For Utah residents going about their daily business, sidewalks can pose various risks. From jagged cracks to slick ice, sidewalks can be in such bad shape that they endanger pedestrians. After falling on a sidewalk, you’re likely wondering who is responsible for a sidewalk’s upkeep. Still, the rules surrounding responsibility for sidewalk maintenance in Utah are more complex than you may expect.
Finding out who is responsible for maintaining a sidewalk is crucial for seeking liability after a sidewalk slip-and-fall accident. While establishing liability on your own can be confusing or difficult, working with a knowledgeable slip-and-fall lawyer may be the key to identifying the liable party and filing a successful claim. Reach out to the slip-and-fall lawyers at Feller & Wendt to learn more about your legal options in a sidewalk accident case.
Are Building Owners Responsible for Maintaining Sidewalks in Utah?
For many cities in Utah, it is solely the building owners’ duty to keep adjacent sidewalks open and accessible for pedestrian traffic. In Salt Lake City, for example, property owners bear full responsibility for maintaining safe sidewalks. As a result, they must perform the following duties:
- Repairing any sidewalks that are situated next to the property
- Clearing any hail, snow, or sleet from the sidewalk next to their property within twenty-four hours
- Ensuring that nothing, including overgrown vegetation, obstructs the sidewalk
However, building owners are not always responsible for maintaining the sidewalks near their property. The responsibility for sidewalk upkeep actually varies depending on the city as well as potential arrangements between the property owners and whoever is occupying the property, such as a lessor. Some municipalities even assist homeowners in paying a portion of the cost of repairing sidewalks.
Suing Building Owners for Sidewalk Slip-And-Fall Accidents
You have four years from the date of the slip-and-fall accident to bring a civil case in Utah’s courts seeking compensation for almost all damage claims originating from slip-and-fall incidents. Any lawsuit filed to cover the repair or replacement of personal property damaged during the slip-and-fall but did not result in any injuries must be filed within three years.
You can also file a lawsuit for injuries sustained on sidewalks owned and maintained by the local government. However, you must first submit a claim to your insurance provider and show evidence of your injuries. After that, you must submit a notice of claim to the relevant government agency. The government typically has three to six months from the date you file this notification to respond to your claim for damages. If the government does not act, settle, or take responsibility for your loss, you may then file a lawsuit against that specific government organization for your injury damages.
Discuss Your Utah Sidewalk Slip-And-Fall Accident With a Knowledgeable Lawyer
Identifying who is responsible for maintaining a sidewalk to seek compensation can take significant time and effort. Whoever is accountable must take all necessary precautions to make sure the sidewalk is free of any dangers that can result in a slip-and-fall injury. When they fail to do so, it puts your safety at risk and opens them up to liability.
Contact the personal injury attorneys at Feller & Wendt when you’re ready to pursue fair compensation and hold negligent parties accountable. We are a reputable firm with aggressive litigation skills. Our legal team has assisted clients in recovering losses for slip-and-fall accident injuries for many years. Call (801) 499-5060 or fill out our contact form to set up an introductory appointment and learn more about your legal options.
