Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you may very well be able to pursue legal action against your landlord if you are harmed on their property. Your lease establishes certain duties of care that your landlord must uphold when it comes to the safety and security of your apartment building. Further, certain situations that occur at your apartment building may create additional duties for your landlord to adhere to.
Negligent Security
For example, consider a violent fight takes place at your apartment complex. If your landlord does not install locks and/or security cameras after this event, they can be held liable if you are injured in a violent fight in the future. This concept is known as “negligent security,” and it can trigger a premises liability lawsuit.
Unsafe Conditions
Similarly, unsafe conditions at your apartment complex can inspire premises liability claims, but only if your landlord is aware of the situation and fails to warn you or repair the danger in a reasonable amount of time. Your landlord can also be found liable if they create a dangerous situation.
Consider a staircase, for instance. If there is a broken stair and you trip on it, there are several things your landlord could have done to prevent your injury. Assuming they knew about the hazard, they could have blocked the staircase with caution tape and posted a written warning, or simply had the stair repaired. If the stair was loose because the landlord was having the staircase replaced and they did not notify you of the construction, they can also be held liable.
Negligent Hiring and Leasing
When you live in an apartment, workers may come into your unit to make repairs and spend time in the complex for gardening, maintenance, and other reasons. Further, many people tend to live in the same complex. Your landlord has a duty to perform background checks on employees and tenants. Should they skip a background check and expose you to harmful criminal activity, your landlord could be found liable in a court of law.
Violating Safety Laws
In New York, landlords are legally obligated to keep premises livable and adhere to certain safety and accessibility standards. If they fail to do so, they can face various civil consequences under both landlord-tenant and premises liability laws. One good example of specific safety laws has to do with elevators. A broken elevator can cause serious harm, so your landlord and the people they employ have to adhere to certain requirements.
Hurt At Your Apartment Complex? We Can Help!
If you slip and fall or otherwise sustain an injury at your apartment complex, our attorney can investigate the circumstances of your accident and help you pursue legal action, if appropriate.
A successful claim can help you account for missed work, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Don’t hesitate to explore your legal options – call the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli at (516) 628-6402 today or click here for a free consultation.
We are available 24/7 and 100% dedicated to your rightful financial compensation.