Multiple parties may be held liable in a personal injury case if it has occurred on a rental property. These parties may include the landlord who happens to be the owner of the rental property and is liable for maintaining a safe environment for the tenants. Depending on your particular circumstances, you may be able to recover monetary damages by suing the landlord.
You may be entitled to compensation, and a Philadelphia slip-and-fall lawyer could help you settle your injury case and prove fault. Other parties that may be able held liable for the injury are the property management company hired by the landlord, contractors for faulty construction, other tenants who may have caused hazards on the property, and third parties such as visitors or guests.
Government entities may also be liable for injuries on rental property when they fail to maintain public walkways or roads.
Common Causes Of Rental Property Injuries
Some of the most common causes of rental property injuries in Philadelphia may include the following:
- Slip and fall accidents occurring on poorly maintained stairs, walkways, or unusual flooring
- Unusual activities such as theft or assault.
- Electrical hazards that result from electrocution or fires
- Leaks causing water damage or mold growth
- Defects in structure leading to collapses
- Faulty wiring or gas leaks
- Poor lighting
These are examples of hazards on rental properties that may lead to injuries to visitors or tenants. Proving fault in a slip-and-fall accident may be challenging at times for tenants. Landlords can be held liable for injuries on rental property as they have a duty of care towards tenants.
Landlord Legal Responsibilities In Rental Property Safety
A landlord’s obligation is to maintain a safe environment for renters and tenants. They must maintain clean spaces when tenants enter them, maintain common areas in the property, make regular repairs to prevent hazards, and conduct inspections to avoid defects. Landlords must also take essential steps to prevent slip-and-fall accidents caused by the accumulation of ice or snow.
Renter & Landlord Liability For Snow And Ice
Renters are not always responsible for removing snow and ice from the property they rent; this is typically established in the lease. Most people who rent a single-family home are responsible for snow removal, but it still may depend. Apartment complexes typically have a maintenance person who will remove snow and ice, but this is not always the case. You should always the lease carefully to determine who must remove slippery substances from sidewalks and other paths.
People who rent a property in a retirement community or those who rent a property managed by a property management company may not have to worry about snow and ice removal. If a fall occurs because snow and ice are not removed, the landlord may be held liable.
Renters who are responsible for snow and ice removal must adhere to local ordinances. Many townships or municipalities require that snow and ice be removed within a certain period of time after snow stops falling. If renters fail to remove slippery substances, they may be held liable when someone passing by falls on the walkway in front of their rental property.
Accidents Due To Code Violations
Landlords are responsible for keeping their properties up to code. Code inspections may be periodically done to ensure no violations, but not every property is targeted by code enforcement officers.
Failing to keep a rental property livable can lead to slip-and-fall accidents. Examples of code violations that may contribute to falls include the following.
- Staircases that are left in disrepair. Crumbling, cracking, or other defects could allow a person to trip and fall down, causing serious injury.
- Renovations or other construction projects in an apartment complex may not be properly marked. A tenant may accidentally trip and fall in the area if no sign warns residents to avoid the hazardous construction zone.
- Lobbies and other common areas need to be mopped on occasion. This leads to a slippery floor, and therefore a sign warning tenants about the hazard should be put up. The property manager or owner could be liable if a slip and fall occur and a warning is not visible.
- Sidewalks and uneven or crumbling curbs could also cause a dangerous situation where a trip and fall accident could happen.
What Compensation Can I Collect In My Rental Property Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you are injured on a rental property due to landlord negligence, you may file a personal injury claim against the landlord. Some economic and non-economic damages may be able to recover include the following:
- Present, past, and future medical expenses related to the injury caused on the rental property
- Lost wages or loss of earning capacity in case your injury has resulted in missing work or long-term or permanent disability
- Property damage causing damage to personal belongings in the accident
- Pain and suffering caused by the injury
In rare cases of where the landlord or other third party acts in a wilful or wanton recklessness, thereby causing a tenant’s to sustain injuries , punitive damages may also be awarded to the liable party so they may not repeat the same conduct.
Sustained Injuries On Rental Property? Contact Law Offices of Samuel Fishman
You may be entitled to compensation if you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to negligence by your landlord or any other party. Personal Injury Lawyers at The Law Offices of Samuel Fishman may be able to help you handle your premises liability claims. They may also be able to help you receive compensation for medical expenses related to your injury.
Schedule a free consultation with a landlord negligence attorney to help you understand your rights following a slip-and-fall accident.