Slip and fall accidents result in hundreds of thousands of emergency hospital visits each year, with patients presenting with serious physical injuries that can leave them incapacitated or prove fatal. Even if a person manages to recover from their accident, the recovery might not be complete, and it can take a long time before they can resume their regular work-life balance to the pre-accident state. These accidents are almost always a result of egregious violations of public safety standards and are preventable with adequate safety precautions and periodic maintenance.
Among the locations where these accidents occur, residential complexes are by far the most common places for slip and fall incidents. The high volume of foot traffic in these buildings, combined with a higher risk of safety standards and building code violations, makes the residents, guests, or visitors prone to the danger of slipping, tripping, and falling. If you or your loved one got involved in such an incident, you can file a lawsuit against the negligent property owner for the compensation of your financial and non-financial damages.
Causes of Apartment Slip and Fall Incidents
Most apartment slip and fall incidents occur due to violations of public safety standards at the property. Hazardous conditions like dim lighting, missing guardrails, broken stairs, loose carpeting, broken flooring, undisposed trash, liquid spills, a buildup of snow or ice, and more can result in serious physical injuries and even death. These conditions are preventable through regular inspection and maintenance, and failure to perform adequate safety checks and eliminate these hazards can result in serious accidents for which the property owner can be held liable.
Can You Sue Your Landlord?
If your slip and fall accident occurred at your apartment, you can pursue legal action against your landlord to recover damages. Landlord liability in slip and fall incidents depends on the premises liability law, according to which each property owner is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment at their establishment. It includes performing regular safety checks and eliminating any public safety hazards as they arise.
If it is discovered that the landlord or building management had or should have had reasonable knowledge about said safety hazards and failed to take timely action, they can be held liable in a court of law. To recover damages for your incident, you must prove the above stipulations along with the submission of physical evidence that proves the damages resulting from the accident.
Most commonly, landlords are found to be liable for slip and fall accidents that result from building code violations, inadequate property maintenance, and environmental hazards like snow or ice at an apartment complex. These conditions generate a foreseeable risk for slip and fall incidents and expose people to dangerous circumstances that can quickly prove fatal.
Conclusion
If you got injured in a slip and fall accident at your apartment, you might be able to sue your landlord to obtain fair compensation for your physical and financial damages and pain and suffering. Hiring an experienced attorney is one of the foremost steps to ensure that your legal rights will be protected in such a lawsuit.
