Chicago Premises Liability Attorney
While generally uncommon, a Buffalo Grove porch/balcony collapse can be a frightening, dangerous experience for anyone involved. A fallen deck can crush people beneath it and leave those who fell from its height with severe injuries. In this type of accident, it is rare that anyone escapes without some kind of injury, and fatalities do happen.
Common injuries following a porch or balcony collapse include broken bones, brain injury, spinal injury, internal bleeding and damage to internal organs. It may require months or years of recuperation to heal completely following such injuries. Many may never fully recover.
Buffalo Grove Accident Injury Lawyers
A balcony, deck or porch collapse may occur for many reasons. Accident injury lawyers have found that there are often several underlying factors, including one or more of the following:
- Improper maintenance
- Structural weakness
- Improper adherence to building laws and regulations
- Poor construction or improper materials
- Improper use of the area
Property owners are required to ensure that all areas of the property are safe for habitation and use at all times. If they fail to maintain any part of the structure, they can be held liable for any accident that occurs. Additionally, manufacturers and contractors sometimes cut corners in an effort to save money. If this happens, the balcony or porch may have been unstable from its installation but collapsed years later.
Who Is Liable?
Following a balcony, deck or porch collapse accident, liability may rest with more than one person or entity. In some cases, a homeowner alone may be held liable for the collapse of a structure. However, there are often other potentially liable individuals, including the contractor who built the deck or porch, the building supply vendors and the material manufacturers. As in the case of swimming pool accidents, premises liability may also rest with the property management company and commercial property owners.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a balcony collapse, consult with a premises liability attorney at Cary J. Wintroub & Associates as soon as possible. We investigate all matters thoroughly to discover the truth of who is responsible and help you obtain compensation for your injury and loss. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to trial to help protect your rights. We invite you to schedule a free consultation with an attorney. Contact us online or by calling (312) 726-1021.
