Slip and falls can happen anywhere at any time of the year. In the majority of these cases, when you slip, trip and fall on a commercial property, the property owner or entity may be responsible for the fall. Since that person or entity failed to keep the area safe for its visitors, according to New Jersey’s premises liability law, they are the reason you had fallen. But what about an apartment complex or building? Who is responsible for the safety of its residents and any visitors?
It can be a very complicated matter. An accident on private property differs from a commercial property. However, if you live in a multi-family property, such as an apartment complex, slip and fall cases are similar to that of a commercial property. If you slip and fall at an apartment complex or building, it’s best to speak with an experienced Jersey City slip and fall attorney. The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone has handled hundreds of slip and fall accident cases throughout New Jersey. Our personal injury lawyer will know who is responsible for your accident and will aggressively represent you in the courtroom.
Causes of a Slip and Fall at a New Jersey Apartment Complex
Although we think of snow and ice as the number one reason for a slip and fall accident, there can be various other reasons why you had an accident. Some of the common causes of a slip and fall accident at an apartment building can be:
- Garbage
- Broken stairs or rails
- Snow accumulation on pathways
- Icy parking lots
- Debris caused by areas under construction
The Property Owner is Always Responsible
Who is to blame for your slip and fall at a Jersey City apartment building? It’s important to note that the apartment tenant is not to blame for the accident, but the property owner and/or the person who is responsible for taking care of the property. For example, you are a paying a visit to a friend at his/her apartment complex. As you leave, you notice the parking lot has become very slippery after a storm earlier in the day. Despite moving cautiously, you slip on a patch of black ice, causing you to fall and break your leg. Who is responsible? Is it your friend or someone else?
Although the apartment complex is where your friend calls home, he/she is not responsible for your slip and fall accident. Like in a commercial property, the fault lies with the property owner or manager of the complex. It is the responsibility of the owner and the manager to keep the apartment complex free from danger. In the example above, the storm had happened earlier in the day. This should have given the manager plenty of time to clear the parking lot. However, if the storm had just happened, the manager might not have known about the parking lot just yet. This can get tricky for you to win this slip and fall case on your own. That’s when you an experienced New Jersey slip and fall accident lawyer to help you with your case.
But does your friend have any responsibility for the accident, since it is his/her place of residence? If he/she wasn’t the one who caused the slip and fall, such as push you down the stairs, then no, your friend holds no responsibility. Unlike a private residence, where the resident owns the property, your friend is not the owner and therefore is not responsible for keeping the area free from danger. However, your friend may have seen the accident and then can be called as a witness on your behalf in court.
Don’t Go to Court Alone With Your NJ Slip and Fall Case!
Are you a victim of a slip and fall accident at an apartment building? Don’t try to file a legal claim on your own! Instead, contact Jersey City slip and fall attorney Anthony Carbone today. We’ll get you the justice that you deserve. Now serving Jersey City, Newark, and throughout New Jersey.
