As a business owner in New Jersey, it’s your responsibility to keep pedestrians safe during ice and snow events. Snowstorms necessitate proactive measures to prevent slips and falls on sidewalks, driveways, and outdoor steps.
It’s essential to understand your obligations regarding snow and ice removal to maintain a safe environment for your family, neighbors, and community. In New Jersey, business owners must clear snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their properties. If a business owner neglects this duty and a visitor is injured as a result, they can be held liable for those injuries.
To ensure pedestrian safety, business owners should:
1. Remove snow and ice promptly.
2. Inspect the area regularly to identify and address hazardous accumulations.
3. Post warning signs to alert pedestrians about dangerous conditions.
New Jersey law protects business owners under the “ongoing storm rule,” which states that they are not required to clear snow and ice from public walkways during a storm if doing so is impractical or unsafe. Nonetheless, property owners are still expected to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition.
By understanding and fulfilling these responsibilities, business owners can help create a safer environment for everyone during the winter months.
Cooper Levenson is a full-service law firm established in 1957. Kathleen F. Beers, Esq. handles personal injury law and can be reached at kbeers@cooperlevenson.com or (609) 572-7570.