Ceiling Collapse

All residential and business structures are subject to ceiling collapses, leading to disastrous consequences for individuals residing in homes or visiting commercial buildings such as offices, restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets, manufacturing facilities, and construction sites.

If the ceiling collapse happened on someone else’s property, property that you were renting or visiting (like a business), you could be eligible to sue for damages. In New York, building owners have a duty of care and must take responsibility if they know that something is going wrong with their buildings, so it doesn’t harm anyone who lives there or visits frequently.

Property owners are expected to be aware of any dangerous conditions on their property and take action if needed.

Common Causes Of Ceiling Collapses

• Failure to fix leaks leading to structural damage
• Failure to repair cracks
• Skipped or badly done maintenance
• Poor building materials
• Improper construction techniques
• Water damage
• Incorrect ductwork
• Termites or other infestations

Types Of Injuries That Occur With Ceiling Collapses

Ceiling collapses often cause severe bodily injuries, resulting in significant compensation awards for victims of these types of negligence cases. Several recent ceiling collapse cases in New York caused injuries from falling debris plus exposure to mold and other harmful materials. Victims of these terrifying incidents sought legal representation from experienced ceiling collapse attorneys to obtain just compensation for their pain and suffering.

Tenants or temporary visitors often require extensive medical treatment and months of rehabilitative care. The range of injuries to adults and children living in apartments that suffer collapsed ceilings can be:

• Head and brain injuries, including Traumatic Brain Injury
• Broken bones and fractures
• Severe cuts, bruises, and more
• Paralysis and nerve damage
• Damages to discs, muscles, and tissues in the spine
• Damage to joints and their tendons, ligaments, nerves, and cartilage, especially vulnerable joints like knees, shoulders, wrists, feet, ankles and elbows

Why tenants should keep regular records of all building repair requests

Older buildings tend to have deteriorated plumbing systems that may lead to serious accidents and injuries to tenants. It’s important to immediately report potential premises liability issues, including ceiling water spots and water appearing on walls. Owners and managers of apartments must be placed on notice for these defects to be corrected appropriately. Since these requests for repairs are occasionally ignored, tenants should document their attempts to resolve these issues. Individuals should keep journals that include the dates and times they contacted the landlord in person. They should also keep records of the responses received from the individual responsible for the building maintenance. Voicemails, texts, and emails may also be collected and kept in a safe place.

Repair delays are common, and therefore any evidence of repeated requests for repair is essential in premises liability claims. Tenants should document the effects of these delays, including photos of actual defects inside and outside of the unit, videos of gradual deterioration, and any injuries and conditions to tenants and guests the defects caused.

The tenant lawyers can use this evidence to support a premises liability claim to address the accidents and injuries resulting from the landlord’s negligence. The law of premises liability requires landlords to act in a timely manner when put on notice of a defect by tenants. Repairs must be made in order to maintain the apartment completely habitable. A breach of the legal duty to maintain safe living conditions for tenants makes an owner liable for any resultant injuries.

What Should I Do After A Ceiling Collapse

•     Take pictures of the ceiling immediately afterward.
•     Seek medical attention even if you don’t feel like you’re badly hurt.
•     Take note of times when you have complained to management about a leak, crack, or other concern regarding the ceiling.
•     Contact a BigLawsuit ceiling collapse lawyer.

How Much Can I Expect From A Ceiling Injury Cases Settlement?

Recovery and settlement amounts depend on the extent of the harm you incur – as well as how long it will take for your physical injuries to heal. The doctor’s prognosis is also essential in determining what a client should expect from recovery or settlement. You may also be entitled to a significant recovery amount if you worked a high-wage job and cannot return soon. But if the hospital treated you quickly, your damage award will probably not be significant. However, your damages award will likely not be as significant if the hospital quickly treated you.

Contact A Ceiling Collapses Attorney In New York City

Our firm of premises liability attorneys is prepared for ceiling collapse lawsuits. If you’ve been hurt in a ceiling collapse, we can help. We will fight hard to win the maximum compensation available for your injuries and ensure that negligent parties are held accountable. For a free consultation and evaluation of your case, fill in our form below or call us at (800) 777-1970.