Who’s Liable for a Slip and Fall on a Sidewalk in Long Island or The Hamptons?

Sidewalk slip and fall accidents are all too common across Long Island and The Hamptons. Cracked pavement, ice, and uneven surfaces—often made worse by aging infrastructure or unclear maintenance rules—can lead to serious injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a fall, you’re likely wondering: Who’s responsible?

Understanding sidewalk liability in New York isn’t always straightforward. The answer depends on where you fell, who maintains the area, and how quickly you act.

Private Property vs. Town Responsibility

In many Long Island towns, property owners are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses—not the town or county. That means if you slip on a broken or icy sidewalk, the adjacent property owner could be held liable.

But there are exceptions. Some towns or villages take on maintenance duties themselves. Identifying who’s responsible—quickly—is key to your case.

Local Rules Vary—Even Between Neighboring Towns

Each town has its own rules for snow and ice removal, and they’re more strict than you might think. A few examples:

• East Hampton: Homeowners often have just 4 hours after a storm to clear snow and ice.
• Southampton: Commercial property owners may have 6 hours to take action.
• Huntington: Residential snow removal is often expected within 24 hours.

Missing these deadlines can open the door to liability—especially if someone is hurt as a result. A local attorney can help you understand what rule applied and whether it was broken.

Deadlines Are Tight—Especially for Town-Owned Sidewalks

If your fall happened on a sidewalk maintained by a public entity, you have just 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. That’s much shorter than the usual three-year deadline for personal injury lawsuits in New York.

Wait too long and you may lose your right to sue altogether.

What You Need to Build a Strong Case

The more evidence you collect, the better. Helpful documentation includes:

• Photos or videos of the sidewalk condition
• Medical records showing your injuries
• Witness names and statements
• Weather reports from the day of your accident
• Reports or complaints already filed about the sidewalk
• Maintenance logs from the town or property owner (your attorney can help obtain these)

Key Considerations for Sidewalk Cases in 2025

A few trends are shaping how these cases are handled on Long Island:

• Better Documentation: Engineers now use tools like LiDAR scans to measure sidewalk defects and overgrowth.
• Comparative Fault: Even if you were partly at fault (e.g., distracted walking), you may still recover compensation.
• Historic Zones: Towns like Sag Harbor may have preservation rules that delay repairs—these can factor into liability.