Picture this: you’re on your way to work in the morning, when your feet slip out from under you and you fall to the sidewalk. You land on cold snow and ice that wasn’t properly cleared. That scenario happens all too often, leaving innocent pedestrians with painful injuries and lost time from work. What can you do after being injured in such a snow-covered sidewalk accident in New York City?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2016 there were over 20,000 workplace accidents involving slips and falls due to snow- and ice-covered surfaces. Most of these accidents happened when employees were actively on the job. However, a significant portion of those falls happened as the victims were going to or coming from work. Nevertheless, besides worker’s compensation benefits, the injured worker has a claim against the adjacent property owner or the City of New York if the dwelling is less than four families, owner occupied and used exclusively for residential purposes.
Years ago, the responsibility for clearing sidewalks fell exclusively to the city, but now in most cases, the property owner has the legal responsibility to clear the sidewalks.
If the City or the adjacent property owner fails to clear the snow and ice within a reasonable time after the snow stops falling or fails to properly clear the snow and ice (leaving patches of snow and ice) and an innocent passerby slips and falls on an uncleared sidewalk whether it’s on the way to or from work or any other time, that victim can seek compensation for pain and suffering for their injuries, unpaid medical expenses and lost wages leading into the future besides any workers’ compensation benefits the worker may be entitled to.
If you’ve been injured in a snow-covered sidewalk accident and it’s unclear who may be responsible for your injuries, contact an experienced slip and fall accident attorney in New York City today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation.