What Happens If I Was Injured In My Condo Building?
There are many reasons why individuals, couples, and families decide a condominium is an optimal housing choice. For many, condos are an opportunity to buy a property at a price they can afford. Plus, they may have attractive amenities and can free busy professionals from upkeep concerns such as gardening and snow removal as the condo board typically pays a service for these tasks.
Condos have common areas that are shared spaces, areas outside of individual units. When accidents happen in the common areas of your building, it is possible a personal injury claim will be filed to compensate an accident victim. If you sustained an injury in your condo building, connect with a Long Island personal injury lawyer to understand your damage recovery options.
Homeowner Association (HOA) and Maintaining a Safe Environment
Owners of condos typically pay a monthly fee to their HOA. These funds are pooled together to maintain the property. Also, there are rules for each building that are overseen by the HOA board of directors. If a condo owner does not follow the condo rules, they may be fined. For example, if you do not pay your monthly dues, there could be a financial penalty until your payments are brought up to date.
Maintaining a safe environment is essential. This means that funds from the building account should be used to fix any dangerous issues in common areas that could result in a visitor or resident being injured.
Examples of condo common areas:
- Hallways and walkways
- Lobbies and community decks
- Elevators and stairways
- Basements and roofs
- Laundry rooms
- Gardens and gyms
- Staircases and sidewalks
A common area is any space that is available for common use by all individuals, the resident, and their guests.
Insurance Policies are in Place
When you work with a Long Island personal injury lawyer, they can determine how to achieve the best result for your situation. Often, a negotiation with the building’s insurance company will take place. If a resolution is not possible, legal action could move forward. In most situations, the HOA will not be involved in an insurance negotiation. If a lawsuit moves forward, HOA representatives may be asked for maintenance records and other documentation.
If you were injured in a common area of your building, let the HOA know and keep a record of your communications. Gathering witness accounts and taking pictures of the area where the accident happened could also be beneficial. You do not have to shoulder all of the expenses of an injury when a hazard should have been fixed. Compensation could be possible.
Were you hospitalized after slipping and falling in a common area of your condo building? You need a personal injury lawyer working for you to determine a path forward. Together, we can assess your expenses and develop a strategy to secure your best compensation option. With over 30 years of legal experience, our legal team represents clients throughout Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City. Don’t delay, contact Giuffré Law Offices at 516-802-9912 to discuss your case today.
