A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere, even if we are careful. You can even slip and fall in your house. Sometimes these kinds of accidents are unavoidable. Slip and fall injuries can be severe and result in high medical expenditures.But what if you slip and fall and injure yourself in your own home or apartment where you pay rent? Many people have this question, and they want to know if they can sue their landlord. Nonetheless, the answer is not always so simple because it will depend on different factors. To be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries after a slip and fall accident, you must be able to demonstrate that your landlord or property manager was negligent and that you were injured as a direct result of that carelessness. For example, if you spot a damaged step in the stairwell one day and warn the landlord about it, and they do nothing to replace it, and weeks later your spouse is harmed while walking upstairs due to the broken step, the landlord may be held liable. Keep in mind that you must demonstrate more than just that the step was broken and that your spouse slipped and fell as a result of it. You must also demonstrate that the landlord or property manager was advised of the hazardous condition and that the problem was not resolved within a reasonable time frame.
What exactly is a slip and fall?
A slip and fall accident is an event that occurs when someone slips due to slippery surfaces, like wet or icy floors and falls injuring themselves.
Where do falls commonly happen?
There are some places where slip and fall accidents tend to happen more often. For example, stairs can be a dangerous place. Broken or irregular steps can easily cause someone to fall. Loose handrails can also lead to a slip and fall accident. The kitchen and laundry room can potentially be dangerous areas of the house. Typically, appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators are connected to the water line in these places. A leak from one of these items could result in an accident. Another area of the house where people need to be especially careful is the bathroom. Similarly to the kitchen, in the bathroom there are many water connections that can leak and generate a puddle. Finally, you can find some hazardous conditions on the exterior of the house or building. In some cases, walkways, driveways and sidewalks can be cracked or have irregularities that can cause someone to trip and get injured.
Is a landlord responsible for icy conditions in the parking lot?
During the winter, snow is widespread everywhere, including the parking lot. If snow is not removed after a snowfall, parking lots, like any other outdoor area, can turn icy. Icy conditions in the parking lot can be extremely hazardous, especially if the distance between your vehicle and the building is considerable.To sue your landlord after slipping and falling in the parking lot, you must first prove that the parking lot is owned by the owner. In some circumstances, parking areas are open to the public, and you cannot sue your landlord if you fall. Another circumstance in which you cannot sue your landlord or property manager is when the parking lot is maintained by a homeowners or condo association. In that case, they are accountable for your injuries.
What if my fall happened at an apartment complex?
Slip and fall accidents do not only happen at homes; they can also happen at your apartment complex. If you live in an apartment complex, you will most likely have to use some common areas such as lobbies, stairs, laundry rooms, corridors and walkways. It is possible to fall in any of these areas of the building. Property owners and managers owe a duty of care to their tenants. This means that they must ensure that all spaces where people walk and use are free of possible hazards that could lead to a fall. As a result, the same rules that apply to the inside of the unit apply to the common areas of the building. Therefore, if someone slips and falls as a result of a dangerous condition that was notified to the owners but was never corrected, the landlord may be held accountable for the accident. Nonetheless, depending on the lease terms, tenants may be responsible for snow removal throughout the winter. If that is the case, the owner cannot be sued for a slip and fall injury after someone fell due to snow or ice.
What compensation can I receive for a slip and fall injury?
When someone wins a slip and fall case, the judge may award this person compensation for the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future and present rehabilitative therapies
- Medical devices
- Costs of hiring home help
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life quality
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
How much is my slip and fall case worth?
Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries. Some injuries are minor, while others can be life-threatening. Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, and fractures. These injuries can result in much greater medical and rehabilitation costs. Nonetheless, a slip and fall settlement might easily range from $10,000 to $50,000.
What should I do to protect my rights after a fall?
After a slip and fall accident there are some crucial steps that you must take to protect your rights.
- Seek medical help: A slip and fall accident can cause significant injuries, so make sure you are okay. Some injuries do not manifest themselves immediately after the incident, thus seeing a doctor is highly recommended.
- Collect evidence: Make sure to take photos or record videos of the place where you were injured. You also need to take photos of the element that caused the accident.
- Notify your landlord: Make sure that your landlord is aware of the incident as soon as possible. Try to notify them in writing. This can also serve as evidence in the future.
- Contact a lawyer: It is critical to seek the advice of a slip and fall lawyer. An expert attorney will assist you in building a strong case. Slip and fall accidents can be tricky, but having a lawyer on your side increases your chances of winning significantly.
