Slip and fall accidents are among the most common source of personal injury in the Ocala, Florida area. Many slip and fall accidents are caused by the carelessness of property owners, including those who own residential apartment complexes. Common areas such as building lobbies, stairwells, exercise rooms, elevators, and hallways are the responsibility of the landlord to maintain. Consequently, when accidents causing injury occur in these areas, residents and visitors who are injured can often sustain a legal claim against the property owner to recover for any damages they incur.
Common Hazards that can Cause Slip and Fall Accidents in Apartment Buildings
Apartment buildings can range in size and character from duplexes that only have outdoor common areas to large multi-unit complexes that have extensive amenities for residents to enjoy. The kinds of hazards that may exist depend on the type of property at issue as well as the area of the building in which a person happens to be. Some of the more common kinds of slip or fall hazards that often cause injury in Ocala apartment buildings include the following:
· Inadequate lighting
· Uneven stairs · Exposed wiring · Cracked flooring · Debris in walkways · Deteriorating pavement
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· Liquid spills
· Open holes in flooring · Unfinished maintenance work · Uneven exercise area flooring · Pool deck deterioration · Broken stairwells railings · Torn carpet |
Whether the existence of these or any other dangerous conditions in an apartment can justify a legal claim depends on a variety of factors, including the length of time the hazard existed or whether adequate warning was provided. For this reason, anyone injured in a slip and fall accident in an Ocala apartment should have his or her case reviewed by an lawyer.
What To Do After A Slip And Fall Accident
Individuals who are hurt in a slip and fall accident should try and document as much information about the accident as possible if they are physically able. The kinds of facts of which to make note include the area of the building in which the accident occurred, the hazard that you believe caused your fall, the length of time the hazard has existed, and whether anyone else observed your accident. In addition, victims of slip and fall accidents should take photographs of the area in which the accident took place if possible. Finally, victims should be certain to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident takes place.
Contact an Ocala Personal Injury Lawyer Today to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Case
Apartment residents who sustain an injury in a slip and fall accident that takes place in a common area or directly outside of the building may be able to recover compensation from their landlord. Ocala personal injury lawyer John Piccin is qualified to help people injured in a wide variety of preventable accidents and works hard to ensure that his clients receive the compensation to which they are entitled. To schedule a free consultation with Mr. Piccin, call our office today at 352-558-8480.