Sidewalk liability

[Lacy_UnderAlls]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

I recently bought a home after almost a lifetime of renting and I have two questions. I suspect I know the answers but only as a layman.

I live on a corner lot. The sidewalk is about thirty or forty yards long and winter is coming up. It lines the corner of two public streets. If I don't keep it snow free and someone slips and falls am I liable? Or maybe I should say Am I Always Liable.

If I am, do I have the right to put up orange cones or something along those lines to warn people to stay off because it's unsafe and thereby protect myself from slip and fall accident lawsuits?

My guess is yes and no. But if that is true it seems like a catch 22. I own the sidewalk but people are free to walk on it all they want.

 

[bdancer]

Yes, you are responsible to shovel the snow and ice from the sidewalks and no, you cannot stop people from walking there. Some cities in Ohio have pretty stingent ordinances concerning clearing sidewalks within a certain timeframe.

So go buy yourself a good snow shovel and a big bag of salt. That should prevent folks from slipping and falling. But make sure your homeowner's liability insurance is paid up.

 

[efflandt]

I grew up in Milwaukee which required snow to be cleared from public sidewalks within something like 24 or 48 hours.

But in Elgin, IL people think that if they shovel the walks and somebody slips and falls, they will be liable. So many people leave let nature take its course (unshovelled). People should just wear proper footwear that does not slip so easily on ice, but you cannot count on anyone being sensible.

I guess it does not matter that a public sidewalk is actually on a public right of way owned by the city, even if you have to cut the grass and maintain it.

 

[Lacy_UnderAlls]

Yes, you are responsible to shovel the snow and ice from the sidewalks and no, you cannot stop people from walking there. Some cities in Ohio have pretty stingent ordinances concerning clearing sidewalks within a certain timeframe.

So go buy yourself a good snow shovel and a big bag of salt. That should prevent folks from slipping and falling. But make sure your homeowner's liability insurance is paid up.

Well here's the kicker and I guess I'm just SOL. I'm handicapped and I can't shovel that snow. I guess I'll have to pay for it even though that will be tight. It doesn't doesn't seem fair to me. If it's my property and my responsibility, why can't I say stay off or take your chances?

That's a rhetorical question...thanks for the feedback!

I do have homeowners insurance...

edited...physically challenged...