You are undoubtedly already aware of the many benefits that come with renting a home or an apartment, such not having to worry about paying for upkeep or lawn care. But what happens if you trip and fall within your rented home, and who is liable for paying your medical bills?
Keep reading to find the answers. If you believe you have a case against your landlord, contact a premises liability attorney by calling Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707.
I slipped and fell; is my landlord liable?
It varies. Negligence must be established in order for a personal injury lawsuit to be successfully pursued. Evidence must show that the property owner’s negligence directly caused the incident in the instance of falls that cause injuries on rented property.
Further, the state of the property is not sufficient to establish the property owner’s liability obligations. Instead, it must be demonstrated that the landlord knew about the dangerous circumstances or ought to have known about them.
How can I alert my landlord to a dangerous situation?
Your lease agreement should include language outlining the landlord’s obligations with regard to upkeep and addressing harmful circumstances. For instance, the majority of lease agreements permit landlords to enter a unit for an inspection so long as you, the tenant, have been given a reasonable amount of notice.
Also, the moment the renter alerts the landlord to a potential issue, the landlord becomes legally responsible.
How do I establish my landlord’s responsibility?
Keep as many records as you can. For instance, it is advised that you document your injuries by taking pictures of any bruises or cuts, taking pictures of the unsafe area as soon as you request a repair, keeping copies of all correspondence with your landlord so that a timeline can be established, keeping copies of all paperwork from doctor’s appointments and scanning them so that you have digital copies that cannot be lost.
Call an attorney if your landlord’s carelessness caused your injuries
A slip and fall mishap can easily result in catastrophic injuries, even if you do not feel the symptoms right away. Contact us at Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas if you believe your landlord is to blame for your injuries since medical costs and lost wages can quickly place you in a tight spot. You can call 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
