Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere at any time. In most situations, the owner of the property you are visiting is at fault for your accident, according to the premises liability law. When a home or business is not kept in proper condition, a fall you take on that property is the responsibility of the owner. But what about an apartment complex? Who is responsible for the safety of its residents and any visitors?
If you have slipped and fallen at an apartment complex, you need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Jersey City law firm the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone has handled hundreds of slip and fall accident cases throughout New Jersey. Our personal injury attorney will know who is responsible for your accident and will aggressively represent you in the courtroom.
Causes of a Slip and Fall Accident in an Apartment Building
Some of the common causes of a slip and fall accident in an apartment building can be:
- Garbage
- Broken stairs or rails
- Snow accumulation on pathways
- Icy parking lots
- Debris caused by areas under construction
The Property Owner is Always Responsible
Who is at fault when you’re hurt at an apartment building? Say you are visiting a friend’s apartment, but the parking lot of his/her complex is covered in ice from a storm earlier in the day. You are cautious while walking to the door, but the ice is too slippery and causes you to fall and break your arm. Since it is, after all, your friend’s apartment, is he/she to blame?
Although the apartment complex is where he/she lives, your friend is not responsible for your slip and fall accident. Like in a commercial property, the blame lies with the property owner or manager of the complex. The owner of manager of the property has the responsibility to keep the apartment building and all parts of the complex safe for residents and their guests. These slip and fall cases can be tricky. In the example given, the storm happened earlier in the day, giving the manager enough time to make sure the parking lot and sidewalks were shoveled and salted. However, if the storm had just happened, it might become difficult for you to win your case, as the owner may have not had enough time to take care of the issue.
This can get tricky for you to win this slip and fall case on your own. That’s when you an experienced slip and fall accident attorney to help you with your case.
But does your friend have any responsibility for the accident, since it is his/her place of residence? If he/she wasn’t the one who caused the slip and fall accident, such as push you down the stairs, then no, your friend is not to blame for the slip and fall accident. Unlike a private residence, where the resident owns the property, your friend is not the owner and therefore is not responsible for keeping the area free from danger. However, if your friend witnessed your fall, they can testify on your behalf if the case should go to court.
Don’t Go to Court Alone With Your Slip and Fall Case!
Are you a victim of a slip and fall accident at an apartment building? Don’t try to file a legal claim on your own! Instead, contact Jersey City slip and fall attorney Anthony Carbone today. We’ll get you the justice that you deserve. Now serving Jersey City, Newark, and throughout New Jersey.
