Hurt due to dangerous building conditions? If so, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Don’t hesitate to speak with a knowledgeable Washington, D.C. premises liability lawyer from our firm at once. We can assess the circumstances of your accident, determine whether you have a case, and, from there, help you explore your legal options going forward.
Common Examples of Building Code Violations
As you can imagine, an otherwise safe building can very quickly become unsafe. In many cases, building codes are in place to regulate what is determined “safe” and what is not. Some of the most common building code violations/safety hazards that we see are as follows:
- Unsafe stairwells, such as defective/missing railings or loose steps
- Defective elevators, caused by failure to have them routinely inspected
- No smoke detectors in buildings or other fire hazards
- No carbon monoxide detectors
- Hazardous windows
- Failing to test for asbestos, lead, or other dangerous materials
- Unclean drinking water
- Balusters spread too widely apart, posing a risk for small children
- Lack of bathroom venting
- Lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters
- Dangerous wiring connections
- Renovations made without the proper permits
- Water/flooding hazards
- Failure to have routine building inspections conducted
Who is Responsible for an Accident?
This depends, however, it will likely either be the landlord/property owner or a product designer/manufacturer. For example, if you were injured because a landlord either failed to have a building inspected or had it inspected and failed to fix any safety hazards the building posed (especially if the hazard is a clear building code violation) you will likely sue the landlord or property owner for your injuries.
That said, if you were injured because of cheaply made or defective building materials, for example, you may actually have a claim against the company that designed or manufactured those materials. This would be known as a product liability claim. Our firm can assess the circumstances of your accident, determine the liable party, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Filing Your Claim On Time
In most cases, those injured due to hazards posed by building code violations will have three years from the date of their accident to sue for compensation in Washington, D.C. However, sometimes, the statute of limitations may be far shorter, so it’s best to simply reach out to a competent personal injury lawyer as soon after your accident as you can.
Contact Our Washington, D.C. Building Code Violations Lawyer
Anyone who has been hurt due to the negligence of another shouldn’t proceed without competent legal representation in their corner. Fortunately, if you’re reading this, you are in the right place. Simeone & Miller, LLP is here to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with our dedicated legal team.
Simeone & Miller, LLP, based in Washington, D.C., provides personal injury and medical malpractice legal services across Maryland and Virginia. In Maryland, our services extend to Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, and Frederick. In Virginia, we serve clients in Arlington County, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.