Accidents on snow and ice covered sidewalks across New York cost residents and visitors millions in medical expenses, lost wages and more. These treacherous surfaces are the responsibility of property owners or the City itself and legally must be cleared within a given time frame. If you slip and fall on a slippery sidewalk, the abutting property owner or the City could be held legally responsible for your injuries, medical expenses and lost wages.
It was just a simple fall, you say. Why does it cost so much? According to a government report, the average price of a single day of inpatient treatment at a U.S. hospital cost $4,000-nearly 5 times that of other countries. Some hospitals charge as much as $12,000 per day. A simple x-ray can cost between $200 and $1,000.
This cost doesn’t even include an ambulance ride. Many of the patients who receive ambulance service may have to pay out of pocket. Many insurance companies will only pay a set amount and only if “emergency” transport was deemed necessary.
Falls are preventable. In 2012 the New York State Department of Health issued a report concerning the high cost of preventable ER visits. The report concluded that 75% of all visits were preventable. This includes a majority of the 462,000 visits on account of musculoskeletal and connective tissue issues (many of which were caused by slip and fall accidents).
According to NYC law snow and ice must be cleared from sidewalks within 4 hours of the end of precipitation between the hours of 7 AM and 5 PM. Between 5 PM and 9PM property owners have 14 hours to clear the slippery hazards away-finishing by 11 AM at the latest. You can file complaints with the city against property owners (by calling 311).
If you or a loved one has been injured on a snow or ice covered sidewalk in New York City, contact a qualified attorney immediately to safeguard your finances and your future. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.