Poorly Maintained Apartment Complexes
A wide range of situations may fall under the category of a premises liability case, including poorly maintained apartment complexes. Many hazards related to apartment complexes cause injury or death to individuals every year that are often overlooked. Property owners are responsible for ensuring that their premises are properly maintained, habitable, and safe. Unfortunately, it is often found in case discovery that these duties are not performed, and others are caused harm due to property owner negligence.
What is a Premises Liability Case?
A premises liability case is when an individual suffers injuries due to unsafe or dangerous conditions on someone else’s property. In these cases, it must be proven that the injured person was lawfully present on the property at the time of the incident. The burden of proof is on the claimant to establish that the property owner was negligent in property maintenance, failing to address known hazards, or not providing sufficient warning to visitors of potential dangers. These cases may encompass many scenarios, including poorly maintained apartment complexes.
Who is Liable for Accidents in Poorly Maintained Apartment Complexes?
The property owner’s responsibility is to ensure the safety of common areas and keep areas free from foreseeable dangers. This includes fixtures, parking lots, elevators, railings, and stairs. If the failure to maintain one of these areas causes another individual to sustain an injury, the property owner may be held accountable for the resulting damages. Common cases include:
- Carbon Monoxide: Poorly maintained apartment complexes may lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that may poison and kill an individual quickly from direct exposure. Property owners may be liable for damages if they neglect the responsibility to install functioning carbon monoxide detectors and perform routine maintenance.
- Electrical Systems: In older apartment complexes, electrical systems that are decayed or completely compromised may cause catastrophic fires. When these systems start to fail, apartment complex tenants may notice bizarre issues with the electrical. This may be a sign of the failure to control electrical current and, in turn, lead to a catastrophic fire.
- Stairways: All stairways accessible to individuals with the right to be on the property or to the public must be properly maintained. Unfortunately, those common oversights may lead to traumatic injuries on a stairway. This may include insufficient grief tape on the stairs, inadequate railings, and loose stairs.
- Path of Egress: The means of egress may be outdated or not up to code for many old apartment complexes. As such, insufficient exit and entry doors may prevent an individual from escaping a fire or another catastrophic event.
What Damages Are Recoverable?
If a claim is successful, the injured party may be entitled to reimbursement for economic and non-economic damages caused by negligent individuals and entities. These may include:
- Medical expenses
- Wage loss
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
When You Should Work With a Premises Liability Attorney
Contacting an attorney immediately following an accident may significantly impact the outcome of an injury case. Not only must evidence be collected and preserved following the incident, but there is a statute of limitations, usually two years in most cases. Some of the ways an experienced and compassionate lawyer can help you with your case include:
- Help an injured party fully understand their rights under California law
- Gather and preserve all evidence, including video surveillance and witnesses
- Conduct an independent investigation to identify all potential negligent parties
- Handle negotiations with all involved parties, including insurers and opposing counsel
- Ensure that the appropriate documents are filed properly and within the applicable deadlines
- Work with expert witnesses to ensure that liability and damages are proven
- Keep a client well informed on the status of their case every step of the way
- Take the case to trial if necessary
Our legal team has extensive experience with personal injury and premises liability cases at our law firm. When you work with our law office, we will guide you every step of the way and seek the full compensation you deserve. We work on contingency, meaning you do not have to pay attorney’s fees unless we secure a favorable case resolution. Learn more about us and our services in the video below.
Premises Liability Lawyer in Sacramento
Property owners are responsible for ensuring the safety of their premises to keep others out of harm’s way and maintain their properties free of foreseeable and discoverable hazards. Nonetheless, situations may arise when a property owner’s negligence leads to people suffering injuries. At AutoAccident.com, our Sacramento premises liability lawyers can protect your rights and seek the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started and receive free, friendly advice on your potential case at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
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