Who Is Responsible for a Slip and Fall in a Apartment Complex?

Though no one expects to sustain a serious injury while simply walking to their apartment, accidents do happen. Unfortunately, when it comes to apartment complex slip and falls, they are often preventable and a result of landlord negligence. That said, establishing liability for an apartment complex slip and fall is not always straightforward. Read on and contact our dedicated Irvine slip and fall lawyers to learn more about these accidents and how our legal team can help assist you.

How Do Apartment Complex Slip and Falls Happen?

There are many ways in which someone can slip and fall due to the negligence of another party while in their apartment complex.

Most commonly, slips and falls can occur because of hazards on the ground. This can include loose wiring that has not been secured, broken tiles or floorboards, loose carpeting, uncleared weather-related hazards on sidewalks and walkways, water accumulation, or garbage left on the floor.

Injuries also frequently occur because of unsafe stairwells. If these fixtures are not up to code, those walking up or down stairs can slip and fall. For example, if the tread or risers are not up to local code, making them too steep, there is no functioning handrail, or there is inadequate lighting, someone can easily slip down the stairs.

Who Can Face Liability for Apartment Complex Injuries?

In some cases, the landlord or property manager may assume liability for damages sustained. This is because it is their responsibility to ensure the building is maintained and free of hazards. However, they are generally only liable for slips and falls in common areas of the complex, like lobbies, amenities, outdoor properties, and hallways.

That said, in some instances, the landlord may be liable for injuries sustained in a rental unit, such as when a tenant alerted them to an issue, but the landlord failed to remedy the hazard in a reasonable time.

It is important to understand there is generally a time frame for which someone can be held liable for an accident. For example, if a pipe bursts in the lobby and minutes after someone slips and falls, the landlord likely would not be responsible. This is because it is unrealistic to expect them to become aware of the situation and take steps to remedy the hazard, especially if they are not on the property at the time of the incident.

Ultimately, regardless of the circumstances of your accident, if you believe you may have a valid claim, you should strongly consider hiring a competent personal injury lawyer to represent you.

At California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC, we are dedicated to helping injury victims fight for the compensation they need to get back on their feet again. Contact us today.