Sidewalks are supposed to keep us safe. They’re built to separate pedestrians from traffic and provide a reliable path through our neighborhoods, business districts, and parks.

But in St. Louis, Missouri, many sidewalks are anything but safe. Cracks, uneven slabs, and crumbling pavement create trip hazards that put unsuspecting pedestrians at risk.

If you’ve recently tripped on a broken sidewalk in St. Louis, you’re probably asking yourself:

• Who’s responsible for my injuries?

• Can I make the city pay?

• Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?

At Sansone & Lauber, we’ve been fighting for injured clients in St. Louis for decades. We know how devastating a trip and fall accident can be — broken bones, hospital stays, weeks of missed work, and long-term physical limitations. Even worse, the city and insurance companies will often deny responsibility or stall until victims give up.

This comprehensive guide will explain how sidewalk liability works in Missouri, what steps to take after a broken sidewalk injury, and how our aggressive trial lawyers can fight to get you maximum compensation.

Why Broken Sidewalks Are So Dangerous in St. Louis

St. Louis is one of the oldest major cities in the Midwest, with miles of aging sidewalks. From South City to Downtown to the Central West End, cracks and gaps in pavement are common. The causes are endless:

• Tree root growth pushing up concrete slabs

• Winter freeze-and-thaw cycles breaking apart cement

• Years of neglect by property owners or city departments

While many people think of sidewalk falls as “minor,” the truth is that trip and fall accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, especially for older adults. Some of the most common include:

• Fractured wrists, elbows, hips, and ankles

• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Torn ligaments and severe sprains

• Spinal injuries and nerve damage

• Dislocated shoulders or knee injuries

These injuries don’t just hurt — they cost real money in medical bills, therapy, lost wages, and long-term care. That’s why Missouri law allows victims to hold negligent property owners — and sometimes even the City of St. Louis — accountable.

Who Is Responsible for Sidewalk Maintenance in St. Louis?

The key to winning a broken sidewalk injury claim is proving who had the duty to maintain the sidewalk where you fell. In St. Louis, that responsibility varies:

1. Residential & Commercial Property Owners
   Under St. Louis City ordinances, the property owner adjacent to the sidewalk is generally responsible for keeping it in safe condition. That means a homeowner, landlord, or business could be liable for your injuries.

2. The City of St. Louis
   The city itself may be responsible if the sidewalk is city-owned or if the hazard was reported and ignored. However, lawsuits against the city fall under the Missouri Tort Claims Act, which has strict rules and deadlines.

3. Contractors & Utility Companies
   If your fall happened near construction or after utility work, the contractor may be liable for failing to repair or warn about sidewalk defects.

Can You Sue the City of St. Louis for a Broken Sidewalk Injury?

Yes — but it’s not easy. Cities in Missouri, like St. Louis, are normally protected by sovereign immunity, which shields government entities from lawsuits. However, there are exceptions under the Missouri Tort Claims Act.

You may be able to sue the City of St. Louis if:

• The sidewalk was public property controlled by the city,

• The dangerous condition created an unreasonable risk of harm,

• The city knew or should have known about the hazard, and

• The city failed to fix it or warn pedestrians within a reasonable time.

⚠️ Deadline Warning: Missouri law requires that you file a written notice of claim against the city within 90 days of the accident. If you miss this deadline, your case could be thrown out — no matter how strong your evidence is.

Private Property Owners and Sidewalk Liability in Missouri

In many cases, responsibility doesn’t fall on the city at all. Instead, it rests with homeowners, landlords, and businesses. Missouri law imposes a duty on property owners to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors.

That includes:

• Inspecting sidewalks for dangerous conditions

• Repairing cracks, holes, or uneven slabs

• Providing warnings (cones, signs, or barriers) until repairs are made

If a business ignores these duties and you suffer a trip and fall injury, you may be entitled to compensation through a premises liability claim.

Common Causes of Trip and Fall Sidewalk Accidents in St. Louis

Sidewalk hazards aren’t always obvious until it’s too late. Some of the most common causes of sidewalk injuries in Missouri include:

• Uneven pavement slabs caused by tree roots or soil shifts

• Cracks and potholes that snag shoes, walkers, or canes

• Broken bricks or loose stonework on decorative walkways

• Poor lighting near sidewalks at night

• Snow, ice, or debris left uncleared after storms

• Construction negligence where sidewalks are left unsafe

Each of these hazards can create a strong premises liability case when an owner or government entity fails to address the danger.

