A video circulating on social media claims that people in Canada — including Indian immigrants — can sue homeowners for tens of thousands of dollars if they slip on an icy driveway and get injured. In the clip, an Indian man explains Canadian liability laws, saying homeowners are responsible for keeping their driveways clear of snow and ice. He claims that if someone slips due to a slippery surface and is injured, the homeowner could be held liable for negligence.”You see this driveway? If I go here running, by chance I fall here as it’s slippery, okay. And I fall and get injured, then do you know who will have to pay for this?” the man said in the video. He added that compensation could range from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the severity of the injury. While stressing that he personally would not pursue such a claim, he argues that it is the homeowner’s legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions. “So if your friend is going to catch a bus and by chance slips on the driveway, then send them this video, you can directly claim,” he said in the video.
Can homeowners be sued if you slip on their sidewalk?
Yes, Canadian homeowners can be sued if someone slips and falls on their sidewalk or driveway, particularly when negligence is involved — such as failing to clear snow and ice. Under provincial occupiers’ liability laws, property owners generally have a legal duty to maintain a reasonably safe, hazard-free environment for visitors, insuarance companies described. Whether a homeowner is held liable depends on whether they took reasonable steps to prevent injury, such as timely snow removal or applying salt. In many cases, claims related to slip-and-fall injuries are handled through the homeowner’s insurance, rather than out of pocket. Liability is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like weather conditions, local bylaws, and how quickly the homeowner responded to potential hazards.
