Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
Last Sunday, a Newton man died after falling from the third floor balcony of a Nashville bar. Law enforcement officials said that they don’t suspect foul play at this point. There hasn’t been any word on the official cause of this tragic incident though. Was there some problem with the railing? Was the balcony defective or in need of updating? Dmitriy Sirota, 23 years old, was from Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts. He was reportedly in town on business and at the Honky Tonk Central on Lower Broadway in Nashville on Sunday night.
Reporters with the Tennessean received no response for comments after attempting to contact management at Honky Tonk Central multiple times. It may be difficult for a victim’s family to get answers after an incident like this. An experienced premises lawyer can stay up-to-date with official investigations.
Balcony Maintenance
The importance of balcony maintenance can’t be overstated. Business owners, property owners, landlords, store owners and restaurant owners in Massachusetts have a duty to safely maintain their properties. Balconies, porches and decks need to be properly maintained and safe for visiting guests, patrons, customers and tenants.
Potential Balcony Problems • Structural problems • Failure to maintain an aging balcony, porch or deck • Incorrectly calculated safe weight loads • Undetected rot in wooden railing • Rusty bolts • Defective railings • Failure to meet building codes • Outdated • Improper maintenance • Improper height of railing What to Do if You Have Lost a Loved One In cases of balcony falls, it may be necessary for a victim’s family to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you have lost a loved one due to a property owner’s negligence, contact an experienced wrongful death attorney swiftly. Even if you’re not sure if negligence occurred, contact an attorney for a consultation. An experienced Boston personal injury attorney can help you navigate the difficult waters of a premises liability case.
Recent Balcony Death in the News New York- A 35-year-old woman fell to her death, when the railing on her 17th floor apartment balcony gave way. The victim’s mother has filed a lawsuit against the building’s management company, Stonehenge Management and the building owner, SL Green Realty. The Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit says that Stonehenge Management caused her daughter’s death by “failing to adequately inspect the balcony” and “using balcony railings that were unable to support weight.”
When to Call a Premises Liability Lawyer If you or a loved one has been injured due to a balcony, deck or porch accident, contact an experienced premises liability lawyer in Massachusetts as soon as possible. A premises lawyer will review building permits and stay abreast of official investigations. An attorney will also check to see if a building or property owner has been previously cited. In some cases, defective buildings may have been cited for code violations in the past. Additionally, they can locate witnesses and consult with professionals in the fields of engineering, medicine and construction. Identifying the responsible party is the first step in helping a victim’s family. It’s also helpful for a victim’s family to document all consequences related to the fall.
This incident is likely still under investigation with local law enforcement authorities. If you have lost a loved one to a balcony fall, contact the experienced team at Altman & Altman, LLP for a free case evaluation at 800-481-6199. With over 40 years of experience, our firm is ready to aggressively fight for your rights. The team at Altman & Altman, LLP sends their deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Dmitriy Sirota.
