Did You Know That Code Violations Might Help win Your Premises Liability Accident?
Building codes come in all shapes and sizes. Many are required to be followed like city and state building codes.
Others are suggested "guidelines" like those promulgated by safety organizations like ASTM or ANSI.
But all of them can be used in a situation like yours to help establish non-compliance was a fault or "negligence" on the part of the landowner or business in causing or contributing to the cause of your slip and fall or trip and fall case in Indiana.
Code violations are one way to illustrate the fault of a property owner or manager that led to your accident and resulting injuries. While you've probably heard the phrase, 'it was not up to code' before, you might not understand who defines that code, what the code is, and who is responsible for maintaining appropriate coding of a building.
A slip and fall case might rely on code violations, so a person who’s been hurt in an accident should get help immediately to figure out whether this was a primary cause.
What You Need to Know About Code Violations
State and federal governments, in addition to municipalities, mandate that buildings have to be maintained as well as constructed at a certain level of safety. These include hospitals, department stores, office buildings, grocery stores, hotels, and many other types of businesses, and these buildings must be free from hazardous conditions. Those who were hurt on a property that has hazardous conditions can pursue a premises liability lawsuit. You might be able to identify potentially dangerous code violations that could be factored into the recovery of compensation. These include inappropriate lighting by curbs and stairs, uneven curbs that don't have the right warning, crumbling steps or rotten wooden stairs, stairs with missing or broken handrails, improper maintenance of elevators and escalators, down spots that create ice patches because of pooled water, and lack of slip-resistant mats on slick surfaces.
Renting an apartment or a home means that a management company or a landlord has to manage the property's upkeep. Your lease agreement should clarify who is responsible for ensuring that the apartment is safe. The following code violations, however, may detail how dangerous slip and fall accidents at rental properties may be linked to legal claims. These include uneven curbs, warped or broken stairs, lack of lighting in stairwells, unmarked construction areas, slick surfaces without warning signs, untreated ice and snow, and more. You will likely need a free consultation with an experienced premises liability lawyer if you've already been hurt in an accident.
This is because this is the best way for you to uncover some of the most common issues that occur in premises liability accidents and whether or not the injuries you have sustained qualify you to fight for compensation. Be aware that as soon as you initiate a slip and fall case, you may be contacted by the other party's insurance company as they suggest a settlement offer.
It might be a mistake to accept a settlement offer outright without first consulting with an attorney. A settlement offer might not fully compensate you for the injuries you have suffered from and without an attorney to advise you about the lifelong medical costs you might face, you may exclude yourself from getting the support that you truly need from a dedicated and caring lawyer.
Don't wait to get help from an injury attorney if you've already been hurt on someone else's property. Building codes are a strong method to illustrate fault and negligence.
Call or Text Shaw Law at (260) 777-7777 today and get Attorney Jeff "JJ" Shaw working on your case within 10 minutes. From the comfort of your own home.
We Get You Back on Your Feet.