{"id":6200,"date":"2023-11-27T06:38:34","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T06:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/pedestrian-accidents-and-slippery-sidewalks-whos-liable\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T08:31:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T08:31:45","slug":"pedestrian-accidents-and-slippery-sidewalks-whos-liable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/301webdemo.com\/zaylaw\/blog\/pedestrian-accidents-and-slippery-sidewalks-whos-liable\/","title":{"rendered":"Pedestrian Accidents and Slippery Sidewalks: Who’s Liable?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ontario is no stranger to slippery sidewalks. Every winter, as snow and ice accumulate across Ontario, thousands of people end up injured because of slips and falls on icy sidewalks. If you slip on a sidewalk in Ontario can you file a personal injury claim<\/a> to pursue compensation for your injuries? If so, who is liable?<\/span><\/p>\n

The answer is, of course, not so straightforward. In this article, we will give an overview of Ontario <\/span>slip and fall accidents<\/span><\/a> on slippery sidewalks and discuss who is responsible for injuries that occur. However, every case is unique.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have been injured from a fall on a slippery sidewalk, you should contact a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible to review your case. Your lawyer will assess the details of your case to help you understand if you can make a claim and how to prove that the third party was liable for the accident.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who is Responsible for Clearing Snow and Ice From Sidewalks in Ontario?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many cities in Ontario have bylaws that stipulate who is responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks. Each municipality is different, but often the bylaw requires residents to clear snow and ice from walkways adjacent to their property to some extent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Toronto<\/span><\/a>, for example, property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks in front of and adjacent to their homes within 12 hours of the end of snowfall, when snowfall is 2 cm or less. In cases where snowfall is greater than 2 cm, city crews will clear all sidewalks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who is Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents on Sidewalks in Ontario?<\/span><\/h2>\n

So, if a bylaw stipulates that property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk, <\/span>are they liable for slips<\/span><\/a> that occur on the sidewalk?<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually no. In most cases, per <\/span>the Municipal Act<\/span><\/a>, the municipality has an overarching duty to ensure sidewalks are clear of hazards. However, municipalities are only liable for <\/span>slips and falls caused by snow and ice<\/span><\/a> in cases of \u201cgross negligence\u201d from the municipality. The Municipal Act does not provide any examples of gross negligence, but some possible cases might be if:<\/span><\/p>\n