When you rent an apartment, the landlord has a duty to maintain common areas and make sure that her rental units are in reasonably safe condition. If your landlord breaches this duty and you sustain an injury as a result of her breach, there is a good chance that you can file a claim against your landlord and her insurance will cover your losses. Here are six common danger areas for people who rent.
Stairwells
Poorly maintained stairs can pose a significant risk of injury. Examples of hazardous stairwell conditions that are likely the result of landlord negligence include inadequate lighting, missing handrails, uneven or broken stairs, and slippery surfaces.
Elevators
If your building has an elevator, your landlord is responsible for making sure that it is in good working order. This includes complying with local regulations regarding inspections and maintenance. Poorly maintained elevators can cause extremely serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe lacerations, all of which would likely entitle victims to financial recovery. In addition, you may be able to recover compensation for emotional distress if you become stuck in a malfunctioning elevator for a significant period of time.
Inadequate Security
Under certain circumstances, a landlord may have a duty to install certain security devices on a rental property, such as outdoor lighting or locks on exterior doors. In the event that such a duty exists and you are the victim of a crime that reasonable security measures may have prevented, you may be able to file a legal claim against your landlord. This is also true in cases in which security measures were in place, but the landlord failed to maintain them adequately.
Parking Lot & Garage Maintenance
Many rental properties have parking lots or garages where tenants can park their cars. If the landlord does not adequately maintain these areas, it can result in injury to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Common examples of inadequate maintenance of parking lots or garages include faded or missing signage, inadequate lighting, cracked pavement, and maintenance problems that result in falling objects or the collapse of the structure itself.
Fires
Landlords are required by law to provide tenants with a smoke detector that is in working order at the beginning of the lease. Once the lease has commenced, however, the tenant is typically responsible for changing the battery and performing regular testing. If you are injured or lose property in a fire that is the result of a landlord not providing a working smoke alarm when you moved in, you may be entitled to compensation for our losses.
Call Leighton, Katz & Drapeau to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney
If you have sustained an injury in or around your apartment building, there’s a chance that you can hold your landlord liable for your losses. The personal injury lawyers of Leighton, Katz & Drapeau serve injured victims throughout the state of Connecticut. Schedule a free consultation with a lawyer by contacting us online or calling 860-875-7000.
