Understandably, when you sign a lease, you are putting a significant amount of trust in your landlord. You have a reasonable expectation to assume that they will uphold their legal duty and maintain safe premises to prevent serious accidents and injuries. Unfortunately, due to negligence trust is often broken. Landlords sometimes fail to maintain a safe property for their tenants and guests which results in serious injuries. If you have been injured as a result of your landlord’s negligent actions, please contact a determined Washington, D.C. Premises Liability Lawyer who can help you hold them accountable. In addition, keep reading to discover when a landlord can be held liable for an injury.
Can my landlord be held responsible for my injury?
In the District of Columbia, a landlord can be held liable for injuries sustained on their property as they are responsible for ensuring their tenants’ safety. If any hazardous conditions pose a threat to the safety and well-being of their tenants, they must attend to them promptly. If they fail to fix the dangerous conditions promptly, they can be held responsible for any injuries that occur as a result of their negligence. Apartment accidents can occur as a result of several hazards. However, the most common include:
- Insufficient lighting
- Inadequate security
- Mold or asbestos
- Unsafe stairwells
- Defective smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Dangerous parking lots
- Wet and uneven floor surfaces
- Dangerous apartment pool decks
What should I do if I’m injured?
Following an injury, the first thing you should do is call 911. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries may not be visible or have delayed effects. Untreated, they can become worse and even turn life-threatening ins some cases. Once you have received proper medical care, it is crucial to keep track of all pertinent medical records that corroborate the extent and severity of your injuries. Additionally, it is imperative to follow medical advice and a treatment plan for recovery. If you fail to follow the doctor’s orders, the defendant may use that as a defense to dispute your claim.
Moreover, you should capture pictures of the scene of the accident. For example, if you were walking up the staircase and there was a hole in one of the stairs, causing you to slip and fall, the landlord would be responsible. They are therefore negligent because they failed to remedy hazardous conditions to maintain safe premises for their tenants. Further, you should collect any witnesses’ contact information as they can corroborate your claim. Finally, after receiving proper medical care, it is in your best interest to retain the legal services of a skilled Washington, D.C. premises liability lawyer who can help you fulfill the burden of proof.
For more information on premises liability cases, please contact one of our adept and proficient team members. Our firm will work tirelessly to help you seek reasonable compensation for your damages.
