On February 26, Richmond Vona’s co-founder and CEO, John Richmond, took to Rochester First (WROC) to explain whether homeowners can be liable for ice and snow on their property and adjacent sidewalks. Ice on sidewalks can present a dangerous issue for postal workers or pedestrians, especially in Monroe County and all of New York State during the winter months.
Can You Be Liable For Your Sidewalk in New York State?
In short, John explained, the answer is yes–you can be held liable for the sidewalk in front of or next to your home across the state of New York. Under New York’s premises liability laws, property owners of both commercial and residential property have a legal duty to keep their property safe, and violations could mean you’ll be held financially responsible for any injuries that occur on your property.
New York homeowners are responsible for keeping their direct property and surrounding sidewalks safe–however, the law does allow a reasonable amount of time for homeowners to wait for the winter weather to stop before going out and attempting to make their property safe.
As a Rochester native, John has seen many cases of uncleared ice and snow causing serious injuries. It’s crucial to take the proper safety measures to ensure you aren’t liable for falls in front of your home. When it’s safe to do so, shovel the sidewalks surrounding your property, put out salt to melt any remaining ice, and document the safety measures you took with photos or videos.
John Richmond and the Richmond Vona Team Are Here For You
For more information on New York’s ice and snow removal laws, read Richmond Vona’s snow and ice FAQ here. If you have questions about the law or have slipped and fallen on an icy sidewalk, contact John Richmond or the Richmond Vona team today to learn more about your rights and duties as a New York homeowner by calling 716-500-5678.
