Important Steps To Take After A Rental Ceiling Collapse
Posted on April 4, 2022 in Premises Liability
Naturally, as a renter, you trust your landlord to maintain the structural integrity and facilities regularly and ensure that they stand up to the test of time. Of course, the last thing that anyone expects to happen is for their ceiling to collapse. After all, we all want our home to be a safe and private place where we can let our guard down. But unfortunately, many reasons contribute to a ceiling collapse, and there isn’t a definite way to tell the actual cause of the breakdown, and your landlord could be responsible. However, what should you do if your rental ceiling comes crashing down?
Collect Evidence of the Incident Aftermath
After checking if you have sustained any injuries, you should start documenting and recording everything that occurred leading up to and after the incident. This includes making videos and photos of your injuries, surroundings, and property damages. Additionally, you must keep copies of medical bills and invoices documenting the injuries treatment you have undergone. These will be key in helping your lawyer estimate the amount of compensation you deserve. Finally, if you have recently just moved into your new rental property, be sure to take pictures to prove your property’s initial condition.
Provide the Records of Maintenance Work
The next step you should take if this scenario occurs is finding any documentation or history of maintenance works and repairs in the period you have been occupying your rental home. This is critical in establishing if there were any preventative measures that the landlord could have taken.
Additionally, it is also a good idea to record any correspondence between you and the landlord, especially if you have reported an issue to them, such as water spots, stains, or leaks. This can prove whether they have performed their responsibilities and if you are entitled to compensation for the damages.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Regardless of whether you have sustained serious injuries or not, seek medical attention from the nearest medical facility or centers immediately. Many bruises and injuries can form 48 hours after the incident, and you could breathe in toxic gases, dust, mold, or debris due to the ceiling collapse. To ensure that you are safe and healthy, seeking medical treatment immediately should be your utmost priority after getting out safely from the incident site. This cost would also be covered in your compensation and premises liability claims.
Contact a Premises Liability Attorney As Soon As Possible
Finally, after collecting all the evidence, documentation, and records you require, it is time to contact and consult with a Premises Liability Attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for the physical and emotional damages you have experienced. Many reasons can contribute to your rental ceiling collapsing. Therefore, it is important to have appropriate and sufficient documentation to prove who might be responsible for the incident occurring – be your landlord, property management company, or the maintenance workers. While it is an arduous and challenging process, a Premises Liability Attorney from Pazer, Epstein, Jaffe & Fein, P.C can work with you to make it much easier.
Looking for a trusted personal injury lawyer in New York? Call our New York number: (212) 847-5007 or Long Island number: (718) 954-9986 to schedule a free consultation with us today.