If you are invited onto someone else’s property, you generally assume that it is going to be safe. If you get injured on that property and believe that the negligence of someone else is to blame, then you may have a personal injury suit on your hands. This can be true even if the property you got hurt on was an apartment complex. Someone is responsible for keeping it safe and they failed, and our Queens premises liability attorneys can help you hold them responsible.
What Should Someone Do If They Get Injured in an Apartment Complex?
If you get injured at an apartment complex, it’s important to take some steps to begin building a case right away. We recommend:
Taking pictures: Having photos of the safety hazard can help you make your case later, especially if the hazard is obvious and something that should have been fixed before it got the chance to harm someone.
Getting medical care: Do not put off getting medical care. Your injuries could be more serious than you suspect. If you do not seek care right away, the other side might say that maybe your injuries were not so serious after all.
Talk to a lawyer: An experienced personal injury lawyer will know what to do here.
What Are Some Common Hazards in an Apartment Complex?
There are plenty of ways to slip and trip at an apartment complex. Hazards that we see often include:
- Construction debris
- Standing water and leaks
- Broken stairs and pavement
- Broken handrails
- Poor lighting
- Snow and ice
All of these are obvious dangers and the person responsible for maintaining the property should be keeping an eye out for them and anything else that could cause harm.
Who is Ultimately Responsible for Keeping an Apartment Complex Safe?
In most cases, it’s the landlord’s job to make sure that their property is safe for everyone who uses their property. This can mean residents, invited guests, delivery drivers, and anyone else who would have permission to visit. As long as someone was not trespassing, they should expect the apartment complex to be safe for them.
If the landlord does not maintain their own property, then the management company or whatever entity does maintain the property would be likely to be held liable. A landlord could also still be responsible for the hazardous situation though, especially if they knew about a potential danger and did nothing to fix it. Your lawyer can help you figure out who should be held responsible.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me With My Case?
A lawyer from our firm will do everything that they can to help you fight for the best possible outcome in your case. They can:
- Gather evidence
- Prepare you for testimony
- Defend you from any accusation of wrongdoing
- Handle all communications on your behalf
- Calculate fair compensation and field settlement offers
- Prepare a case that can win in court, if necessary
Reach Out and Schedule a Consultation
We have plenty of experience fighting for injured clients, so contact the Law Offices of George Poulos and learn more about what we can do to assist you. We can schedule a consultation and take a closer look at your case.
