You and your family have the right to be safe where you live. That’s why your landlord has a responsibility to address hazardous conditions in a timely manner, before you or someone you love is seriously injured.
Your landlord must maintain a fit and habitable environment where you and the people you love will be safe. The failure to take reasonable steps to prevent an accident is inexcusable. You may want to seek the advice of an experienced premises liability attorney to pursue compensation if you were injured due to a hazardous issue that should have been corrected.
Was the Accident Foreseeable?
When an accident occurs on a rental property, the first question to ask is: How foreseeable was the accident? For example, snow and other types of harsh weather happen every year in Colorado. Your landlord should be aware of all the stairs and walkways on their property that are exposed to the elements and subject to becoming wet, icy, or slippery. And every landlord should make sure these hazardous conditions are addressed quickly after a storm.
The second question we need to consider is: What is the likelihood of danger for tenants if the problem isn’t addressed in a reasonable amount of time? For example, if a stairway has a loose handrail, it’s very likely that this will lead to a serious injury.
The third question that we need to address is: What is the cost and feasibility of preventing danger? If there is an unmarked step near the clubhouse, the effort and expense of painting a bright red stripe would be negligible. But it is likely to prevent a fall that could be devastating.
Accident Caused by Negligent Landlords
It is your landlord’s responsibility to regularly inspect their property for potential hazards. They should also seek feedback from tenants and about dangerous conditions. Any of the following types of hazards must be fixed in a reasonable amount of time:
- A leaking water heater that might cause a fall
- Obstacles on a sidewalk, walkway, or staircase that could lead to a fall
- Unmarked stairway risers
- Loose or improperly set stepping-stones
- Potholes
- Leaking and poorly placed gutters
- Toxic leaks and hazardous fumes
- Leaky ceilings that create a slip and fall risk
- Loose, damaged, or insufficiently deep stairway steps
- Unstable floorboards that may cause a person to trip and fall
- Poor wiring that leads to electrical fires and burns
- Exposed rebar, nails, screws, or sharp objects that may cause an injury or a fall when stepped on
What to Do After an Injury
If you or a loved one has been injured by an accident caused by your landlord’s negligent refusal to fix dangerous conditions, you will want to seek medical care right away. During your recovery, make sure to follow all your doctor’s recommendations, and keep records for all medical costs, including ambulance care, surgery, hospital and doctor’s office visits, and rehabilitation.
You will want to collect as much evidence as you can about the accident. Use your cell phone camera to record pictures of the accident scene and the hazardous condition that led to the incident. Save records of any letters you sent to your landlord about the problem and their responses.
When you get a chance, write down your recollections about what happened during the accident and how it affected you. Collect the names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident or the hazardous conditions that caused the incident.
Legal Experience You Can Rely On
Landlords must provide a safe place for people to live. The Colorado Springs premises liability attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. will help you recover fair compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a preventable accident.
Contact The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. to learn more today by calling (719) 475-2555 and schedule a FREE consultation. We’re here to help.