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Home to stunning city vistas and over 8.2 million people, New York City is known worldwide for its architectural wonders. But even as urban planners try to maintain the balance of “old world” charm and modern convenience, many people still remain at risk of dangerous ceiling collapses at their buildings, especially in the more historic neighborhoods of NYC.
Collapsing ceilings are not to be taken lightly, and they can lead to catastrophic injuries from falling debris. When you’ve experienced a ceiling collapse, you can count on Silbowitz, Garafola, Silbowitz & Schatz, L.L.P. to advocate on your behalf. We’ve got the drive and the tenacity to take your case wherever it needs to go — and with millions of dollars won for our clients, we have the results to back it up.
In this post, we’ll discuss the main causes of ceiling collapses, and how you can seek compensation for your injuries.
What Causes Ceiling Collapse?
Aside from causing significant terror and trauma, a ceiling collapse comes with a lot of heavy falling debris, such as plasterboard sheeting, pounds of drywall, and sharp screws. From traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) to paralysis and even death, ceiling collapses have been credited with causing some of the most disabling injuries out there. Not only that, but these catastrophic events can also ruin your furniture and clothing, and injure pets or nearby loved ones.
Typically, ceiling collapses take place in older buildings that have not been properly fortified against water damage and other hazards. Because modern buildings are required to follow certain codes and regulations, ceiling collapses have actually become less frequent over the years. However, even brand new buildings can be subject to contractor or landlord negligence — and the results can be devastating.
Here are some of the most common causes for a ceiling collapse:
- Improper use of roof space
- Poor construction materials
- Insufficient bonding and adhesive materials
- Faulty architectural design
- Unchecked water damage
- Incorrectly installed pipes
- Bad workmanship
Who Is Liable for a Ceiling Collapse?
If you’re suffering from painful losses after a ceiling collapse, you deserve to pursue justice. However, it can sometimes be difficult to tell exactly where liability falls in these scenarios, precisely because the collapses can seem unpredictable. In most cases, you will need the assistance of an experienced NYC lawyer to sort through the details and determine who is at fault.
Here are some of the parties that could be responsible for the collapse:
- Landlords
- Business owners
- Contractors, both current and previous
- Maintenance workers
- Architects
- Building owners and managers
- Construction workers
- The construction company
Understanding NYC Premises Liability Laws
Under the legal principle of premises liability, property owners are required to ensure the safety of their tenants and visitors (within a reasonable degree.) Whether you’re living in the apartment or house — or even just passing through an Airbnb — the owner of that property owes you a substantial duty of care against major injuries. New York City laws are incredibly strict on this point, partly because building infrastructure is often found lacking here.
No matter how your ceiling collapse happened, we’ll get to the bottom of it here at Silbowitz, Garafola, Silbowitz & Schatz, L.L.P. Devoted to our clients and capable of winning million-dollar outcomes, we have the skills and the experience you’ll need to be successful in a ceiling collapse lawsuit.
Call (800) 498-2782 today for more information!
