When you get hurt in an apartment building or home, the landlord could be liable. Landlords are often in charge of handling repairs and making sure that the property is safe. One thing that they should certainly be in charge of is addressing building code violations. If you got hurt due to one of these violations, you may be owed compensation. A Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer can help you learn more about your legal options.
What Are Some Building Code Violations That Can Cause Injuries?
There are plenty of building code violations that can injure tenants or guests. Some common problems include:
Faulty electrical wiring: Someone could easily get shocked by bad wiring. This violation can also lead to fires, which can destroy property, take lives, and cause serious injuries.
Dangerous stairs and walkways: Stairwells and walkways that are not well-maintained can be the cause of falls and injuries.
Lack of fire exits: There need to be fire exits and the route to them should be clear. A lack of fire exits or exit doors that require a key to unlock could be building code violations.
Structural problems: If a landlord does not take proper care of their building, structural problems could cause collapses, falls, and serious injuries.
Poor accessibility: The building should be accessible to people with disabilities. If a disabled person gets hurt because the building does not meet ADA standards, that can result in a lawsuit.
Is My Landlord Automatically Liable For Building Code Violations?
Unless a lease says differently, a landlord is responsible for keeping the building up to code. That’s not up to tenants. So if any code violations lead to an incident and someone gets harmed, that’s going to be on the landlord.
What is the Warranty of Habitability?
When you rent an apartment, the assumption is that the landlord is offering you a “warranty of habitability.” That essentially means that your residence is safe and liveable. Your landlord should be keeping the building up to code as a part of their promise to provide you with a safe place to live.
What Damages Can I Win After Building Code Violations Cause Injuries?
When building code violations cause injuries, the landlord can often be sued for damages. Compensation can help make up for:
- Medical expenses
- Missed work and lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain from disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
If you can show that the landlord knew about building code violations and did nothing, that can make them liable for your injuries. Finding out if there’s a history of ignoring code violations and other safety hazards can also strengthen your case.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
When you are ready to sue for damages, we are ready to assist you. Contact the Mathis Law Firm and ask to schedule a consultation with our team. We can tell you more about what our attorneys can do to help you fight for the compensation that you deserve.
