Who Is Responsible for Clearing Snow and Ice?

Snow and ice are two of the most common causes of serious slip and fall accidents. During the winter months, snow, sleet, and freezing rain on walkways can cause devastating injuries.

Homeowners, renters, tenants, landlords, and property management companies often have questions about who’s responsible for shoveling and salting sidewalks, and what happens if someone is injured on their property. Here’s a brief explanation of who’s responsible for what when it comes to clearing sidewalks and walkways of snow and ice:

Premises Liability – Removing Snow and Ice

Essentially, premises liability means a property owner is responsible for keeping his or her property safe. If a mailman or a visitor falls because you didn’t shovel and salt your walkway, you could be responsible for covering that person’s injuries.

If you own your home…

Homeowners are responsible for removing snow and ice. If you have homeowner’s insurance, your policy will cover the costs if you or someone else is injured, up to the maximum amount of coverage available. If the medical bills are higher than the coverage you have, you can be held personally responsible for those costs.

If you rent…

If you rent your home, you may or may not be responsible for removing ice and snow.

• If you rent or lease a single family home, you likely are responsible for taking care of snow and ice.
• If you live in an apartment complex with several other units, the landlord or property management company should be responsible for removing snow and ice. Always read your rental agreement thoroughly – there may be a clause in the contract stating you must take care of snow and ice removal.
• If you live in a retirement community or rent from a company that manages properties for retirement-age tenants, they may take care of all maintenance and landscaping – including snow and ice removal.

Remember, every municipality has different laws regarding snow and ice removal for sidewalks. If you don’t know the laws for your area, be sure to find out as soon as possible by calling your local municipality office.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe

There are several things you can do to avoid slips and falls, and to keep your homes safe:

• Watch for spouts coming from the roof – they can cause ice patches or dangerous icicles. If a downspout is near a sidewalk or driveway, take extra caution to clear it.
• If you’re out of town, you still must arrange to have someone else clear your sidewalks and driveways.
• Whether you’re physically unable to remove snow and ice, or you’re out of town, ask a family member to do it for you, or hire a professional.
• If you have icicles hanging from your home, block off the area with orange cones or brightly colored construction tape until you can remove them.
• Take notice to other safety hazards while removing snow and ice. Water expands when it freezes, so large cracks and holes can appear in your sidewalk, which poses yet another tripping hazard. Be sure your outdoor lighting is adequate as well.

Understanding premises liability and your role in removing ice and snow can help prevent serious injuries. Whether you own your home or rent, know who is responsible for snow and ice removal. Review your homeowner’s insurance or check your lease agreement, and take the proper steps to keep your home safe for everyone.

Ordinances for Snow and Ice Removal

All municipalities have different ordinances. In the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for example, you have 24 hours to clear sidewalks and walkways of snow and ice. If you fail to clear public pathways and someone reports you to the city of Pittsburgh, you may receive a citation and face fines.

However, that doesn’t mean you should wait 24 hours to pull out the shovel or salt – the city of Pittsburgh expects you to clear your areas within a “reasonable” amount of time. If a snowfall or freezing rain left you with ample opportunity to clear your walkways before 24 hours were up but you failed to do so, anyone injured on your property may still hold you responsible for their injuries.

Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident? Hire an Experienced Attorney Today

If you’re suffering from injuries due to a slip, trip, or fall accident that was caused by snow or ice, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Pennsylvania attorneys have been helping slip and fall victims for more than 30 years, and we can help you fight for the money you deserve for your injuries.

Before you give a statement to the insurance company or sign your rights away, contact us to find out if you have a case. Get started now by taking advantage of our free legal evaluation. Call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage to get started.