Can I Sue If I Slipped and Fell on an Icy Sidewalk?

There are many parties who might be liable for a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk. If the accident happened due to your own carelessness, it’s possible that you would be responsible for your own injuries. But depending on the circumstances, you might have grounds for a premises liability claim against a business establishment, property owner, or the local municipality responsible for maintaining the public walkways.

There are several factors that will go into determining who might be liable for the resulting medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Of particular importance are the location of the incident, what you were doing prior to falling, and the jurisdiction’s snow shoveling rules.

In Minneapolis, for example, homeowners and landlords are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their properties. Those who own single-family houses and duplexes have 24 hours from the end of the snowfall to shovel their portion of the sidewalk. Those who own apartments and commercial buildings, on the other hand, have four daytime hours from when the snow stops falling to clear the walkways around the premises. Daytime hours begin at 8 a.m.

Although the state of Minnesota does not have a statute that requires municipalities to implement or enforce a sidewalk clearing policy, most municipalities do. The specifics might vary among individual towns or counties, but they all mandate that snow and ice be removed within a certain period of time after the weather has cleared.

If you fall while it is still snowing, it might be more challenging to file a successful premises liability claim because the property owner has the right to wait until the snow has stopped before shoveling. But if you fall on ice that accumulated during past storms, you may have grounds for a claim—even if it was snowing when the incident occurred. You may also be entitled to compensation if more than the allotted time had passed for clearing the sidewalks.

Property owners who fail to follow their municipality’s sidewalk clearing ordinances are not only liable for any injuries that might occur but are also subject to a citation and fine, as well as the cost of snow removal. When a homeowner or landlord does not shovel, crews will be dispatched to clear the sidewalk. The municipality will then bill the property owner.

In towns where there is no shoveling ordinance, the municipality may be responsible for clearing the snow. In this circumstance, the municipality may be liable for damages if someone slips and falls on an icy sidewalk.

Call 320-259-5414 to Speak with a Premises Liability Attorney in St. Cloud