When walking to your apartment, you assume that your landlord has ensured the property is safe and secured. However, this isn’t always the case. If you’re the victim of an apartment accident resulting in injuries, you may not know you can receive financial compensation if your landlord’s negligence is to blame. Though you may feel at a loss, you can get help from a Middlesex County slip and fall accident attorney to assist in your legal battle.
What Are the Most Common Factors That Cause an Apartment Accident?
When injured at your apartment or rental property, you may be eligible for financial compensation. However, this depends on whether or not your landlord’s negligence was the cause of the accident. Generally, the most common causes of apartment accidents include but are not limited to the following:
- Slips and falls as a result of failure to fix unsafe stairwells or to remove snow and ice from sidewalks and walkways on the property
- Defective or broken smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
- Untreated mold or asbestos
If you sustain an injury as a result of one of these factors, you may be eligible to sue your landlord for financial compensation. However, it must be proven that your landlord failed to complete their duties as a property owner, leading you to become injured as a direct result of their negligence.
What Steps Should I Take After I’ve Been Injured?
If you’re injured in an apartment accident, how you respond to the event is crucial. Depending on the type of injury, you will want to call 911. This is especially true for slip and fall cases caused by the landlord’s failure to remove snow or neglect to fix broken features like handrails or staircases.
By calling 911, you’ll receive the necessary medical attention for injuries you have sustained. If the injuries do not warrant emergency services, you will still want to visit your doctor to obtain a report of your injuries. After you’ve called emergency services, you’ll want to ensure you gather the necessary evidence to help compile a case. This includes taking photos or videos of the conditions that lead to your injury. You should also collect the information of anyone in the vicinity who witnessed your accident and contact neighbors with video doorbells or security cameras, as this can help prove your case.
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps immediately following your accident, you’ll want to find a reputable attorney to represent you. This guarantees that you have a knowledgeable professional on the case to help fight for the justice you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Case?
In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. This means you shouldn’t wait to act in order to get the justice you deserve. Failure to file a claim within two years relinquishes your right to seek justice for this event. Don’t wait to reach out to our Middlesex County, New Jersey office today. Our legal team can help fight for the justice you deserve.
