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Ceiling collapses may seem rare, but they happen more often than people think. Apartments, homes, offices, retail stores, hotels, and even schools — ceilings come down everywhere. While they might not always make the news, they are a real danger. Sudden and terrifying, when chunks of drywall, plaster, or even heavy wooden beams come crashing down, there can be serious and life-altering consequences.
Common Causes of Ceiling Collapses
Collapses are caused by common villains, including poor maintenance, water damage, structural defects, and faulty construction. According to the National Association of Home Builders, approximately 28% of structural failures in buildings are due to ceiling collapses, mostly caused by poor maintenance or construction. Another study by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that over 10,000 ceiling and roof collapse incidents happen annually in the United States, leading to severe injuries and fatalities.
Unfortunately, many ceiling collapse injuries occur in older and poorly maintained apartment buildings within many of New Jersey’s largest cities. For over 40 years, the lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. have held negligent apartment building owners and slumlords responsible for ignoring complaints about water leaks and structural deficiencies leading to ceiling collapses in communities such as Newark, Paterson, Irvington, Trenton, Jersey City, New Brunswick and many other New Jersey communities.
Injuries Caused by Collapsed Ceilings
Injuries from a ceiling collapse depend on various factors. For example, how many people were there, what caused the collapse, and how severe the damage is. What’s shocking? The most common injuries are head and traumatic brain injuries from debris falling and striking the head, causing concussions, skull fractures, or even permanent brain damage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that falling objects, including ceiling debris, contribute to nearly 50,000 head injuries each year. Spinal cord injuries are common, along with broken bones, neck and back injuries, and lacerations. Internal injuries from blunt force trauma are also associated with these accidents. These injuries can lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, permanent disabilities, and immense pain and suffering.
Who is Liable for Ceiling Collapses?
Many people assume that if a ceiling collapses, the case is straightforward—someone must be responsible. Unfortunately, these cases are rarely simple. Determining who is liable is difficult because multiple parties could be sharing responsibility, like the landlord, property owner, or contractor. To prove negligence, the responsible party had to fail to maintain the property or ignore signs of structural weakness. Gathering this evidence is critical and should include paperwork like building inspection reports, maintenance records, tenant complaints, and construction permits.
If the ceiling that fell was owned and maintained by a housing authority, you may be subject to a strict 90-day deadline to put the owners on notice of your intention to bring a claim known as a New Jersey Torts Claim Notice. This must be made on a special form and mailed to a special address. If you have been injured by a ceiling collapse, it is best to take immediate action to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who has handled ceiling collapse cases.
What To Do After a Ceiling Collapse
If you or a loved one has been injured in a ceiling collapse, take these steps immediately. Seek medical attention because your health comes first, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt immediately. Document everything by taking photos and videos of the damage, your injuries, and anything that could be evidence. Report the incident by notifying the property owner, landlord, or building management in writing. Most importantly, contact a personal injury lawyer so they can fight for the compensation you deserve.
You don’t have to face it alone. If negligence played a role in your injury, you have the right to seek justice. When taking on a ceiling collapse case, our attorneys at Davis, Saperstein, and Salomon. PC move quickly to protect our client’s rights. We investigate and work with experts, including structural engineers, contractors, and medical professionals, to prove cause of the collapse and the full extent of injuries. As experienced personal injury lawyers, we’re here to fight for you, hold negligent parties accountable, and help you rebuild your life. If you or someone you know has been injured in a ceiling collapse, don’t wait—reach out for a free consultation today.
Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. For A Free Consultation
Whether you have been injured at work, in a car accident, slip and fall, a fire, or require representation for a claim, the personal injury attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. offer compassionate, skilled legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Clients seeking experienced personal injury lawyers in Teaneck, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or via email at info@dsslaw.com. The firm offers free consultations, and second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City.
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Since 1981, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have been delivering results for our deserving clients. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations. No matter how large or small your personal injury case is, you can trust that it is important to us.
