Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Property owners and building administrators in the Czech Republic bear responsibility for damage or injuries caused by snow or ice falling from roofs, unless they can demonstrate that adequate preventive measures were taken in advance. This was stated by Lukáš Syrový, head of the real estate law team at Havel & Partners, in comments to the Czech News Agency.
According to Syrový, liability applies both to property damage and personal injury. If falling snow damages property, such as a parked vehicle, the responsible party must compensate the injured party for the full cost of repairs, as well as related expenses including towing or, where applicable, the rental of a replacement vehicle and lost income.
In cases where falling snow or ice causes bodily harm, the legal consequences can be more serious. Injured individuals may seek compensation for pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, medical expenses, and loss of earnings. In exceptional circumstances, criminal liability may also arise, including charges related to negligent bodily harm or, in extreme cases, negligent homicide.
To reduce the risk of damage and legal exposure, owners and administrators are advised to regularly inspect roofs and arrange for the removal of snow and ice during periods of heavy snowfall. The installation of snow retention systems, designed to prevent sudden snow slides, is also considered an important preventive measure.
Warning signs alerting passers-by to the risk of falling snow are not sufficient on their own to absolve owners or administrators of responsibility. However, Syrový noted that such signage may be taken into account as a mitigating factor, particularly when combined with other concrete preventive actions.
While incidents involving injuries to pedestrians are relatively rare, disputes related to property damage occur more frequently, especially in urban centres. These cases most often involve snow or ice falling onto vehicles parked near buildings. Although many disputes are resolved through out-of-court settlements, legal proceedings are not uncommon, and repair costs can reach tens of thousands of crowns.
The legal reminder comes amid renewed winter weather across the Czech Republic. Heavy snowfall affected the western part of the country on Friday, disrupting traffic on motorways, mountain roads and in city centres. Meteorologists expect occasional snowfall or snow showers to continue across much of the country, increasing the importance of preventive measures by property owners.
Source: CTK
