Many people choose to rent in apartment buildings due to the conveniences that come along with it. Apartments save their residents from many of the hassles of home owning, such as yard care and maintenance. Under the legal principal of premises liability, the owners of apartment buildings are also expected to properly maintain the property in order to protect the residents and their visitors. When the property owners fail in this responsibility, and this failure leads to injury, the victims of these injuries may be able to seek compensation from the property owners under premises liability law.
There are many types of premises liability cases, but the biggest ones that apply to apartment complexes are:
- Slip and fall cases
- Inadequate maintenance
- Defective conditions
- Inadequate security
- Swimming pool accidents
- Fires
- Faulty pipes
This is in no way an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of what kind of cases can fall under premises liability. Generally speaking, property owners simply have a duty of care to the tenants of their property to do what they can to keep them safe. This does not only mean mopping up wet areas and eliminating tripping hazards. Many apartment buildings offer security features to their tenants, and once these features are offered there is an expectation that they will be maintained. If an assault or robbery occurs with a tenant as a victim, then this is inadequate security and can also be the foundation for a premises liability case.
It is important to note that a successful premises liability case requires actual, quantifiable injury. Premises liability does not apply simply because a condition was dangerous or because the staff of the apartment complex refused to address the issue.
In practice, premises liability is a very complex legal subject with laws that vary based on the state and city you live in. In order to build a successful premises liability case against your apartment complex, you will need the help of an attorney with skill and experience in premises liability. A premises liability attorney Dekalb County GA trusts will be able to apply the law to your situation and determine what legal path would be best for you to follow. Most apartment buildings will have deep pockets, and will be able to build a strong defense to fight your claim. In order for you to get the compensation that you know you deserve, you need the very best legal council that is available to you.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into premises liability at apartment buildings.