We are dedicated advocates for our clients, fighting, and using every available resource, to obtain the compensation they deserve. The damage it does to the rest of the building is significant, the injuries it can cause are devastating, and the cost of repairing the roof and the damage caused are potentially impossible to cover. Before the ceiling collapses, water may cause stains, cracks, or mold growth to appear on the ceiling. To ensure you have the best chance at obtaining the compensation you deserve, your lawyer should be just as invested in your case as you are. In some cases, if an upstairs tenant improperly uses utilities, resulting in flooding that causes the ceiling of the tenant who lives below them to collapse, the upstairs tenant can be liable for physical harm and property damage caused to the downstairs tenant. Homeowners who wait till they can see the ceiling is actually failing will be paying a lot more money than those who proactively prevent it. If you notice these signs and want to confirm if your ceiling is stable, there are a few checks you may do on your own. Since her pain continued, this plaintiff's doctors recommended a lumbar decompression and fusion procedure.
Check the attic and all interior ceilings for stains that can occur due to leaks. After checking if you have sustained any injuries, you should start documenting and recording everything that occurred leading up to and after the incident. A sudden ceiling collapse can cause serious injuries because of weighted force.
Ceiling collapse is caused by a variety of things that happen in the home. Don't dismiss any of these warning signs. Some of the signs and symptoms of a serious spinal cord injury may include extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back, weakness or paralysis in any part of your body, numbness, tingling or lack of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes, loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty with balance or walking, and impaired breathing. If there is a height variation of approx 12mm or more, this could be an indication that the plasterboard sheeting is detaching from the ceiling joists. With many incidents, there are some ceiling collapse warning signs that can be spotted in advance. A construction worker in Manhattan was killed on Tuesday, and three others were injured when a wall collapsed at a…. Visible sagging, even when slight, is a sign that you are in a roofing emergency. Because the risk here is so great, you need to know how to spot the signs of a potential roof collapse and what you should be doing to prevent one from ever occurring. Your Message Has Not been sent. Tom Byer Roofing Offers Reliable Maintenance Service. If your landlord was negligent, you will need to prove that in court. A landlord is responsible for the reparation of a collapsed ceiling as well as clearing the debris and sourcing workers to carry out the works required. Wrongful death damages if the ceiling collapse took the life of a loved one.
In many cases, property owners are liable for the damages caused by a ceiling collapse. Failing to make such repairs is negligence and when it causes injury, the landlord is responsible. Plumbing problems can also cause water damage to your ceilings. If you have suffered damages as a result of a ceiling collapse, it is important to speak with a ceiling collapse lawyer. However, if it is to the edge of the room, next to an external wall, this could be a sign of water ingress from the outside of the property. If the collapse was caused by a faulty product, such as the ceiling joists, the sheetrock, or the drywall screws used to hang the sheetrock, you may have a viable product liability claim against the product's manufacturer.
Stop leaks or water damage: $500 to $2, 500. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations. What are some causes of Ceiling Collapse? Filing a Lawsuit for Roof and Ceiling Collapse – The Basics. The plaintiff must prove in such a case that his or her managing agent and/or landlord knew or should have known about the condition and should have fixed it. It is important to understand that your rights as a renter are protected by premises liability law. What Are Ceiling Falling Down Warning Signs? It's not unheard of for such parties to perform poor workmanship or not build up to building codes to save money. You might be eligible for compensation if you have been injured in a collapsed ceiling or the other building owner's negligence. There is a reasonable chance that this type of event will be covered in your policy. Common causes of a sudden ceiling collapse include: - Neglecting to perform or poorly performing routine maintenance.
The value of possessions lost as a result of the collapse may also be included. Ceiling Collapse in Queens – What to Do? The plaintiff in her 20s was seriously hurt after the ceiling in her bathroom fell and caused her head to hit the side of the bathtub when she fell. Property managers are responsible for maintaining their property, as required by New Jersey State Building and Construction Codes (BOCA) and the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Code. Ceiling water damage is a typical problem. If there is no obvious sign of water damage, the problem was likely a poorly fitted board. Leaks, No Matter Where They Occur. If you or your loved ones are in the home when it happens, severe injury is possible. As most clients discover, recovery (or settlement) amounts almost always depend on the extent of harm or damages you incur – and whether you must undergo one or more surgeries to heal your physical injuries.
Devastating Examples of Ceiling Collapses. The same is true with any images that indicate some of the ceiling materials were sagging prior to the collapse. Finally, if you have recently just moved into your new rental property, be sure to take pictures to prove your property's initial condition. As the water spreads further from the source over time, rings will form from repeated or inconsistent leaks. In fact, a number of factors can lead to this type of event. Landlords, often ignore the problem because replacing a roof or bathroom fixture can cost a lot of money. Serving injured individuals in all 50 states.
In this case, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Brooklyn personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Keep regular records of all repair requests & keep them hidden in your apartment. Replace a ceiling: $400 to $1, 000. Our Ceiling Repair Service specialist will work hard to make sure your ceiling is repaired correctly with a quality end result. In contrast, if you were quickly treated and released from the hospital (although lengthy physical therapy was ordered by your doctor), your damages award may be rather modest. Even, people in Bergen County, New Jersey are not immune from falling ceilings. I personally have no doubt that one by one each and every one of these ceilings is a potential disaster just waiting to happen. Once you notice a ceiling water spot or see any water pouring down or sliding down the walls, you must ask your apartment manager (or the owner) to immediately fix all related problems. Our article in "Related Resources" below will tell you where to find it and how to do it.
Water: Heavy rain or leaks can weaken ceilings and give way to an inevitable collapse. Certainly, if there is a burst pipe and you have no chance of stopping the ceiling collapse. Collapsed Ceiling Repair. Due to the thickness of plaster and the way in which it is applied; damaged plaster is not always immediately detectable and may appear completely sound. Can a Ceiling Collapse Kill You? If it's not that, you'll probably need a roofer. In addition to medical expenses and other common damages you would claim in a non-fatal personal injury case, you would also be able to claim loss of consortium, loss of valuable services, lost of benefits, loss of guardianship, and more. If you have been injured in a ceiling collapse, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The ceiling should be tested for asbestos to ensure that you were not exposed to asbestos, which can carry lifetime health issues.
Poor Ventilation: Drywall is usually made with gypsum, which is very sensitive to humidity and moisture, which can cause failure. These types of issues should always be addressed. A collapsed ceiling can cause significant damage that needs to be addressed by the liable party. Toilet failure is a leading cause of water damage.
This is especially the case in older buildings that may not be adequately prepared to handle the weight of heavy snow loads. Use an awl tool, screwdriver, or similar item to make a small hole in the center of the leak, allowing the water to pass through the controlled opening and into your bucket. Additionally, it is also a good idea to record any correspondence between you and the landlord, especially if you have reported an issue to them, such as water spots, stains, or leaks. If a falling ceiling caused property damage, serious injury or a fatality, contact us so that we can help.
Dust particles containing traces of asbestos can be very dangerous if inhaled, causing serious illnesses including lung cancer. Whether the entire building collapses, or if it's just a portion, anyone caught in the danger zone could suffer a serious injury like a spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury, or even die. If this situation was the result of a negligent property manager, constructor, manufacturer, or even another tenant, you have the right to seek compensation for the damage caused.