For many people, the word “home” evokes feelings of safety and comfort. Home is where you relax and spend time with loved ones. But what do you do when the house or apartment you rent is poorly maintained, and you’re injured because of your landlord’s negligence? Can you file a lawsuit against them in order to recoup compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, etc.—and if so, how should you go about doing that?
Here’s what you need to know before filing a claim against your landlord, and a few situations where you may want to do exactly that.
Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against My Landlord?
Yes, if your landlord was negligent in their maintenance of the property where you live, and you were injured as a result, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. Landlords have a legal obligation to maintain a safe and habitable environment for their tenants. When they fail to uphold that obligation, they can be held liable through personal injury lawsuits.
When Can I File a Lawsuit Against My Landlord?
There are many different scenarios in which a personal injury claim against a landlord might be filed, but the most common is known as a Slip & Fall (or premises liability) lawsuit. When a tenant falls and hurts themselves on a landlord or business owner’s property, and the fall occurred because of a dangerous condition that the landlord knew or should have known about, they can file a lawsuit to hold the landlord accountable for all damages incurred. Here are some examples of dangerous conditions:
- Wet floor
- Icy sidewalk or stairs
- Missing handrail
- Cracked, uneven, or missing steps
- No warning signs or hazard cones
As attorney Keith Mitnik likes to say, “You didn’t fall for no reason.” In situations like any of the above, it’s advisable to reach out to a personal injury attorney to see if you qualify for a case.
Another typical example of a lawsuit filed against a landlord would be if the landlord or property manager failed to install or maintain functional smoke detectors or fire alarms, and a tenant suffered burn injuries as a result. If the landlord’s negligence caused or contributed to the injury, the tenant could be owed compensation.
How Do I File a Personal Injury Claim Against My Landlord?
There are a few key steps you should take if you were injured and you think your landlord was responsible:
- Collect the contact information of any people who witnessed your injury or who can testify to the inadequate maintenance of the property.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Not only will you feel better but this will help prove that your injury is legitimate.
- Take photos of the dangerous condition (e.g., a missing handrail or spill) that caused or contributed to your injury.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer who can determine if you have a case.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
You may feel like you can’t afford an attorney, but nothing could be further from the truth. At Morgan & Morgan, we offer free case evaluations, and it costs nothing upfront to hire us. We operate on contingency, which means we only get paid if we successfully resolve your case.
Hundreds of thousands of people have reached out to us in their time of need. Why? Because we’re America’s largest personal injury law firm, and our track record speaks for itself. Since 1988, we’ve recovered over $20 billion for our clients. Our attorneys are tough, experienced, and they won’t settle for anything less than full, fair compensation for your injuries.
To learn more, contact us for a free consultation. These cases are time-sensitive, so if you delay, you could miss the deadline to file. Don’t miss your shot at justice. Reach out today.