When you finally find an apartment that’s right for you, you may feel a massive weight off your shoulders. However, the last thing you anticipate when coming home after a long day at work is sustaining a slip and fall injury due to unsafe conditions. Unfortunately, many are unaware that they may be eligible for compensation in the event they are injured in a rented apartment. If this reflects your circumstances, the following blog explores your legal rights in further detail, as well as the importance of working with Baltimore County slip and fall attorneys if you have sustained injuries.
How Does a Slip and Fall in an Apartment Happen?
Unfortunately, there are a number of circumstances that can lead to a slip and fall due to the negligent actions of a landlord or property management company. As such, understanding the hazards can help you stay alert and potentially minimize the risk of injury. These dangers include the following:
- Unsafe stairwells (inadequate lighting, broken handrails, loose treads)
- Loose carpeting, tiles, or floorboards in common areas
- Defects in the apartment unit
- Uncleared snow or ice
- Debris left on the ground
- Wet spots from cleaning or spills
Though slips and falls may not seem that serious, they can leave victims with lasting injuries, from broken bones and soft-tissue damage to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. As such, it’s imperative to seek immediate medical treatment if you are involved in a slip and fall and believe you’ve sustained injuries.
Can I Seek Compensation for an Accident in a Rented Apartment?
When you are involved in a slip and fall in your apartment, it’s important to understand the circumstances under which you can pursue compensation from your landlord. You should note that generally, you are responsible for hazards in your home. For example, if you slip and fall because of a rug you placed, you will be unable to hold the landlord liable for the injuries you sustained.
Generally, to file a claim against your landlord or property manager, you’ll find that the defect that led to your accident must have been present in the unit before signing your lease, or something you informed your landlord about before your accident. For example, if there is a leaky pipe and you’ve requested a repair but your landlord failed to act despite this repair falling under their responsibility as per your lease, you can file a claim.
Similarly, if an accident occurs outside of your apartment unit, like in a hallway, stairwell, or on the premises outside of the building, your landlord may be held liable. If they fail to clear snow and ice on the walkway and you slip and fall as a result, they can be held responsible. Additionally, if you are injured because of unsafe stairwells, for example, they can face liability as it is their responsibility to maintain common areas of the building.
As you can see, pursuing a claim against a landlord for accidents that happen in your rented apartment can be incredibly difficult because of the different factors that determine liability. That is why working with an experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi is in your best interest. Contact us today to learn more.
