There are many older buildings in the New York area. As a result, it’s very possible to be living in a building that is at risk of leaks, roofing problems, and even ceiling collapses. This is a serious issue that can leave you dealing with significant damages and personal injury. If you or someone you know is in this kind of situation, it’s imperative to speak with a Brooklyn ceiling collapse attorney about your rights and the steps you can take in order to be rightfully compensated for your injuries.
What Might Cause a Ceiling to Collapse?
Sturdy ceilings in Brooklyn and other New York City buildings are built to last. However, it is possible there may be defects in the foundation or roofing, which can result in a ceiling not being as strong as envisioned. This could happen when a building is very old or when a defect is overlooked by the construction team.
A ceiling collapse could happen for the following reasons:
• Improper maintenance or no maintenance at all
• Weather damage including high wind, snow, or ice
• Wall failure and pressure from the attic
• Pipe leaks in the ceiling
• Improper support in the ceiling
• Violations of building code in the construction
• Damage from termites or other pests
• Damaged ceiling supports
• Items stored on drywall instead of joists in the attic
Property owners are required to ensure that their buildings are up to safety standards. If a problem occurs and the ceiling collapses, it can result in serious injuries, which means the property owner or landlord would be held liable. At the same time, liability depends on the reason behind the ceiling collapse. Your accident lawyer can determine whether you have a valid case.
Sagging Ceiling
When a section of a ceiling starts to droop or gaps and cracks form, this is known as a drooping or sagging ceiling. It can be caused by a range of issues, from faulty building techniques to neglectful maintenance. It’s important to address a sagging ceiling immediately, as waiting could lead to a collapse with devastating consequences. While the cost of repairing a sagging ceiling and replacing furniture may seem daunting, it pales in comparison to the potential harm that could result from a ceiling collapse, such as serious injury or even death.
Causes of Sagging Ceiling
It can be risky and expensive to fix sagging ceilings. As a homeowner, it is important to create a safe space that is free from dangerous hazards. In order to do so, it is important to understand the possible causes for the sagging in your ceiling:
A collapsing ceiling and shifting foundations
If your foundation is sinking or shifting, your floors, walls, and ceilings will suffer. If your foundation is failing, you will most likely notice cracks in your walls, sagging floors, doors jamming, and paving cracks.
The best way to detect foundation problems is to begin your inspection on the lowest floor and work your way up. Examine your basement/lower floor walls for cracks, insect infestations, excessive moisture, and damp odors.
Load-bearing beams and ceiling supports
Your ceiling’s strength and durability are highly dependent on structural support. Different types of ceilings call for different supporting structures. If the structure is inadequate, for instance, there are missing load-bearing beams, or the frame is undersized, the weight of the unsupported ceiling will eventually cause sagging.
The same principle holds true when supporting beams are spaced too widely apart, reducing the level of support in areas affected by the ceiling. It is important to keep in mind that as long as the issue is not neglected, you should be able to repair rather than completely replace the sagging ceiling.
Leaks and Water
The materials used for ceilings are made to withstand incidental surface wetness and low-level dampness, but heavier or continuous exposures can make the material heavier and lose structural integrity. The likelihood of a failure increases with the length of time that the conditions are allowed to last. If a water leak or other moisture infiltration is not fixed, it can result in a number of health and safety problems, such as ceiling collapse, tripping risks, and hazardous mold exposure. It is important to first address the source of the water damage before rebuilding or repairing supporting beams and frames.
Excessive Insulation
Although it is not the most frequent cause, using too much insulation can cause a ceiling to sag. Because each type of ceiling has a different load-bearing capability, adding too much weight will inevitably cause the ceiling to sag. If insulation is a problem, the entire ceiling may eventually sag uniformly. Again, in this case, early repair is significantly less expensive than repairing a collapsed ceiling. If insulation is the source of your problem, a trained builder or building inspector should be able to identify it quickly.
Pests including termites
If termites infest your home, the situation could quickly spiral out of control. Termites are highly skilled at destroying load-bearing or supporting timber structures. Termites can be identified by the presence of termite feces or wing droppings, damage to wooden objects such as doors and furniture, or the presence of termite tunnels adjacent to your home. Hiring exterminators to combat termites is the best course of action.
It is critical to have a building inspector inspect your ceiling as soon as you notice any signs of sagging. You can prevent a dangerous ceiling collapse if you act quickly and fix any potential issues. Should you be injured in a ceiling fall due to someone else’s negligence, it is very important to consult with a Brooklyn personal injury lawyer about your rights, as well as the steps you can take to be fairly compensated for your injuries.
What Kind of Injuries Can Occur Due to a Ceiling Collapse?
If a ceiling collapses, it creates a dangerous situation in more than one way. The building is exposed to the elements and has no cover. The collapse can also result in pieces of the ceiling falling on top of people inside the building, causing serious injuries. When a ceiling collapses, debris can fall inward and it can cause head, neck, or back injuries. A person can even suffer an eye injury if debris gets into their eye or strikes an eye.
Slip and fall accidents are also common after a ceiling collapse. It’s common for a person to lose their balance while slipping on wet debris, falling, or suffering cuts, contusions, sprains, and strains. If the fall is bad enough, they might even suffer a fracture or a wound bad enough that requires stitches.
Liability in a Ceiling Collapse Accident
Article 301 of the New York City Construction Codes states that property owners and landlords must maintain a certain standard of maintenance for their buildings. The building owner is responsible to keep compliant with the city building code. Unfortunately, not all owners and parties involved in keeping the property safe are responsible enough to conduct regular maintenance checks and quickly repair damages.
A landlord or owner may be negligent in repairing ceilings that are in need of maintenance. They may also hire a contractor or repairman to repair a ceiling problem, but the contractor may fail to do the job adequately. In such a situation, the contractor or the repairman can be held responsible for the ceiling’s collapse. This is in addition to the landlord or property owner being liable for any damages caused by the collapse. In some instances, damage may even be caused by the construction of the building itself if the construction company in which case the construction company may be liable.
Thus, there can be multiple parties who can be held liable for a ceiling collapse. Owners, contractors, landlords, and repairmen can be held responsible if a ceiling collapses and causes injuries and property damages. If it’s proven that the ceilings were inadequately constructed, used defective materials, or if minimum legal requirements were not fulfilled, construction companies may also be held liable. An experienced ceiling collapse attorney may be able to help you create a case that establishes the liability of different negligent parties.
How Can You Prove Negligence By a Property Owner?
You must prove negligence on the part of a property owner if you’ve experienced a collapsed ceiling and suffered injuries. Premises liability makes the landlord or property owner responsible if you can prove negligence. Property owners have a duty of care to ensure that their buildings are properly maintained in a reasonably safe manner so that residents, tenants, and visitors can remain safe.
If a landlord or property owner was aware of the potential risks of a ceiling collapse, they could be held liable for damages. An accident lawyer can help you prepare your lawsuit so that you can recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. They can help you prepare your claim if the property owner was negligent in the upkeep of your building
To speak with an experienced ceiling collapse lawyer, please contact us at your earliest convenience.
from Kucher Law https://www.rrklawgroup.com/what-causes-a-ceiling-to-collapse/
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