If you are a tenant in San Antonio, Texas, and you have experienced a roof or ceiling collapse, you may be entitled to compensation from your landlord.
Hiring an experienced roof and ceiling collapse lawyer in San Antonio is essential. You need a legal advocate who can protect your rights and help you navigate the complex legal system.
Renters and Roof and Ceiling Premises Liability
Landlords have a legal duty to maintain their rental properties in a safe and habitable condition. That includes the roof and ceiling, which are essential for protecting the interior of the building.
If a roof or ceiling collapse occurs due to the landlord’s failure to maintain the property adequately, the landlord may be held liable for any injuries or damages that result. Roof and ceiling premises liability cases are not black and white.
As a tenant, you have different rights than a visitor or social guest. However, you must be a legal tenant for full protection under the law. Otherwise, the law considers you a trespasser.
Trespassers have less protection than tenants or visitors. A landlord’s only duty to a trespasser is to not intentionally hurt them or act with gross negligence.
How to Prove Liability Against Your San Antonio Landlord
There are several ways your landlord could be found liable for your roof or ceiling collapse in San Antonio, TX. If your landlord was aware of a hazardous condition but failed to repair it, they may be held responsible.
If the defect was unknown or introduced by a contractor or repair person, you might have a claim against those parties.
To prove liability against your landlord, you must show that the landlord knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that led to the collapse and that the landlord failed to take reasonable steps to repair or correct the problem.
To succeed in a San Antonio roof and ceiling premises liability claim, you need solid evidence that points to your landlord’s liability. A ceiling collapse lawyer at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP can help.
How to Strengthen Your San Antonio Roof and Ceiling Collapse Claim
If you seek compensation from your landlord for a roof or ceiling collapse, you can do a few key things to strengthen your case and improve your chances of success.
Get Evidence from the Scene
Document the collapse, damages, and any injuries that resulted. Try to take photographs of the collapsed roof or ceiling and any injuries you and your loved ones sustained.
It is crucial to keep all receipts or bills related to the collapse. Examples include medical bills, repair costs, hotel receipts, etc.
Speak with Witnesses
If anyone saw the collapse or the conditions that led to it, their testimony can be valuable evidence in your case. Be sure to get the witnesses’ names and contact information.
Your San Antonio roof and ceiling collapse lawyer will follow up with them to get a formal statement.
Hire Experts
Your attorney might suggest hiring one or more expert witnesses. An expert witness is a person with specialized knowledge in a particular area. They can testify about the cause of the collapse and whether the landlord was negligent. Your lawyer can help you identify and retain an expert witness who can help support your case.
Keep Copies of All Communication
Keep track of all communication with your landlord. If you have written or verbal communication with your landlord about the condition of the roof, ceiling, or any repairs, it is crucial to keep a record of these conversations.
This communication may include emails, letters, voicemails, and text messages.
Hire a Roof and Ceiling Collapse Lawyer in San Antonio
Consider hiring a ceiling collapse lawyer at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP. Hiring a lawyer with roof and ceiling collapse experience is best because these cases often involve complex legal issues.
Your lawyer can help you gather and present the necessary evidence to prove your case, negotiate with the landlord or their insurance company, file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, and represent you in court if necessary.
Contact A San Antonio Roof and Ceiling Collapse Lawyer Today
If you have experienced a roof or ceiling collapse, contact a San Antonio roof and ceiling collapse lawyer today. We can help you pursue compensation against all responsible parties.
Our lawyers have years of experience with San Antonio premises liability cases, including ceiling and roof collapse injury claims.
We know what it takes to build a successful liability case against your landlord and have extensive experience working with industry experts who can help identify the causes of your damage.
Whether you need to file a claim against your landlord or there are more complex issues involving building contractors or manufacturers, the San Antonio ceiling collapse lawyers at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP are here to help.
Contact our office today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case, whether that’s in the form of a settlement or a judgment. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they might have a personal injury case.
We suggest speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Something to keep in mind is that all personal injury cases need evidence, and that evidence often degrades over time. As a result, many jurisdictions have a strict statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim. In Texas, most victims have only two years from the date of injury to file, so it is important to start building your case immediately.
In the state of Texas, employers have the option of filing for workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers them in case an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some employers choose to be non-subscribers, which means they opt out of this coverage and lose certain legal protections. This means that if an injured employee sues them after a work injury, they may end up paying more damages. In addition, they may be liable for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and medical benefits. Learn more about non-subscriber injuries here.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) keeps track of employers that report their non-subscriber status. Currently, you can find a spreadsheet of every reported non-subscriber business in Texas under TDI’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage verification page. This includes the business address, business name, and filing dates. Learn more here.
There are a few different ways to manage your bills while waiting for your case to settle. For medical treatment, it is common to arrange a lien with the doctor’s office or hospital. A medical lien is essentially an agreement to pay back your treatment costs with a portion of your potential settlement. Another option for miscellaneous bills, such as rent, utilities, or other essential expenses, is lawsuit funding. Much like a lien, you pay these loans back with a portion of your settlement or judgment. However, these loans have high interest rates and fees, so be sure to discuss this option with your attorney.