Landlords are obligated to maintain safe premises for tenants. This includes taking reasonable measures to prevent slip and fall accidents. As a tenant, or occupier, of a property, you also have certain responsibilities, which can make premises liability cases against a landlord complex.

The slip and fall lawyers at the Law Offices of Gary Bruce can help you stand up for your rights and recover compensation for injuries suffered as a result of landlord negligence. We will conduct investigations, gather evidence, manage deadlines and paperwork, and negotiate with the insurance company, allowing you to focus on healing from your injuries.

Landlord’s Duty to the Tenant

Landlords in Georgia and Alabama owe tenants a duty to provide safe and sanitary living conditions. According to the Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook, landlords are responsible for upkeep of:

  • Building structure
  • Heating, plumbing, and electric systems
  • Security features, such as parking lot lighting

Depending on the lease, the landlord may or may not be liable for fences, appliances, or air conditioning as well.

The Alabama Tenants’ Handbook details the landlord’s duty to:

  • Keep the building up to code
  • Maintain heating, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, and air conditioning systems

Do I have a Premises Liability Case Against my Landlord?

A consultation with one of our premises liability attorneys is the best way to determine if you have a case.  In general, if your injury was caused by your landlord’s failure to uphold his obligation to maintain safe premises, you may have a case. Some basic elements to be considered include:

  • Notice – As a tenant, you have to provide written notice to your landlord when a repair is needed. You should give notice right away and maintain a copy of the notice for your records.
     
  • Failure to act – If you provided notice of a needed repair and your landlord failed to make the repair in a reasonable time, resulting in your injury, you may have a premises liability case. Similarly, if a needed repair was noted at the time you signed the lease and your landlord neglected to repair the unsafe condition, resulting in an injury, you may have a case.
     
  • Cause of the hazardous condition – Landlords may not be held liable if you caused the hazardous condition. For instance, if you spill water on your kitchen floor and slip, you may not have a case. However, if the building has a water leak due to a known structural problem, and you slip and fall at the site of the leak, the landlord may be held liable.
     
  • Severity of your injury – A small scrape or bruise that resolves without medical treatment is quite different from a catastrophic injury, such as a brain injury or lost limb. Severe injuries can result in costly medical care, rehabilitation, modifications to your home, and lost wages. However, some injuries that seem mild at first can worsen, so be sure to seek medical attention if you are injured, and contact us for a free case review.
     
  • Is the landlord “in possession” of the property – If the landlord is involved with the property day-to-day, such as living on the property, he or she may be held to a higher duty of care.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

The team at the Law Offices of Gary Bruce is passionate about helping slip and fall accident victims get back on their feet. We have served the communities of Columbus, Ft Moore (formerly Ft Benning), and Phenix City for decades and take pride in seeing our clients recover the compensation they deserve.

Call 706-786-4517 to schedule your free consultation. We will work with you to arrange a convenient time and place to meet if your injuries make it too difficult for you to come to our office.