Apartment owners and managers are responsible for keeping the building and the property safe for everyone who is there, including tenants, guests, visitors, and employees. This usually means fixing dangerous conditions, providing proper fire safety, and making sure there is reasonable security.
Sadly, some rental properties are not kept safe, and this is often because the owner failed to take proper care of the property.
If you were hurt on an apartment property, you should speak with a lawyer who has experience handling apartment building injury cases in Chicago. A skilled Chicago apartment injury lawyer from Fabbrini Law Group can explain your legal options, help you seek compensation for your injuries, and work to hold the landlord responsible.
Common Causes of Apartment Accidents
The apartment owner, landlord, and property manager have a legal duty to keep people safe on the property, both inside the building and outside. This means they must take reasonable steps to fix or prevent dangerous conditions that could hurt someone.
If they fail to do this and someone is injured as a result, it may be considered negligence.
One of the most common reasons people get hurt at apartment complexes is unsafe conditions. This can include things like liquid spills on the floor, broken stairs, loose ceiling fixtures that could fall, or exposed electrical wires that could cause a shock.
Dangers can also be outside, such as holes in the ground or rusted gates with sharp edges.
Apartment owners meet their legal duty by cleaning up spills and repairing broken or loose items so the property is safe.
Safety Measures
A flat owner is also responsible for making sure that people are safe from burns and smoke inhalation by following the right fire safety rules. Smoke detectors, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers that are easy to get to are some of the things that could be done. In case of a fire, the building should also have enough exits.
In some cases, the apartment complex must make sure that its tenants are safe from violent crimes like robbery or sexual assault. To keep people who shouldn’t be there from getting into the building, landlords should make sure that the locks and doors work and put up security cameras to watch the hallways and entrances. Regular security patrols may even be needed. If the crime could have been stopped by better security, the victims may be able to sue the flat owner.
But it is hard to prove that the owner or manager was careless, and they will say that they did everything they could to avoid problems. A seasoned Chicago lawyer could help people who were hurt in an apartment complex build a case against the owner and get money for their injuries.
What Compensation Is Available in a Chicago Apartment Accident?
An apartment accident is a kind of personal injury that happens on someone else’s property. The flat owner could pay the person who was hurt money and other damages. Economic damages are the costs that can be measured that come from the injuries that occurred in the accident.
Non-economic damages are harder to measure because they do not come with a clear dollar amount. These damages can include pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress, especially if the person was the victim of a violent crime.
It’s not as easy as just asking for a certain amount of money from the owner of a flat. You need to have proof to back up your claim.
After a flat accident, a skilled Chicago lawyer can help you get the evidence you need, build a strong case, and get all the money you may be owed.
Talk to a Chicago Apartment Injury Lawyer About Your Claim
Landlords are legally required to keep their property safe for people who live there and people who visit. Unfortunately, a lot of people get hurt in Chicago apartment buildings because the owners don’t fix dangerous situations.
If you have been hurt, speak with a dedicated lawyer at Fabbrini Law Group to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.
If you were hurt at an apartment building in Chicago, a Chicago apartment accident lawyer at Fabbrini Law Group can review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand your next steps. Call (312) 494-3131 today or reach out online to schedule a private consultation.