Fall on the sidewalk: Is the municipality exempt from liability when it claims it's private property?
The article examines municipal liability for falls on sidewalks, even when they occur on private property. Attorney Meital Bachar Vermochet explains that courts have ruled that the municipality must remove hazards on private property that the public uses. The article details legal steps for victims, including documentation, reporting to the municipality, and contacting a lawyer.
The article deals with municipal liability for falls on sidewalks and public areas, focusing on the municipality's claim that the area is private and therefore it is exempt from liability. The author, Attorney Meital Bachar Vermochet, explains that land ownership is not the end of the matter, and that courts have ruled that the municipality must remove hazards even on private property that the public regularly uses. The article details the steps to take after a fall: documenting the hazard, seeking medical treatment, reporting to the municipal hotline 106, and gathering evidence. It mentions two court rulings: Civil Case 70321-10-18 in the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court (Givatayim Municipality, 2021) and Civil Case 66759-01-23 in the Haifa Magistrate's Court (Nof HaGalil Municipality, 2026). The article markets legal services in collaboration with zap legal.