A tenant at an apartment should not be subject to an injury due to the negligence of a landlord. Unfortunately, some property owners will fail to adequately maintain their property, which can lead to a serious accident for a tenant. If you or a family member were injured at an apartment in New York City, you should consult with an experienced NYC premises liability lawyer. At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we are dedicated to providing you with the legal representation you deserve. Our firm is here to explain whether you can sue if you are injured in an apartment complex in New York City.
When is a Landlord Responsible for an Accident at an NYC Apartment?
Premises liability law deals with the obligations of a property owner. Specifically, property owners are required to keep their property free of any hazards that could injure visitors to a property. In some cases, a property owner may even owe a duty to a trespasser on a property.
If you live in an apartment complex in New York City, your leasing agreement will determine the obligations of your landlord. The agreement will dictate who is liable for repairs and similar issues. For example, if your apartment became infested with bed bugs due to the careless actions of a landlord, the landlord could be held liable for the issue if the leasing agreement places the burden on the landlord to exterminate the infestation.
A leasing agreement will typically provide that a landlord must provide regular maintenance of a common area of an apartment complex. For example, if your apartment complex has a pool that is poorly maintained, the landlord could be held liable for injuries sustained by tenants at the pool.
Additionally, a landlord may even be held responsible if a visitor to the complex was injured. For example, if you invited a friend to your apartment, and they suffered a concussion, broken bone, or other injury in a slip and fall accident in a common area, the landlord could be held liable for the accident.
If a landlord refuses to compensate you for injuries sustained due to their negligence, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. To learn more about common types of apartment complex injuries, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced NYC personal injury lawyer today.
Common Apartment Complex Accidents
There are a number of accidents that may occur at an apartment complex due to the negligence of a landlord. If you suffered an injury due to any of the following circumstances, you should consider filing a lawsuit for your injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents occur when a person trips over some hazard and suffers a serious injury. A slip and fall accident may happen for a number of reasons. For example, if a landlord fails to clear a common walkway of snow and ice, this could lead to a serious slip and fall accident.
Stairway Accident
A stairway accident is another possibility if a landlord fails to adequately maintain their property. Stairwells should be well-lit and should not have any defective stairs. Unfortunately, some landlords may fail to provide tenants with adequate maintenance in stairwells and other common areas.
Assaults
The landlord of an apartment complex must ensure they take steps to protect tenants from criminal activity. For example, if a landlord is aware that an area of the complex has been plagued with crime, they should hire security or institute other deterrents. If a landlord fails to take steps to ensure the safety of tenants, they could be held liable if a tenant is assaulted.
There are many other circumstances where a person could suffer a serious injury at an apartment complex. If you were injured in another manner, you should discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits in NYC
The statute of limitations sets the amount of time that a person has to file a particular type of lawsuit with a court of law. The length of time allowed for a lawsuit can vary depending on the type of case that a claimant wishes to file. For example, a personal injury lawsuit could have a different filing deadline than a lawsuit for wrongful death.
In New York, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the injury. If a plaintiff does not file their case within three years, the court has the power to bar their claim. Specifically, the defendant can move to dismiss the case. When this happens, a plaintiff may not have an opportunity to pursue compensation for their injuries.
If you are uncertain about when the statute of limitations will expire for your case, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Experienced NYC Apartment Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a family member was injured due to the negligence of an apartment landlord, consult with an experienced NYC slip and fall injury attorney. The legal team at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP possess decades of combined legal experience, and we would be honored to fight for you. Our firm understands how a serious injury can affect a victim’s life, and we are here for you in your time of need. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Law Offices of Randolph Rice at (718) 843-0300. You may also contact our firm online.