Injury on Landlord's Property
Landlords are responsible for tenants’ safety on their property. If you are a tenant injured on your landlord’s property, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against the landlord for rightful compensation.
Landlord’s Negligence
If a landlord’s actions (or failure to act) is the proximate cause of a tenant’s injury, the court can hold the negligent landlord accountable to the harm caused to the tenant. Below are some examples of a landlord’s negligence that could have lead to tenant injuries.
Regulating Dangerous Conditions
Landlords are responsible to maintain and repair building conditions that could lead to tenant injuries. For example, if the landlord fails to repair a broken stair in a common area, causing the tenant to fall and injure themselves, the landlord can be accountable for the injury.
Knowledge of a Hidden Danger
Landlords are required to inform their tenants about dangerous conditions that are hidden or are obscure. For example, if there is an uneven floorboard or a latch hidden under a rug that could cause the tenant to trip over, tenants have the right to know about these conditions. If the landlord’s failure to inform the tenant causes the tenants’ injury, compensation may be merited.
Foreseeable Accidents
It is the responsibility of the landlord to take measures in preventing injuries that could be foreseen by any reasonable person. For example, if there is a loose handrail on the stairway under the landlord’s control, the landlords must inform the tenants as this problem could cause a foreseeable accident. If the landlord fails to inform or redirect the tenants from harm's way, they may be held responsible for the injuries from the foreseeable accident.
What To Do After an Accident or Injury
If you are injured on your landlord’s property, the first priority would be to seek medical attention. In addition to medical treatment, your doctor may be crucial in providing proof regarding the injury you’ve acquired through this incident. This is a crucial piece of information in determining the amount of compensation you may be able to receive. Follow your doctor’s instructions in treating the injury and document any losses you’ve incurred as a result of the injury. This could include hospital bills, transportation receipts, or proof of absence from work due to the injury. You should also document the circumstances that lead to the injury in order to determine whether the landlord was negligent in their responsibility to provide their tenants with a safe living environment.
We are Here to Help You.
If you or someone you know was injured because of the landlord’s negligence, the attorneys at The Tenants Law Firm are here to help you seek rightful compensation. Contact us by filling our online intake form here and we will promptly reach out to you. You deserve to live in a safe housing condition and we are here to fight for your rights.