A Monmouth County business is required to remove snow and ice from their sidewalk. The common law in New Jersey states that a commercial business is required to remove snow and ice from their sidewalk as well as remedy any defects which are either known to the business or should have been known to the business through reasonable inspection.
The seminal case in New Jersey in regard to sidewalk liability came from the New Jersey Supreme Court. In that specific case, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that a commercial business does need to take reasonable steps to ensure that the sidewalks that abut their premises are in a reasonably safe condition. The general rationale behind the decision was that businesses are fundamentally different that homeowners in that a business operates for profit and expects individuals to enter and exist their premises for a profit purpose where a homeowner does not operate or use the space for profit. Therefore, a business owner does have a duty to keep their sidewalks in a safe manner and remove snow and ice where a homeowner does not have the same common law obligations and therefore cannot be held liable in a civil suit.
Monmouth County is home to many businesses and often sees the accumulation of snow and ice on the sidewalks during the winter months. Therefore, snow and ice cases in Monmouth County do arise with some frequency throughout the winter months.
If you or someone you know would like to speak with one of our Monmouth County slip and fall attorneys call our law firm day or night. Our Monmouth County slip and fall on ice attorneys will take the time to meet with you and discuss all of your options.
