Inclement weather in New York City, and throughout the state, may make the sidewalks a dangerous place for you, and others. This is particularly true during the winter months when rain, sleet and snow can make the sidewalks slick and slippery, which may lead to slip-and-fall accidents. At The Klein Law Group, P.C., we are frequently asked who is responsible when a person falls and injures him or herself on a sidewalk. As such, this post will provide an overview of the city’s sidewalk rules.
Although they may technically be considered city sidewalks, it is the property owners whose properties abut these sidewalks who are generally responsible for their maintenance. Under New York City code, property owners are required to keep the sidewalks that border their properties in reasonably safe condition. This may help avoid slip-and-fall accidents, and other incidents that may result in serious injuries.
In general, property owners must construct, reconstruct, install, repair, repave or replace sidewalk flags that are defective. Furthermore, they must take steps to remove any dirt, ice, snow or other material that accumulates on their sidewalks. The exception to this is single, double and three-family residential properties.
The New York City Administrative Code stipulates that the city should not be held liable for injuries or deaths that result from property owners’ failures to maintain their sidewalks. Rather, it is the property owners themselves that may be financially responsible for the resulting damages in these cases.
For more information about premises liability, please visit our slip-and-fall accidents page.