When you get hurt due to an unsafe situation in an apartment building, the landlord of that property can often be held liable for your injuries. If you got hurt because of specific building code violations, that may strengthen your case. A Prince George’s County slip and fall lawyer from our firm can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Can I Sue If Building Code Violations Cause an Injury?
You can sue if you get injured on someone else’s property. Getting hurt due to building code violations can certainly serve as a basis for a personal injury claim. A landlord has a duty to keep their property safe for tenants and guests. Someone who does not try to keep their building up to code should be held accountable when someone gets hurt.
Building code violations can cause all kinds of serious injuries. Structural issues can lead to collapses. Broken stairways and walkways can cause falls and broken bones or head trauma. A negligent landlord could even allow faulty wiring to cause electrical shocks or fires if they do not focus on staying up to code.
Can Building Code Violations Be Proof of Liability?
When you get hurt due to a code violation, you usually still have to show that a landlord knew about the hazard and that they did not make an effort to fix it. However, even if it’s hard to show that the landlord knew about the specific code violation that caused you harm, you can argue that the landlord has a duty to perform inspections and look for safety hazards. A property owner who does not prioritize this could be seen as negligent.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Sue For?
When you sue for damages, you can recover compensation that helps make up for the costs of the accident and the pain you suffered as a result. A fair offer should reimburse you for things like:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
In some cases, you may even be able to pursue punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you. Instead, they are meant to punish the defendant for particularly dangerous or negligent behavior.
One potential complication is that the landlord’s insurance may not cover them if it turns out that building code violations caused an accident and injuries. This can mean that you need to sue a landlord directly instead of going after their insurance policy. Whether that complicates your pursuit of compensation can depend on the specific circumstances of your case, which is why it’s important to talk to an attorney.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you got hurt in an apartment building and you believe that a negligent landlord was to blame, we want to hear about it. Contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. and ask to schedule a case consultation with our team. We can tell you more about your legal options.
