Apartment Complex Liability: Landlord Responsibilities in Wisconsin
Find Out What Happens When You’re Injured in an Apartment.
An apartment landlord’s primary responsibility is maintaining a safe and secure property for tenants. They should protect occupants from all hazards, including slippery surfaces, pests, broken-down equipment, and criminal activity.
People get hurt when landlords fail to take proactive measures against risks or simply ignore problems. Injuries due to unsafe properties often lead to high medical bills, lost paychecks, and other life-altering issues.
In this blog, we take a closer look into apartment complex liability, show you how to file a personal injury claim, and explain how an Appleton premises liability lawyer can help you with your case.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability holds apartment owners responsible for injuries or accidents that occur on their properties due to unsafe conditions or negligence.
Liability places a duty of care on property owners to maintain safe conditions for all occupants, including tenants and visitors. Under general premises liability guidelines, the property owner is financially responsible if you’re injured due to a dangerous condition, and your attorney can prove willful negligence.
Landlord Responsibilities for Maintaining a Safe Apartment
The landlord, manager, or property owner is responsible for maintaining a safe environment, communicating safety hazards as they arise, and handling them quickly without neglect or delay. Failure to do so can have legal consequences if you’re injured due to their neglect.
Wisconsin law clearly outlines landlord or property owner responsibilities, such as:
- Keeping the premises in a reasonable state of repair
- Making structural repairs as they occur
- Complying with local Appleton housing code requirements
- Disclosing building or housing code violations that create a health or injury threat
- Providing a written statement of promised repairs, including a timeline
- Making repairs or overseeing damages caused by other tenants
- Maintaining the property to prevent conditions that affect your health and safety
- Ensuring the property is habitable and free from hazardous conditions
7 Common Safety Hazards in Apartment Complexes
No matter how nice, modern, or well-maintained your apartment is, never assume everyone is looking out for your safety. Even the most professional apartment owners and staff can overlook or neglect safety issues. Below are seven common safety hazards in apartments that can lead to injury or health problems for tenants and guests.
One common cause of fires is improper maintenance of HVAC systems. Old or damaged wiring can also create a fire hazard. The apartment owner or manager may fail to schedule routine inspections for all equipment and appliances.
Apartments are notorious for slip-and-fall accidents due to poorly installed or broken handrails, water leaks, or dim lighting. Falls also happen when the floors are cracked or uneven.
Exposed, damaged, or old wiring can lead to electrical shock, electrocution, or fires. Landlords may fail to upgrade outlets to GFCI or address issues with overheating or electrical surges.
In Wisconsin, apartment owners are required to install carbon monoxide detectors with fuel-burning appliances in apartments. Neglecting to do this can be deadly.
Pest infestations are safety hazards due to their potential to spread diseases and trigger allergies. Rodents and cockroaches carry harmful pathogens that lead to serious illnesses. Termites and carpenter ants can damage wood and create unsafe living conditions.
Prolonged exposure to mold causes respiratory issues and allergic reactions. It can also damage personal belongings. Mold often grows in damp, poorly ventilated areas. It can also grow on the side of apartments that aren’t exposed to much sunlight.
If an elevator doesn’t stop as it should, it creates an uneven surface between the elevator car and the floor. Other hazards include poorly lit stairwells, slippery stairs, or loose handrails.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured at an Apartment and It’s the Landlord’s Fault?
After a premises liability-related accident at an apartment, your immediate priority should be getting treatment for your injuries. Your next priority should be to seek compensation for any losses related to the accident. Follow these steps to file a premises liability claim:
- Seek medical attention: Go to the emergency room immediately after the accident. The longer you delay, the more difficult it becomes to connect the accident with the injury.
- Document the injury: Take notes, snap some photos of your injury and the accident scene, and provide any documentation of the accident. The more details and documents you provide, the more easily you can prove your case.
- Report the accident: Report the accident within 24 hours of it happening. The sooner you report the accident, the stronger your case.
- Gather witness statements: Get statements from witnesses who saw the accident. They can verify your injury claim.
- Consult a premises liability attorney: Contact a Wisconsin premises liability lawyer with experience handling slip-and-fall injury cases.
Your attorney can investigate the accident and uncover the facts of the case. They can speak with witnesses and engage all related parties on your behalf. Your lawyer will also help you calculate your damages and determine what compensation you are entitled to receive. They’ll negotiate with the landlord or their insurer to get you a fair settlement.
Remember: According to Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m), you must file a personal injury claim in Wisconsin three years from the accident date, so don’t delay. Consult a premises liability attorney right away.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
If you’re injured in an apartment complex due to your landlord’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive fair compensation for your medical bills, lost pay, or other damages. Contact our experienced Wisconsin premises liability attorneys today to get started with your premises liability case.
Fill out our online form or call Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers to get a free case review from one of our Wisconsin personal injury lawyers.