If you live in an apartment building, you likely have a landlord. You should know that your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of your apartment complex. And if they do not fulfill this responsibility, and you incur injuries or damages as a result, then you may take legal action against them. Read on to discover what landlord negligence leads to an apartment accident and how a seasoned Tampa slip and fall lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A., can help you with your case.
What types of landlord negligence leads to an apartment accident?
Sometimes, apartment accidents can be blamed on a tenant. But more often than not, they can be blamed on the negligence of a landlord who fails to fulfill their duty of care. Examples of such read as follows:
- Failure to ensure that sidewalks are free from hazards such as cracks.
- Failure to ensure that stairways are free from hazards such as loose railings.
- Failure to ensure that parking lots are free from hazards such as inadequate lighting or potholes.
- Failure to ensure that swimming pools are free from hazards such as loose barriers.
- Failure to ensure that sidewalks, stairways, and parking lots are free from weather-related hazards such as snow and ice.
- Failure to ensure that floors are free from hazards such as loose floorboards.
- Failure to install smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors in the individual apartment units.
- Failure to remove mold or asbestos from the individual apartment units.
What should I do if I suffer after an apartment accident?
It may be helpful to serve your negligent landlord with a demand letter. In this letter, you can explain your accident, your injuries, and the compensation that you require to reach a full recovery.
If they deny your request or overall ignore your letter, then you can pursue a slip and fall injury claim. For your claim, you should follow the below steps immediately after your accident:
- Call the police: that way, a police report will be written and an ambulance will be dispatched to the scene.
- Take photos and videos: that way, your injuries, damages, and the apartment’s hazards will be recorded.
- Collect the contact information: that way, present witnesses can testify later on.
- Gather your medical documentation: that way, the date, time, and extent of your injuries will be recorded.
- Gather your medical bills: that way, the cost of your required treatments will be recorded.
What is the statute of limitations for a slip and fall claim?
Importantly, you have a deadline when it comes to filing your slip and fall injury claim. Otherwise known as the statute of limitations, this deadline is generally four years from the date of your Florida accident.
If you miss this deadline, then you miss your opportunity to sue and receive the compensation that you require to heal. So before it is too late, contact a competent Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer.
