Slip and Fall Injuries After Snow and Ice in Queens: Can You Sue a Landlord or Business Owner?

Snow and ice present ongoing risks throughout the winter in Queens. As storms develop and conditions fluctuate, snow can melt during warmer periods and refreeze when temperatures drop. This cycle often leads to black ice and unsafe walking conditions around apartment buildings and businesses, increasing the risk of slip-and-fall injuries.

How Melting Snow and Black Ice Create Risk

During the day, snow melts due to rising temperatures or salt. At night, that water can freeze again into nearly invisible sheets of black ice. This refreezing creates some of the most dangerous walking conditions in Queens neighborhoods. Many people suffer injuries just trying to walk to their car, enter a building, or return from work.

• Sidewalks that refreeze overnight
• Snow piles that melt and flow across walkways
• Entrances where melted snow refreezes into slick spots
• Ice buildup from leaking downspouts or blocked drains

Who Is Responsible for Snow and Ice Injuries?

In New York, property owners are required to keep their premises safe. This includes shoveling snow, salting walkways, and addressing known hazards. In Queens, that legal responsibility applies to landlords, building managers, store owners, and even some tenants, depending on the lease. If someone gets hurt because a walkway was not properly cleared or treated, the person responsible for maintenance can be held liable.

Slip and Fall Accidents at Apartments and Commercial Properties

Slip-and-fall accidents often happen in front of apartment buildings or stores. Property owners must clear ice and snow within a reasonable time. In Queens, this typically means within four hours after a snowfall ends, during daylight hours. Failing to shovel properly or allowing water to refreeze creates dangerous conditions that lead to falls.

• Apartment landlords are responsible for front steps, sidewalks, and shared areas
• Store owners and managers must clear entrances, curbs, and customer paths
• Building management companies may share liability for failing to respond to known risks

Common Injuries from Snow and Ice Falls

Slip-and-fall accidents on snow or black ice can lead to serious medical consequences. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Broken bones in the wrist, ankle, or hip
• Head injuries, including concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
• Knee and shoulder injuries from bracing during a fall

What to Do If You Were Injured After a Storm

If you fall because of ice or snow, taking the right steps immediately can protect your health and your legal case.

• Get medical attention right away and keep all records
• Take photos of the area where you fell before conditions change
• Look for signs of runoff, pooling, untreated areas, or refrozen patches
• Ask for witness contact information if anyone saw the incident
• Report the fall to the property manager, store staff, or landlord

Do You Have a Slip and Fall Case?

Our Queens slip-and-fall lawyers can investigate how the accident occurred and who was responsible for maintaining the property. If someone failed to remove ice properly or created a hazard through poor snow removal, they may be responsible for your injuries. Every case depends on timing, documentation, and location. We will walk you through your legal options and help you build a claim based on evidence.

Serving Queens and Surrounding Areas

Bardizbanian & Associates, P.C. represents clients injured across Queens, including in Forest Hills, Astoria, Flushing, and Jamaica. We understand how black ice and post-storm hazards affect local sidewalks, building entrances, and business districts. If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, we are here to help you take the next step.

Free Consultations Available Now

If you were hurt in a slip and fall after a snowstorm in Queens, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. Our legal team can review your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact Bardizbanian & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation today by visiting our contact page or calling 332-264-5169.

Posted in Personal Injury Questions, Premises Liability, Slip and Falls | No Comments »