Renter Slip and Fall Injury Attorneys in NJ
Landlords keep their properties in different states of repair or disrepair; however, all landlords in New Jersey have a legal duty to keep their properties reasonably safe for renters and visitors. This means regularly inspecting for visible hazards, keeping the property free from hidden dangers, and otherwise taking reasonable precautions to prevent injuries tenants and their guests. Unfortunately, negligent landlords may fail to uphold these responsibilities, often resulting in serious slip and fall accidents and other injuries for unsuspecting people who are simply leasing or visiting the property. If you have been injured while renting an apartment, townhouse, or another residence in New Jersey and you believe your landlord is responsible, it is essential to understand landlord liability for slip and falls and seek knowledgeable legal counsel. Also, if you suffered slip and fall injuries from an accident while in a rental property, you should speak with an attorney about your right to sue the landlord or any other third parties. Contact our experienced team of New Jersey personal injury lawyers to discuss your potential grounds to seek compensation. Call (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation 24/7. You have rights, and we can help.
Landlord Liability for Slip and Fall Injuries in New Jersey
Under New Jersey law, the landlord of a building has a duty to repair any known hazards in the commons areas or walkways of an apartment which may cause a slip and fall for a tenant or one of the tenant’s guests. If the landlord fails to correct any known hazards and an individual is hurt as a result, the landlord may be liable for the harm caused. Landlords are typically responsible for keeping everything outside of your rented living space in a reasonably safe state of repair, free from dangerous defects, and other potential safety hazards. This includes common areas, stairways, entry and exit gates, pavement, grassy areas, and other parts of your apartment complex. Your landlord is also generally responsible for keeping fixed objects in your rented apartment in reasonably safe condition, including walls, appliances that were at the apartment when you moved in, floors, and other fixtures.
Landlord liability means that your landlord is responsible for losses from a slip and fall or other injuries caused by their failure to keep the apartment in a reasonably safe condition. Under certain circumstances, the landlord may not be liable for any injuries that occur inside of the tenants rented space, as the tenant has the majority of control over that area. However, as stated above, the landlord has a duty to ensure that all known hazards and defects are repaired in the common areas and walkways of the rented premises. They are also responsible for maintaining the building’s plumbing and other major systems that, if damaged, may result in slip and falls and other accidents.
How Unsafe Rental Property Conditions Cause Slip and Falls
There are numerous examples of how a landlord’s failure to safely maintain her or his property may cause injury. For example, if the common areas of your apartment are poorly paved, causing you to trip and injure yourself, or you fall on an unsafe walkway because snow and or ice has not been properly removed, this may be grounds for a claim.
Water is among the top causes of slip and falls in rental properties. For instance, if the landlord allows standing water to pool throughout common areas due to poor drainage system, causing you to slip, you may have a cause of action against the landlord. Or if you notify your landlord that a dishwasher or refrigerator is leaking and they are responsible for those appliances, but the landlord does not send maintenance to address the issue, this is an example of negligence. Further, if you slip on the water from the leak in your apartment and hit your head, break your wrist, or sprain your ankle, the landlord may be liable. Similarly, if the floorboards are rotted and your foot goes through the floor or you are injured when slipping and falling near the pool, you may again have a claim.
Some tenant slip and falls occur because of unsafe stairways inside of the apartment building. For instance, if a landlord fails to install banisters or railings on the stairs or if the safety rails are corroded and give way when you place weight on them, you may again have a tenant slip and fall case. Tripping and falling because the carpet in the hallway is uneven represents yet another reason to sue if this causes you to hurt yourself. Or perhaps the common areas of the apartment are poorly lit, there are light bulbs out, lighting has not been installed at appropriate intervals, or the lights in the property are otherwise unreasonably deficient. If this causes you to fall or miss a step and fall down in the stairwell, you may have a slip and fall injury for which you can recover damages.These and many more unsafe rental property conditions can give rise to slip and fall accidents and lawsuits.
Can You Sue a Landlord for Slip and Fall Injury in NJ?
You may be able to file a lawsuit if you slip and fall in an apartment building or rented residential space in New Jersey. Often, the individual who is injured in this situation is either the tenant of the apartment building or an invited guest of the tenant. As discussed above, you can likely bring a lawsuit against a negligent landlord for slip and fall injuries. A landlord will typically have an insurance policy to protect themselves if they are sued by a tenant or guest of one of the tenants at the property. Therefore, the insurance company will be the entity defending the landlord in any suit brought against the landlord for negligent acts that occur on the landlord’s premises. The landlord will still likely be involved in any lawsuit filed against them, as the landlord’s conduct is usually the basis for the suit.
It is important to note that you may have a claim against multiple parties if you are injured in a slip and fall accident on rental property. For example, you may also be able to sue the property owner’s third-party property management company and the owner of the apartment complex or other residential property for your injuries. The potentially liable parties can vary based on the specific situation and how your slip and fall injuries occurred. For this reason, you should consult an experienced lawyer to learn more about the strength of your case and potential targets for a slip and fall tenant lawsuit.
Seek Compensation for Tenant Slip and Fall in New Jersey
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing individuals who are injured in tenant slip and fall accidents and other falls on rental premises in New Jersey. We can assist you with every aspect of the legal process, from evaluating your grounds for a claim, to filing a suit, negotiating favorable settlements with insurance companies or other attorneys, and more. If you would like to speak with one of our New Jersey personal injury lawyers free of charge, call our offices at (732) 303-7857 or click on the contact us tab immediately. We represent individuals who have been hurt as a result of a slip in Freehold, Toms River, Holmdel, New Brunswick, Edison, Middletown, Eatontown, and statewide.
