New York City is a wonderland of tall buildings; glass encased architectural marvels and rock solid business buildings. Despite their beauty and function, these buildings pose serious safety issues for many people. Whether it is a wet floor in a tile lobby, a crumbling brownstone that poses the threat or a high rise apartment building with a dangerously slick foyer, dealing with a building accident can be a hassle.
What comprises a building accident? There are quite a few risks associated with buildings. While they are safe places for the most part, you can easily be injured, especially if the management company is not dedicated and safety focused. The most common form of building accident is a slip. Most new buildings have begun using tile, granite and marble in place of carpeting.
While this is an undeniably more beautiful option, it also poses safety risks. The slightest amount of moisture on this type of floor can make your feet fly out from under you faster than you would believe. The slip is only the first part of the accident. Broken bones, missing teeth and concussions are all common effects of a slip accident on a hard floor.
Another common type of building accident involves stairs. Moisture on the stairs, poorly lit conditions and a lack of proper maintenance can all contribute to a fall down the stairs. This poses much more of a threat to your personal health than a simple fall on the floor. Falling down the stairs can lead to shattered bones, cuts and lacerations, broken ribs, paralysis and even death.
Unfortunately, being careful where you walk is only half of the equation. If the building management and maintenance team is not dedicated to safety, it can be difficult to avoid being injured in a building. If you are injured in a building accident, you may expect the building management’s insurance company to pick up the tab for your medical bills. While this is a very reasonable expectation, many times it is a false expectation. The insurance company will likely do everything in their power get out of paying any bills due to your injury.
So, how do you deal with a building injury if the insurance company is not willing to help you? The best option is a personal injury attorney or law firm. They will have the expertise you need to hold the building management company responsible for their careless actions. If you have been injured in a building, through no fault of your own, hiring a lawyer is your best bet to get the monetary compensation that you need.
You can expect to collect the medical payment that you need, but you may also be entitled to pain and suffering damages from the management company, depending on the severity of your injuries and the treatment and care offered to you. Finding a legal partner that will help you through the process is the best idea. With the right law firm, you stand a good chance of winning your case.