According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, approximately 35 percent of households are occupied by renters. If you are a renter, chances are you have had issues with your apartment and have had to contact your landlord to have them resolved. However, what happens when you suffer an injury in your apartment, such as a slip and fall? How do you know if your landlord is liable? If you're considering filing a personal injury claim against your landlord after suffering a slip and fall, here are some questions you might have:
What Happens If I Slip and Fall Inside My Apartment?
If you slip and fall inside your apartment, your landlord or the apartment owner's liability is dependent upon several factors. One of the most critical factors is negligence. For you to have the ability to file a claim, your attorney must prove that your landlord either knew about the issue that caused your slip and fall and did nothing about it, or they must prove that a repair wasn't sufficient.
For example, suppose you had a bad leak around your bathtub. You told your landlord about it, but they either refused to fix the leak, didn't repair it in a timely fashion or simply didn't do a very good job. If you slipped and fell inside your bathroom because the landlord didn't adequately repair the leak, you might have a case.
After suffering a slip-and-fall accident in your apartment, it is important to contact an attorney immediately. The attorney can help decide whether the landlord was negligent and if you have a case.
What Happens If I Slip and Fall in the Exterior or Common Areas?
As a tenant, you have a reasonable expectation of safety. This means that you should expect to be safe, no matter where you are in the building. This also applies to the exterior of the building and the common areas. Once again, your lawyer will have to prove that the landlord was willfully negligent, and it was this negligence that led to your slip and fall injury.
One instance of negligence could be a slip and fall that occurred on an icy sidewalk on the property. If it is not the tenant's responsibility to keep the sidewalks free of ice and snow, then it is the landlord's duty to maintain them throughout the winter. If your landlord is negligent and simply allows the sidewalks to become covered with ice and snow, and you suffer a fall, you may have a case.
Once again, it is critical for you to hire an attorney if you suffer an accident in your complex. The sooner you hire an attorney, the more quickly you can recoup any lost wages and medical expenses.
What Should I Do If I Slip and Fall Inside the Complex or My Apartment?
After suffering a slip and fall, whether it is inside your apartment or on the property, it is critical to create a detailed report of the accident. Take photos of your injuries and any damage or unsafe conditions that led to your fall. For example, consider the above-mentioned example of a leaky bathtub. Take pictures of the leak and any damage caused by the water.
If there was anyone else around, ask them to provide an account of the accident. Try to get their statements as soon as possible after the accident. This will ensure the information is still fresh in their memory. Gather this information and any other evidence you have, such as communication to the landlord about the conditions of the apartment or the grounds, and bring it to your attorney.
Suffering a nasty slip and fall inside your apartment can be scary, and you may not know if you have a case against your landlord. The first step you need to take after suffering a slip and fall is to hire a personal injury attorney who can help determine if you have a case and get you the compensation you deserve.
