Home should be your safe haven. Your apartment building should protect you, not hurt you. But sometimes dangerous conditions turn your residence into a liability nightmare.
I’m Eric Shore. I’ve been fighting for New Jersey tenants’ rights for over 30 years. When landlords cut corners on safety, people get seriously injured.
Why Are New Jersey Apartment Building Accidents So Common?
New Jersey has over 800,000 rental units. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence law, tenants who are less than 50% at fault can still recover damages.
I see apartment building injuries every week. Slip and falls in Newark high-rises. Elevator accidents in Camden complexes. Stairway collapses in Jersey City walk-ups. Poor lighting attacks in Paterson parking garages.
The common thread? Landlords who knew about dangerous conditions but didn’t fix them.
What Legal Duty Do New Jersey Landlords Owe Tenants?
Landlords have an obligation to maintain reasonably safe standards. This isn’t optional. It’s the law.
Your landlord must keep common areas safe, fix known hazards promptly, provide adequate lighting and security, maintain stairs and railings, address environmental hazards, and ensure elevators work.
New Jersey courts have consistently ruled that landlords cannot waive liability for negligence through lease clauses.
What Are the Most Dangerous Areas in Apartment Buildings?
Stairwells and hallways. Poor lighting, worn carpets, loose railings. I’ve handled serious falls at complexes near Rutgers University in New Brunswick.
Parking garages and lots. Potholes, inadequate lighting, broken gates. One client was attacked in an unlit Hoboken garage after security failed.
Common areas and lobbies. Wet floors, broken tiles, malfunctioning doors. Elderly tenants slip on unmarked spills at Atlantic City senior buildings.
Balconies and outdoor spaces. Rotting wood, loose railings. A Cherry Hill family almost lost their child when a balcony railing gave way.
How Do You Prove Your Landlord Was Negligent?
Winning requires proving four elements: The landlord had a duty of care (automatic for New Jersey landlords). They breached that duty by knowing about dangerous conditions but not fixing them. The breach caused your injury. You suffered damages.
The tricky part is proving notice. I dig into maintenance records, complaint logs, and city inspection reports. I interview neighbors and building staff.
What Should You Do After an Apartment Building Injury?
Get medical attention immediately. Whether that’s Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Cooper University Hospital in Camden, or Hackensack University Medical Center.
Report the incident in writing. Email or certified letter to your landlord. Be factual. Don’t admit fault.
Document everything. Photos of the dangerous condition, your injuries, the scene. Get witness information.
Don’t talk to insurance adjusters. Call me first.
Preserve evidence. Don’t let the landlord “fix” the problem until it’s documented.
Can Your Landlord Really Be Held Responsible?
If landlord neglect results in tenant injury, they can be held legally responsible. I’ve recovered millions for New Jersey tenants:
- $485,000 for a slip and fall on icy steps in Elizabeth
- $320,000 for an elevator malfunction in Trenton
- $275,000 for inadequate security leading to assault in Newark
- $180,000 for a stairway collapse in Paterson
Your landlord’s insurance will try to blame you. They’ll claim you should have seen the hazard or that it was “open and obvious.” That’s where my experience matters.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
New Jersey law allows injured tenants to recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and loss of life enjoyment.
Don’t let anyone tell you it was “just an accident.” If your landlord’s negligence caused it, they should pay.
Why Do You Need an Experienced New Jersey Premises Liability Attorney?
Insurance companies hate apartment building cases. They know juries sympathize with tenants hurt in their own buildings. So they fight hard.
I’ve been handling New Jersey premises liability cases since 1995. I know which experts to hire, which medical records matter, and how to maximize settlements. I understand local courts from Bergen County to Cape May.
Most importantly, I work on contingency. You don’t pay unless we win.
The Path Forward Starts Today
Your landlord’s insurance company is already building their defense. They’re hoping you’ll accept whatever lowball offer they make. They’re counting on you not knowing your rights.
Don’t let them take advantage of you.
Whether you’re in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, or anywhere in New Jersey, I understand the local laws and what it takes to win these cases.
You deserve a lawyer who will fight for every dollar you’re owed. Someone with experience to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies.
Call me today at 1-800-CANT-WORK or visit 1800cantwork.com for your free consultation.
Let’s discuss what happened and how we can make it right. You’ve been hurt once – don’t let the insurance company hurt you again.
The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore has been serving New Jersey accident victims for over 30 years. We handle all premises liability cases on contingency so you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
