In New York, living in a rental apartment obliges you to trust your landlord. Your health and life safety depend on the preservation of property, and landlords must ensure their tenants’ security. Easily slipping on the hallway inside the building can transform your everyday routine into a distressful torture.
Few tenants are aware that they cannot just file a complaint about the conditions they live in and walk out. If a mishap causes physical injury, the renter has the right to file a lawsuit against the landlord and seek decent compensation. Determining what makes your case valid and how to establish proof can help you recover the damages sustained as a result of the accident.
When the Landlord Can Be Held Responsible
Almost every landlord is legally responsible for ensuring the condition of their rental properties. They should repair defective flooring, damage from the leak, and clean out the snow from the sidewalk right in time. When they refuse to meet these obligations, accidents occur.
For instance, the landlord is liable if the tenant slips on a wet hallway floor caused by a leaky pipe never bothered to repair. A broken handrail or staircase is another example of irresponsible duty practice on the part of landlords. However, to have your case validated, you need to prove that the landlord was aware or should have recognized the dangerous condition in which he left the property.
Proving negligence is a complex procedure involving taking photos, submitting a copy of your maintenance request, and collecting witness testimonials. The Olena Manilich slip and fall lawyer team’s objective is to provide evidence that supports your claim and safeguards your interests.
Examples and Possible Costs After a Fall
However, injury cases in rental apartments can be mild and limited to bruises or more severe, causing fractures or even head trauma. A simple fall in a poorly lit hallway could mean a sprained ankle and a few trips to the doctor—$2,000 to $5,000. While severe injury due to more serious causes, among them a broken step or a slippery stairway and can mean several thousand dollars in surgery, physical therapy, and months off work—$25,000 to $100,000 or more in medical bills, lost earnings, and follow-up therapy.
For instance, what if a tenant warned his or her landlord multiple times that there was a loose tile around the bathroom sink? When the landlord disregarded this warning, the tile fell, the renter slipped and fell, and the renter broke an arm, requiring surgical treatment. In the majority of cities and towns, that would be a situation of landlord negligence. Schedule a consultation with The Law Office of Olena Manilich to learn how much your case might be worth.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall
Finally, don’t neglect your own well-being, whether you fell or didn’t. Contact a doctor and comply with the doctor’s recommendations. In this case, everything matters. Take photos of the place where you fell, save any paper or electronic correspondence with your landlord, and store all documents associated with your medical history. They are the basis of your allegation if you need to sue.
Moreover, you have to do all this in quite a short amount of time. Filing a personal injury claim in New York is subject to time constraints. It would be much simpler for your attorney if the entire evidence weren’t spoiled or fixed. The sooner he participates, the safer. Contact us today. To meet the tight deadlines, the team at The Law Office of Olena Manilich can help the claimants.
Holding Negligent Landlords Accountable
In sum, a landlord who ignores safety issues endangers the entire building. If you file a claim, you are not only doing so to cover the costs, fees, and time spent recovering from the fall but also to ensure that no one suffers an accident again.
It may seem overwhelming to take legal action, but you do not have to go through it alone. If you or someone you know has had the misfortune of having a slip and fall in your rental, schedule a consultation today with The Law Office of Olena Manilich.
