Snow and ice cause dangerous conditions on the walkways of New York and Long Island. In winter and early spring, the weather is unpredictable and it comes with the pitfalls of dangerous surfaces. Pedestrians are at risk when walking the sidewalks and streets of New York cities and towns after inclement weather. One can sustain a myriad of personal injuries that can physically and financially affect their life for years. Property owners are responsible for keeping surfaces reasonably clear of snow and ice in order to protect pedestrians. The Noll Law Firm, P.C. has the experience to know the difference between hazards brought on by natural conditions and ones brought on by negligence. If you have been the victim of a slip and fall related to snow and ice, contact our firm to act swiftly to see if you have a case.

What to do if you slip and fall on snow or ice

The first thing you should do if you slip and fall on snow or ice is to seek medical treatment. Not only does this help you physically, it documents your medical situation at the time and place of the fall. If you are able, take note of where you are and why you fell. Take pictures, get contact information from witnesses, and anything else that will document your condition, the condition that led to your fall, and the place and time of that fall. Especially with weather-related accidents, conditions will change by the hour, so time is of the essence.

New York City snow and ice removal obligations explained

In New York City, property owners have the legal obligation to clear snow and ice within a reasonable amount of time from when the snow stopped falling. If the snow stopped falling between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., property owners are liable to clear the hazardous conditions within 4 hours. If the snow stops falling between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., property owners have until 11:00 a.m. to clear the hazardous conditions. In some cases, depending on the type of housing, the city or town may be responsible for the removal of weather-related conditions. If you need to sue a municipality, you have a very short window to bring the case to court. In New York, the statute of limitations expires in 90 days.

Contact a law firm ready to act

The Noll Law Firm, P.C. is quick to act when it comes to personal injury cases. As stated above, time is of the essence when dealing with weather-related injuries. You may have a valid case, but the ever-changing weather could erase evidence within hours. The Noll Law Firm, P.C. works with professionals that can travel to the site with or without you and assess the conditions quickly. Victims have the burden of proof when acting on a slip and fall case. The Noll Law Firm, P.C. is available to gather evidence and effectively and aggressively bring it to trial. Don’t allow someone else’s negligence burden your life with dormant physical problems that can affect employment and future finances. Call The Noll Law Firm, P.C. today.