Though most of us do not have to fear being unsafe in our own homes, the truth is, there are times where apartments and the complexes they are situated in can become very dangerous, usually as a result of negligent landlords. If you’ve recently been hurt in your own apartment due to no fault of your own, you should read on and reach out to our Queens personal injury lawyer to learn more about apartment accidents and how our firm can help if you’ve been injured in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What causes most apartment accidents?
Apartment accidents can have several potential causes, and at times, they are simply the fault of the tenants for acting unsafely. However, in many cases, apartment accidents are actually the result of careless or negligent landlords. This is because landlords are responsible for providing their tenants with safe living quarters, and when they fail to live up to this responsibility, people can sustain serious injuries as a result. There are several ways in which a landlord can behave negligently, including the following:
- Failing to ensure that tenants have clean water and air (think disturbed asbestos)
- Neglecting to install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in buildings and individual apartments
- Failing to ensure that all amenities on the apartment complex are safe, such as tennis courts, playgrounds, and more
- Neglecting to ensure that all elevators and stairwells are safe and in working condition
- Failing to ensure that flooring and balconies are sturdy
- Neglecting to remove weather-related hazards, such as snow, timely
- Failing to ensure that all parking lots and sidewalks on the complex are safe
How do I know if I have a valid premises liability claim against my landlord?
To have a valid premises liability claim against your landlord, you will have to gather and present sufficient evidence to prove that your landlord knew or should have known about the unsafe apartment conditions, failed to take action to fix them, and that you were injured and sustained damages as a result. Some of the most useful forms of documentation include witness statements, surveillance footage, pictures of the unsafe apartment complex conditions, a copy of the police report filed at the scene, medical documents regarding your injuries, and more. Ensure that you file your claim within three years of the date of your accident, in accordance with the state’s statute of limitations.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM
Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call 212-421-0300 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a New York City personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.
