Ice Walkway Slip and Fall Accidents: What to Know

Key Takeaways

• Property and business owners in CT and MA must clear snow and ice or warn pedestrians of unsafe conditions.
• Municipalities may be liable for accidents on public sidewalks.
• Comparative negligence laws apply — you may still recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault.
• The statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall claim is two years in CT and three years in MA.
• An experienced slip and fall attorney can help prove liability using weather data, ordinances, and evidence.

Winter in New England is beautiful — but also dangerous. Connecticut averages nearly 37 inches of snow per year, and Massachusetts isn’t far behind. When snow and ice accumulate, sidewalks, steps, and walkways quickly become hazards.

Slipping on ice can lead to serious injuries such as fractures, spinal cord damage, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries. If you’ve been injured after a fall on icy property, you may have the right to seek compensation.

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, our Connecticut and Massachusetts slip and fall attorneys help victims prove liability and recover the compensation they deserve after winter weather accidents.

Common Ice Slip and Fall Scenarios

1. Public Sidewalks

In Connecticut and Massachusetts, most public sidewalks fall under the responsibility of the city or town, not the adjacent homeowner. If you slipped on an icy public walkway, your claim may be against the municipality — though proving negligence requires strong evidence.

Local governments are expected to keep sidewalks safe, but under comparative negligence laws, your damages can be reduced if you were partially at fault (for example, walking while distracted or intoxicated). A lawyer can help prove the municipality’s share of responsibility.

2. Private Businesses

If you fall outside a business — such as a grocery store, restaurant, or office complex — the property owner may be held liable under premises liability laws.

Business owners are expected to:

• Remove snow and ice in a reasonable timeframe
• Use sand, salt, or traction agents
• Post warning signs about slippery conditions

If these duties are ignored and you suffer injuries, you can seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

3. Icy Stairs

Falls on icy or poorly maintained stairs are common in winter. Property owners must comply with local building codes, which require proper railings, lighting, and safe stair dimensions.

If the stairs were broken, uneven, or unlit, and no efforts were made to clear the ice, the property owner may be liable.

4. Snow-Covered Walkways

Snow itself can be just as hazardous as ice. Both Connecticut and Massachusetts require property owners to remove snow and ice within a reasonable time after a storm — typically within 24 hours.

If you fall during an ongoing storm, however, you generally cannot hold the owner responsible until the storm has ended and a reasonable removal period has passed.

Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case

Generally, a property owner is not responsible for damages caused by the natural accumulation of ice or snow on his or her property. This responsibility usually rests with the municipality that has jurisdiction over the area where the damage occurred, as it is that entity’s responsibility to keep public sidewalks in a safe condition.

This does not mean, however, that a landowner can allow accumulated snow and ice to remain on his or her walkway for an extended period of time without any action being taken. A property owner could be held liable if injuries result from such negligence.

Generally speaking, a person who voluntarily removes ice or snow from his or her own walkway is not liable for injuries caused to others. However, there are instances where liability could be imposed if someone voluntarily removes ice or snow from an area adjacent to a sidewalk without first notifying the authorities about the dangerous condition.

The Property Owner’s Duty of Care and Winter Weather Hazards

The property owner has a duty of care to exercise due diligence in the inspection, supervision, and control of their premises. This is because they know or should know what is occurring on their property, whether involving licensees, trespassers, or invitees. The extent of this duty will always depend upon the facts of each case since no two cases are exactly alike.

A licensee is someone who enters onto land for his own purposes but with the consent of the defendant. A licensee may be expressly invited onto land or actually present without any invitation at all (for example, as a neighbor). 

A business guest can also act as a licensee if they are not specifically invited onto land by name but are allowed to come onto land for company purposes provided that they remain under the control of the business owner. 

A defendant’s liability to a licensee is generally limited as long as there has been no negligence in allowing them onto land. However, if the licensee intends to commit an immoral or illegal act upon entering, then this will break any consent that may have been given by the defendant allowing access to the premises.

Proving Liability in an Ice Slip and Fall Case

To win a claim, you and your attorney must demonstrate that the city, business, or property owner was negligent. Common steps include:

Reviewing Local Snow Removal Ordinances

Every town has its own snow removal laws detailing how long owners or municipalities have to clear snow and ice. Violations of these ordinances can strongly support your case.

Gathering Weather Reports

Accurate weather data helps establish the timing of the storm and how long hazardous conditions existed. Your attorney will use this information to show whether the defendant failed to act in time.

Establishing Comparative Negligence

Both Connecticut and Massachusetts follow modified comparative negligence rules. If you were found to be less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation — though it may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

Noting Exceptions

Under the “ongoing storm doctrine,” property owners are not responsible for accidents that occur during active storms. Liability begins once the storm has ended and a reasonable cleanup period has passed.

Statute of Limitations

You have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Connecticut.

Massachusetts has a three-year statute of limitations from the date of your accident.

Because slip and fall claims require evidence such as weather data, medical reports, and witness statements, it’s critical to contact a slip and fall attorney in Greenwich, CT, as soon as possible after your injury.

Get Help After an Ice Walkway Slip and Fall Accident

If you or a loved one slipped on ice in Connecticut or Massachusetts, don’t face insurance companies or city legal teams alone.

The experienced lawyers at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers have decades of experience handling winter slip and fall cases. We know local laws, municipal procedures, and how to build strong claims for maximum compensation.

Call 800-PERKINS or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and help you pursue the justice you deserve.