What To Do If You Trip on a Broken Sidewalk in St. Louis

1. Get Medical Care Right Away

Your health is priority one. Injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away.

2. Photograph the Scene

Take wide-angle and close-up photos of the sidewalk defect, surrounding area, and lack of warnings. Capture your injuries as well.

3. Gather Witness Information

If anyone saw your fall, get their name and contact info. Witnesses can make or break liability disputes.

4. Report the Hazard

• If on private property: notify the business or landlord immediately.

• If on city property: file a report with the St. Louis City Streets Department.

5. Preserve Evidence

Keep the shoes and clothes you were wearing — they may prove how the fall happened.

6. Call a St. Louis Slip and Fall Attorney

Trip and fall cases against cities or businesses are fought hard. Don’t face them alone. A skilled St. Louis injury lawyer can launch an investigation, gather evidence, and make sure deadlines are met.

Compensation You Can Recover After a Sidewalk Injury

If your claim is successful, you may recover damages for:

• Medical bills (ER visits, surgery, rehab, prescriptions)

• Lost wages if you missed work during recovery

• Loss of earning capacity if you can’t return to your old job

• Pain and suffering for physical and emotional distress

• Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries are long-lasting

At Sansone & Lauber, we fight for every dollar you deserve — not just the bare minimum insurance companies want to pay.

Legal Challenges in Sidewalk Accident Cases

These cases are never simple. Some of the biggest hurdles include:

• Sovereign immunity defenses from the city

• Strict filing deadlines under Missouri law

• Finger-pointing between property owners and contractors

• Insurance company denials and lowball offers

That’s why you need an aggressive trial lawyer who’s not afraid to take the fight all the way to court. At Sansone & Lauber, we’ve recovered millions for St. Louis injury victims because we don’t settle for excuses — we demand results.

Real-World Example: Sidewalk Injury in Missouri

A Missouri woman tripped on an uneven sidewalk slab outside a commercial building in St. Louis County. She fractured her hip, requiring surgery.

Our investigation showed the landlord had been warned about the defect months earlier but failed to repair it. By filing a premises liability claim, she recovered compensation for her medical costs, lost wages, and future care.

This is just one example of how negligence leads to preventable injuries — and why accountability matters.

Why Choose Sansone & Lauber for Your Sidewalk Injury Case?

At Sansone & Lauber, we don’t just handle cases — we fight to win.

When you’re injured because of a broken sidewalk in St. Louis, you’re not just up against a property owner or a city department — you’re up against insurance adjusters, lawyers, and bureaucrats trained to deny your claim.

Here’s why clients trust us:

• ⚖️ Proven Results – Millions recovered for injury victims in Missouri.

• ⚔️ Aggressive Trial Lawyers – We prepare every case for trial to maximize settlement value.

• 🏛️ Local Knowledge – We know Missouri’s liability laws, St. Louis ordinances, and the courts.

• 💰 No Fees Unless We Win – You pay nothing upfront.

FAQ: Broken Sidewalk Injuries in St. Louis

Q: How long do I have to file a claim?

• Against private property owners: generally 5 years under Missouri law.

• Against the City of St. Louis: notice of claim required within 90 days.

Q: What if I was partly at fault?
Missouri follows pure comparative fault — even if you were 40% at fault, you can still recover 60% of your damages.

Q: Do I need an attorney?
Yes. Cities and businesses will not take you seriously without legal representation.

Q: What if the city says they didn’t know about the hazard?
We investigate complaint logs, inspection reports, and neighborhood records to prove negligence.

Protect Yourself After a Sidewalk Fall

Every day you wait, your case gets weaker. Sidewalks get repaired, evidence disappears, and deadlines pass. If you’ve suffered a trip and fall accident on a broken sidewalk in St. Louis, don’t wait for the city or property owner to do the right thing.

Take control. Call Sansone & Lauber — and put proven St. Louis injury attorneys on your side.

Call Sansone & Lauber Today for a Free Consultation

Our results-driven injury lawyers will investigate your case, hold negligent parties accountable, and push for the maximum compensation you deserve.

📞 Call Sansone & Lauber at (314) 863-0500 today
or
💻 Contact us online for a free case review.

We Fight For You

Broken sidewalks are more than an inconvenience — they’re a public safety hazard that ruins lives. When cities, landlords, or businesses cut corners, innocent people pay the price. Don’t let that happen to you.

At Sansone & Lauber, we don’t stall. We don’t settle for less. We fight — and we win.