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The Politics of Shoveling

The duty to clear ice and snow varies by state, and there are those states in which a property owner has a responsibility to clear the snow at least enough for reasonably safe passage for anyone who might walk onto their property.

By Kelly Maheu | Updated on March 04, 2010
The first big snowfall of the year dumped historic amounts of the white stuff on a large part of the country in February 2010, leaving many to contend with the cold, messy, nightmare of shoveling, shoveling, and shoveling some more.

Oh, but the beauty of the powder glistening in the moonlight! The flakes dancing so delicately across the earth! So lovely, so magical … and so wet, slippery, and dangerous. As an insurance person, I see snow as representing icy roads, wet floors, and snow-concealed hazards. Consequently, I also think of accidents, injuries, and claims.

Natural Accumulation or Neglect?

While there are an abundance of snow- and ice-related auto accidents during the winter months, there are quite a few people-related accidents, as well. Slick surfaces on sidewalks, outdoor steps, and parking lots can be very hazardous for pedestrians, and snowy conditions are some of the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents. Fortunately, most of these mishaps result in little more than a sore backside and a red face.

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