When you rent an apartment, you are entrusting that your landlord will uphold their legal duty to maintain a safe property to prevent serious accidents and injuries from occurring. Unfortunately, more often than not, tenants’ trust is broken as a result of negligence. When injured in your home, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure whether your landlord is liable for your injuries. Continue to follow along to learn when a landlord can be held liable for an injury and discover how a trusted New York City Apartment Accidents Lawyer can help you hold them accountable.
When is my landlord responsible for my injury in New York?
If you have suffered an injury as a result of your landlord’s negligence, you will be required to fulfill the burden of proof. Essentially, this means that you must prove your landlord’s negligent actions directly caused your injuries. Your landlord is responsible when they knew or should have reasonably known about the hazardous condition, failed to fix the dangerous conditions promptly, and you were injured as a result. Legally, landlords are required to maintain a safe environment for their tenants.
What should I do if I’m injured?
Following an accident, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention. An ambulance will be dispatched to your location and you will be transported to a nearby hospital as soon as you call 911. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is imperative to have your injuries assessed and treated by a medical professional. Additionally, it is crucial to listen to medical advice and follow a treatment plan. If you decide to pursue legal action, your landlord will have an opportunity to defend themselves against your claim in court. Therefore, they may use different defenses including arguing that you contributed to the severity of your injuries by not following the doctor’s orders. Moreover, to prove the extent and severity of your injuries, you should keep track of all pertinent medical records and expenses.
From here, if possible, you should capture evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes capturing photos of any hazardous conditions. It is important to preserve evidence of the unattended hazardous conditions that caused your injuries such as a broken step in a staircase. Additionally, you should gather contact information from any witnesses. They can significantly benefit your case as they can help corroborate your claim. It is also important to notify the appropriate parties of the accident, in this case, alerting your landlord of the incident. Finally, you should acquire appropriate legal representation. It is in your best interest to hire a skilled New York City apartment accident lawyer who can help you hold your landlord accountable for their negligent actions.
For more information on what steps you can take after an accident to maximize your chances of recovering monetary compensation for your damages, contact one of our seasoned team members. Our firm is committed to helping our clients get the justice they deserve.
