommended to ask for medical help if you feel any form of pain or discomfort that you cannot bear.
- Hire an experienced attorney
Public safety is a serious matter in New York City and Long Island. As a citizen of this part of the country, you have the legal right to always feel safe in your neighborhood. If dangerous conditions arise due to unclean sidewalks during the snowfall season, you must be provided compensation for all medical bills. An experienced personal injury attorney at a reputed law firm should be consulted to fully understand your rights and proceed with a lawsuit in a systematic manner.
In case you know someone, who has faced this legal issue, they can reach out to our personal injury experts at Siler & Ingber on 516-294-2666.