The simple answer is yes, a landlord can be held responsible for an injury that was suffered on their property. As a tenant, you are owed a certain duty of care by your landlord. If they are not taking the proper steps to keep the property safe for you and other occupants, they should be held liable when injuries occur. A Queens premises liability lawyer can help you pursue compensation after an injury and hold your landlord accountable.
What Kinds of Injuries Can a Landlord Be Held Responsible For?
A landlord can be held responsible for all sorts of injuries and illnesses that occur due to the neglect of their property. Some common scenarios that can lead to premises liability cases against landlords include:
- Something in the building is not up to code, but the landlord does not fix it and it causes injury
- The landlord is responsible for cleaning up snow and ice on the sidewalk, but they do not and someone slips and falls
- The landlord keeps a dangerous animal on the premises and it bites someone
- You inform the landlord of mold or another dangerous issue, but they ignore it and someone gets sick
- The landlord knows that the front door is broken, but they do not fix it and a tenant is assaulted by a stranger as a result
In all of these situations, the landlord knew or should have known that there was a problem. They failed to address the issue in a timely manner and someone was hurt as a result. The landlord needs to be held accountable for the injuries caused due to their own carelessness and neglect.
What Can My Compensation Cover?
When you pursue damages in a premises liability case, your compensation is meant to make up not only for the expenses incurred due to your injuries but the trauma you experienced as well. A fair compensation offer should reimburse you for:
- Any medical bills resulting from your injuries
- Lost wages if you had to miss work
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
You may receive an initial compensation offer after your accident. Whether it is from your landlord or their insurer, that settlement is unlikely to adequately compensate you for what you have experienced. That is when you may want the assistance of an experienced premises liability attorney.
Contact a Queens Premises Liability Lawyer
If you are planning to pursue a case against your landlord, it is in your best interest to act quickly. Not only do you need to worry about the removal of evidence, but there is also a statute of limitations for such cases in New York. So contact the Law Offices of George Poulos and get the legal process started as soon as possible.
