Should my apartment complex pay for my medical bill regarding an injury that I suffered on the property?
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Should my apartment complex pay for my medical bill regarding an injury that I suffered on the property?
I was coming down the stairs of my apartment complex and had my hand on the banister all the way down. The meat of my hand between my thumb and index finger caught a protruding nail and ripped my skin very deep. I just got back from the hospital. I needed 5 stitches. Should they pay for my medical? If so, how would I approach this to them? I’m no jerk, nor do I want to be. I just want what is fair.
Asked on September 10, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Virginia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Whether or not the owner of your apartment complex is negligent concerning the protruding nail that was in the banister that you caught your hand in resulting in the need for stitches depends upon whether or not the owner knew or should have known about the protruding nail upon a reasonable and diligent inspection.
In all states, in order to establish liability upon a property owner for damages that one sustains for personal injury concerning a condition that was existing causing injury, the plaintiff (person injured) has to establish knowledge of the problem by the property owner or failure to find it in the exercise of normal care.
From what you have written, I see no liability by the property owner for your injury. You could contact the owner and advise him or her what happened and of the need to remove the nail that harmed you. Perhaps the landlord will offer to pay for some of your medical bills.
Good luck.
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The owner of the property is liable for your injury which occurred on the property. Your personal injury claim should be filed with the insurance carrier for the apartment complex. You should obtain your medical bill, medical report, and if applicable, documentation of any wage loss resulting from the injury. Your personal injury claim will consist of these items. Compensation for the medical bill is straight reimbursement. Compensation for wage loss is straight reimbursement. The medical report will document the nature and extent of your injury and will be used to determine compensation for pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering is an amount in addition to the medical bill. If you are dissatisfied with settlement offers from the insurance company, you can reject the settlement offers and file a lawsuit for negligence against the owner of the property. If the case is settled with the insurance company, NO lawsuit is filed. If the case is NOT settled, you will need to file your lawsuit prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or you will lose your rights forever in the matter.
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