All types of unsafe conditions can cause an accident and injuries in an apartment building or on a rental property. Some of the clearest dangers are building code violations, which is why landlords are supposed to make sure that they are keeping their properties up to code. When they don’t make an effort to address dangerous code violations, they should be held liable when someone gets hurt. If you were injured on someone else’s property, a Monmouth County apartment accident lawyer may be able to help you secure compensation.
What Kinds of Building Code Violations Can Cause Injuries?
Plenty of building code violations can cause accidents and injuries. Some problems are obvious, like a crumbling stairway that’s unsafe to traverse, but other problems, like a lack of fire exits, might only be obvious to tenants and guests in an emergency situation. Some issues that landlords should be addressing include:
- Structural issues
- Faulty electrical wiring
- A lack of carbon monoxide detectors
- Broken stairs or banisters
- Blocked fire exits or a lack of signage
- Mold or pest issues
What If My Landlord Knew About the Dangerous Building Code Violations?
Now if you get hurt in an apartment building and it’s clear that the landlord knew about building code violations, that’s a problem for them. A property owner owes guests a “duty of care.” This essentially means that by inviting people in, someone is promising that their property is safe.
If a landlord knew about code violations and did nothing, they should be held liable when someone gets hurt. If there’s a clear history of building code violations on the property, that can bolster your case.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Sue For After Building Code Violations Cause an Accident?
You may be able to sue for both economic and non-economic damages after getting hurt on a rental property. Economic damages address the monetary costs of an accident, things like:
- The cost of past and future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
A fair compensation offer also includes non-economic damages though. These address the things that are harder to quantify, like:
- Mental anguish
- Psychological trauma
- Pain and suffering
These can be harder to assign a dollar value to, but the psychic and emotional toll that your accident and injuries continue to take on you matters. That should affect the calculations for compensation.
How Long Do I Have to Sue For Damages?
When you get hurt on someone else’s property, you do not have unlimited time to pursue damages. In most cases, you have two years to pursue damages in New Jersey. We recommend acting quickly for this reason.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you got injured on someone else’s property due to building code violations, you should talk to an attorney. Contact Falcon Law Firm and ask to schedule a free consultation with our premises liability lawyers. We want to learn more about your case and help you with your pursuit of compensation.
