When can a municipality be held liable for slipping on ice or snow on a sidewalk?

A municipality is generally responsible for clearing away ice or snow on a sidewalk in front of a public building or a commercial area. It is not responsible for clearing away ice and snow on a sidewalk in front of a private residence or private property. If you slip on ice or snow on a public sidewalk in a residential area, the municipality cannot be held liable. However, if you slip on ice or snow on a sidewalk in a commercial area, you can hold the municipality liable.

The condition of ice and snow can change within minutes - ice can melt, or it can be cleared away. Hence, it is important that you take pictures of the accident scene, your clothes, and any bruises that you might have received. It can be difficult to win the case without pictures of the ice and snow as it was at the time of the injury.