OHIO – In Ohio, property owners are generally not legally liable if someone is injured after slipping or falling on a snow- or ice-covered sidewalk created by natural winter conditions.
Under Ohio law, snow and ice are considered open and obvious hazards, and homeowners and businesses are not required to remove natural accumulations to prevent injury. Liability may only arise if the property owner makes the condition more dangerous, such as allowing water to drain onto the sidewalk and freeze, creating an unexpected hazard.
While state law does not impose liability, some cities and towns do have local ordinances requiring property owners to clear sidewalks.
