Where you live is supposed to be a safe haven. A place where you can come home after a long day and relax. But what happens when that haven becomes your worst nightmare? What happens when you suffer a slip and fall accident on your landlord’s property?
Inside and outside of the home, landlords have a number of obligations to their tenants. These include: Making sure that the property is safe and free from hazards, providing basic services (such as heat, water, and electricity), taking reasonable steps to keep common areas clear of snow and ice, repairing any damage to the property, and not harassing or retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights. If a landlord fails to meet any of these obligations, they may be liable for damages. This includes damages suffered because of a slip and fall accident.
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover?
If you sue your landlord for such an accident, you can recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses are inclusive of both past and future medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. Non-Economic losses include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, scarring, and emotional distress -among others.
It is common for slip and fall accidents in an apartment building settlement to be in hundreds of thousands -sometimes even millions of dollars. Compensation will depend on state law, the facts of the case, and the severity of the injuries.
However, it is important to note that not every slip and fall accident will result in a successful lawsuit. To have a chance of winning your case, you will need to show that your landlord was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries.
This can be a difficult task, especially if the accident occurred in a public area or on common property.
How Do I Prove That My Landlord Was Negligent?
This can be done by showing that they failed to meet one of their obligations as a landlord. For example, if they failed to clear the property of snow and ice, and this caused you to slip and fall, they may be liable.
You will also need to show that the landlord knew or should have known about the hazard, and that they had a chance to fix it but failed to do so. Working with an experienced attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to prove negligence.
Statute Of Limitations
The statute of limitations for a slip and fall accident in California is two years. This means that you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against your landlord.
An attorney will ensure the personal injury litigation process and will keep you updated on the proceedings. They will also help to relieve the stress and anxiety that is commonly associated with litigation.
Conclusion
Suing your landlord after a slip and fall accident can be a daunting task. They have a number of obligations to their tenants, which may include making sure that the property is safe and free from hazards and providing basic services. If a landlord fails to meet any of these obligations, they may be liable for damages. With the help of an experienced attorney, you may recover the compensation you deserve.