Finding the perfect apartment can feel like a massive weight off your shoulders. However, the last thing you expect after you get settled in is to slip and fall due to a hazard in your apartment. Unfortunately, many are unaware that they may be able to file a claim against the negligent party responsible for the hazard in a rented apartment. If this represents your circumstances, you’ll want to keep reading to learn more about your legal rights and the importance of working with a Monroe, Louisiana slip & fall lawyer who can help you in the fight for justice.
How Can a Slip and Fall Happen in a Rented Apartment?
Unfortunately, there are several ways in which someone may suffer a slip and fall in an apartment building. Familiarizing yourself with these circumstances can help you stay alert to potential hazards and mitigate the risk of injury. As such, the following are some of the most common hazards you may encounter in an apartment that can result in a slip and fall:
- Unsafe stairwells (inadequate lighting, missing handrails, broken treads)
- Loose carpeting or floorboards
- Debris or cords left on the ground
- Wet spots from cleaning
- Broken or missing concrete slabs on walkways
Though injuries resulting from a slip and fall may not seem serious, ensuring you seek immediate medical treatment following the accident is critical. Unfortunately, these accidents can result in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, soft tissue damage, back injuries, and spinal cord damage.
Can I File a Claim to Fight for Damages?
If you are injured in your apartment building, understanding when you can seek compensation from a liable party for the damages you’ve sustained is critical. Generally, liability will depend on where the accident occurred and the circumstances surrounding the accident.
A slip and fall inside a rented apartment building unit is generally the tenant’s responsibility. For example, if you slip on a rug or trip over cords you placed in the unit, the landlord cannot be held liable. This is because you ultimately decided to place these fixtures, so the property owner does not assume liability. However, in the event you are injured in your apartment due to an unsafe condition that has been there since before you moved in, your landlord may face liability. This is because it is ultimately their responsibility to fix any hazards before you rent the unit. Similarly, if an issue arises, like a leaky pipe, and you’ve alerted your landlord but they fail to remedy the hazard in a reasonable time and you slip and fall as a result, they can face liability.
Your landlord or property management company is also responsible for injuries that occur in common areas and shared spaces, like hallways, parking lots, and stairwells.
As you can see, several factors must be taken into consideration if you’ve sustained an injury due to the negligent actions of your landlord. If you wish to fight for compensation, it’s in your best interest to discuss your legal options with an experienced personal injury attorney from Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson, LLC. Our firm understands how difficult these matters can be, which is why we will fight for you. Contact us today to learn more.
