Were You Injured In Your Rental Home?
When you hear the term 'slip and fall' injury, you might think about someone falling on a recently mopped floor in a grocery store or other public establishment. However, what happens when you slip and fall in your own home because your landlord can be described by another term known as a 'slumlord'? Here are some tips to help you get the compensation you deserve for being injured in an unmaintained rental home.
When Your Landlord Could Have Prevented Your Accident
Whether you live in a small apartment in the middle of the city or a large farmhouse in a rural area, if you fell and got hurt, it is essential for you to prove your landlord is negligent. If your landlord could have prevented your fall and did not, he or she can he held responsible for your medical expenses and possibly any compensation for pain and suffering as well. Most people require the aid of an experienced slip and fall attorney for proving in a court of law that their landlord's negligence is the reason you sustained an injury.
Thinking Back On Your Fall
If you were injured in your rental home due to a problem you did not report to your landlord, your landlord will probably not be held responsible for your medical bills or any other kind of compensation. For this reason, reporting any problems like leaks in the ceiling and rotting walls around the bathtub as soon as they become apparent is extremely important. Telling your landlord about any problems in a rental home gives him or her the time to arrange repairs and to carry them out. If your landlord does not make repairs and you are injured because of it, you can tell him or her you will see them in court, and then contact Putnam Lieb.
Just In Case You Were A Little Intoxicated
Maybe you tripped and fell over an uneven floorboard you have discussed with your landlord several times about repairing. However, if you tripped and fell over an uneven floorboard while drunk, you are the one responsible in a court of law if it is proven you were drinking at the time. If you were injured in a slip and fall in your home and had to go to the emergency room for treatment, whether or not you are drinking will be considered by the attending ER physician. This is especially true if you tell the doctor the reason you fell was because of your landlord's negligence. If the authorities come to the ER and ask if you were drinking at the time of your visit, the doctor needs to have evidence backing him up when he tells them yes or no.
Dealing with a serious injury can be a rough time, but more so when you are also involved in a lawsuit with your landlord over it. When looking at rental homes, taking the time to look closely is important to avoid moving into a place that has hidden dangers. Ask potential landlords for written inspections before making a final choice about moving in.
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