Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental injuries and deaths throughout the United States and can occur at any place that has conditions unsafe enough to allow for such incidents. Residential buildings and apartment complexes are some of the most common sites of slip and fall accidents and related injuries due to the busy nature of such properties. The constant flux of residents, guests, and visitors means that at least some of them have a significant chance of getting involved in such an accident.
If you or your loved one were involved in a slip and fall accident in an apartment building, you might be able to sue the negligent party for compensation for your damages. To file a said lawsuit, you need to prove negligence on the part of the property owner. Read on as we find out how liability is determined in such cases and what you can do to ensure that your slip and fall lawsuit gets you the compensation you deserve for your financial damages and pain and suffering related to the accident.
Common Causes and Consequences of Slips and Falls
Apartment slip and fall accidents can occur due to a wide range of causes, including dim lighting, lack of guardrails, torn carpeting, damaged floors, uneven stairs, slippery surfaces, and more. These safety hazards create a dangerous environment that paves the way for most slip and fall accidents and subsequent injuries.
These accidents can result in a myriad of physical injuries, ranging from mild bruises and contusions to bone fractures, massive internal bleeding, and more. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of the injuries, these accidents can prove fatal for the victims.
Determining Liability
All properties whether residential or commercial, private or public, owe their guests a certain duty of care, which means that the property owners and management are responsible for maintaining safe conditions for their patrons. The same rule applies to residential apartments and includes all individuals, whether residents or visitors.
The property owner or management can be held liable for a slip and fall accident if it is proven in court that they behaved negligently, that is, they had or should have had reasonable knowledge of the safety hazards at their property and failed to take appropriate measures to minimize the danger to public safety.
Additionally, an important component of determining negligence is proving that the slip and fall accident resulted in serious financial, physical, and emotional damages. These damages vary between different cases but usually include medical or surgical expenses, incidental expenses, loss of income, compensation for pain and suffering, etc.
Conclusion
If you or your loved one got injured in a slip and fall accident at an apartment, you should enlist the help of an experienced personal injury attorney specializing in slip and fall lawsuits. A skilled lawyer will help build a winning legal case from the ground up and help you obtain fair compensation for your damages.
