A 12-year old child was hospitalized on Saturday night after a 6-by-6 foot piece of plaster from a section of a city apartment’s ceiling collapsed.
Authorities believe that the heavy rainfall from both Friday and Saturday is to blame. According to officials, water got into both the insulation and plaster in the third floor unit of the building, causing the ceiling to become waterlogged and eventually collapse.
The city building inspector responded to the scene to examine the whether the premises was up to code. The case is still being investigated.
Building codes are adopted to protect innocent tenants, guests, and employees from dangerous situations. Their purpose is to safeguard the public by making sure that buildings are sound and properly constructed, have adequate means of exit in the event of a fire, and are otherwise sufficiently safe and sanitary.
When building codes are violated or ignored, they can leave individuals seriously hurt; as was the case on Saturday night. By Massachusetts’s law, landlords are required to properly maintain their properties so that there are no unsafe conditions, and premises liability law holds landlords accountable when they neglect their responsibilities, and a person becomes injured or dies as a result.
As a tenant, your landlord is responsible for maintaining places such as common areas as well as areas where a landlord has exclusive control. Common areas include building entrances, lobbies, hallways and stairwells. Places such as rooftops, foundations, and other types of structural areas are considered places where the landlord has exclusive control and their maintenance falls under the direct responsibility of the property’s owner. Landlords need to take reasonable care of their properties and ensure that they are not only in good/working condition but also that they are sanitary and do not pose a major health threat. Examples of health and sanitary violations include mold, infestations of mice, termites or other insects that can compromise a tenant’s health. Additionally, landlords are liable for any necessary repairs to structural areas on their properties.
Common Building Code Violations Include:
• Sprinkler systems and fire escapes • Elevators • Emergency lighting systems • Exit signs • Exterior locks • Gas fittings • Electrical wiring
If you were injured as a tenant or as a guest of a property because a landlord failed to properly maintain his or her premises or adhere to building codes, call the offices of Altman & Altman to discuss filing a potential claim. If a landlord is found to be the responsible party to you receiving an injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and any pain and suffering directly related to your injuries. Our attorneys have nearly 50 years of experience with Boston Premises Liability Cases and have successfully settled hundreds of claims for clients who were injured as a result of landlord negligence. Call us at (617) 492-3000 or toll free at (800) 481-6199, or email one of our experienced attorneys today to schedule a free initial consultation. Our attorneys are always available to answer any questions you have about your case.
Original Article from WCVB.com