Don’t Get Sued – Make Sure Your Sidewalk and Steps are Properly Repaired

Heavy rain, winter and construction plows that are slow can all play a part in the damage of a sidewalk. And while it may not be fair the city cracked your sidewalk while plowing or that a construction crew left your driveway ruined, you are the person who will be sued. Yes, you may file a complaint with the city or the construction team, but it take awhile for any response during that time it’s not as though you will get a waiver claim and to come. After you detect cracks and bumps on your sidewalk or steps, call a repair team straight away.

Who is liable for trips incurred?

If the sidewalk or stairs are on your property or if you own a home or a business, you are the one liable if a person should trip over the crack or stumble over upended slate. Based on the severity of the injury, the amount of the lawsuit can be stiff. If you are waiting for a crew to come repair the stairs or sidewalks, the best way is to indicate the area with yellow caution tape and pylon cones. Also, try to find a sign that says Caution or Danger so you can say that you did everything you could to warn pedestrians that there was damage to the surface and will have better luck fending off a liability lawsuit. The same is true for businesses. If your business operates out of a building with stairs, driveways and sidewalks, it is your responsibility.

Causes of sidewalk Accidents

Snow and Ice accumulation is inherently harmful. Ice is tricky to see. The danger is often hidden by covered debris and unknown elements under the snow. Snow pileups can make walking very difficult causing people to trip up and eventually hurt themselves.

Cracks are rather common. Are raised or irregular elevations in sidewalk. They grow from age tree roots and from the differences between the cold and hot seasons.

Trashcans, overflowing trash, dropped tree limbs and leaves, children’s toys, bottles, and sharp metals are just some of the things thatcan cause a person to trip or hurt themselves. Ice & snow is very difficult to see through. The opacityconceals any dangers normally visible to the human eye.
Potholes are usually made when asphalt or concrete are split apart due to weather changes. . When the roots of shrubs and trees force the asphalt or concrete to break potholes can grow. Cracks can happen at any time. They are raised or irregular splits in the concrete. They generally develop from normal wear and tear, bad soil conditions, uprising tree roots and from weather changes between cold and hot seasons over time.

Property owners will receive notices if they have broken any of the sidewalk regulations of the city. The property owner’s failure may result in being fined and in most cases, the city will force the property owner to pay for the cost of repairs and the damages. So take this as a lesson, get some tips from the experts in the industry such as, and repair your sidewalk and steps. Making sure they are properly repaired will save you the headache of being fined.

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