There are many people in the state of Pennsylvania who choose to rent apartments from a landlord. In doing so, it is important to know that is part of the landlord’s job to ensure these buildings are up to acceptable living standards. If they fail to take care of the property, it can result in a serious accident that has the potential to cause life-changing injuries. If you were involved in an apartment accident and are seeking financial compensation to cover the damages, it is important to retain the services of an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney to assist your case.
Causes of Apartment Accidents
There are various ways that an apartment accident can happen that is due to the negligence of a landlord. If the grounds are not properly looked after, certain hazards can arise over time that pose a threat to those who live in the apartment complex. This can include inadequate lighting, damaged or uneven flooring, unstable balconies, broken stairs or handrails, mold/asbestos, defective smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, unsafe pools, and poor weather conditions.
Pursuing Legal Action Against a Landlord
When the victim of an apartment accident wants to hold their landlord liable for negligence, they must file a personal injury claim. In doing so, they are required to prove negligence by showing that they were injured as a direct result of the landlord’s failure to provide them with the proper standard of care. This can be done by showing that the landlord knew, or should have reasonably known about the safety hazard present and failed to address it. Evidence that can be helpful in court to prove your claim can include pictures or video of the hazard that caused the accident, witness statements to back up your story, medical documents regarding the injuries, a police report of the incident, and more.
How Long do I Have to Sue a Landlord?
After an apartment accident, injured parties only have a certain amount of time to take legal action against a negligent landlord. In the state of Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury to file. If the injured party fails to meet this deadline, they will most likely be denied their right to pursue legal action and the financial compensation they desire. It is important to not let this happen and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form