"When I was injured due to inadequate security at a retail center in Columbus, I felt completely lost. This firm quickly stepped in, investigated the facts, and held the property owner accountable for their negligence. They treated my case with dignity and professionalism, securing a settlement that covered my medical bills and lost wages. I highly recommend them for any crime-related injury on someone else's property."
Injury Due To Unstable Balconies or Railings: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
Free Consultation
Ohio Injury Due To Unstable Balconies or Railings: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Injury Due To Unstable Balconies or Railings that Give Way throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Defective Property Condition Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Collapsed Balcony & Railing Injury Lawyers: Premises Liability for Structural Failure
A balcony or railing that suddenly gives way or collapses is a terrifying event that almost always leads to catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord trauma, paralysis, and wrongful death. These failures are typically not "acts of God," but the direct consequence of negligence—often involving deferred maintenance, wood rot, metal corrosion, or failure to adhere to mandatory building codes.
In Ohio, property owners, landlords, and property managers have a legal duty of care to ensure balconies, decks, and railings are safe for tenants and guests. If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury because an unstable balcony or railing failed, our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team will launch an immediate investigation to hold the negligent parties accountable under Ohio Premises Liability law.
Landlord and Owner Liability for Structural Defects in Ohio
Ohio law imposes a high standard on property owners to maintain structures like balconies and railings, particularly for invitees (tenants, customers, and business guests) who are owed the highest duty of care. Our claims focus on demonstrating the owner's breach of duty:
R.C. § 5321.04: Landlord Duty to Repair
For rental properties, Ohio Revised Code § 5321.04 obligates landlords to make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition. This specifically includes keeping common areas like apartment balconies, decks, and railing systems safe and sanitary. A failure to repair visible signs of wear, rot, or instability on a railing or support beam is a breach of this statutory duty, which can establish negligence per se.
Common Law Premises Liability
For all property types, we must prove the owner had superior knowledge—either actual or constructive notice—of the structural defect. This means the defect (e.g., severe wood rot, rusted fasteners, or loose railings) existed for such a length of time that the owner should have known about it through reasonable, routine inspection, yet failed to repair the unstable railing or warn users.
- Building Code Violations: Violations of local or state building codes related to railing height, load capacity, and installation methods are powerful evidence used to demonstrate negligence.
Proving Fault: Collapsed Structure Investigation
In cases involving collapsed balconies or railings, critical evidence is often destroyed upon impact or quickly removed by the owner. Our firm acts swiftly to secure the scene and establish causation:
- Forensic Engineering: We retain structural engineers to conduct an immediate analysis of the failure point, determining whether the collapse was caused by improper construction, corrosion, or long-term decay due to neglected maintenance.
- Maintenance Records: We subpoena all maintenance logs, repair histories, inspection reports, and prior tenant or guest complaints to prove the owner had notice of the unstable condition.
- Identifying Responsible Parties: Liability may extend beyond the property owner to include the original builder/contractor (for construction defects) or a maintenance company (for negligent inspection/repair).
Damages and Ohio's Statute of Limitations (R.C. 2305.10)
Falls from unstable balconies or railings are often from significant heights, leading to devastating injuries. We fight tirelessly for full recovery of all damages, including:
- Current and Future Medical Expenses (Spinal Fusion, Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care)
- Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), and Multiple Fractures
- Lost Wages, Future Loss of Earning Capacity, and Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering, Emotional Distress, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Wrongful Death Damages (where applicable)
The statute of limitations for a Personal Injury lawsuit in Ohio (R.C. § 2305.10) is typically two years from the date of the balcony or railing failure. Do not wait to seek legal counsel, as time is of the essence in preserving the structural evidence necessary to prove your claim.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one were severely injured when an unstable balcony or railing gave way, contact us immediately. We understand the specific statutory and common law duties of property owners regarding structural safety in Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
What Our Clients Say
After prolonged exposure to toxic mold at my workplace, I started experiencing severe health issues. Proving the connection to the business's negligence felt impossible until I hired this firm. They were brilliant, connecting my health problems to the landlord's failure to address water damage. They gave me my health and my life back by securing a significant settlement. For mold-related injury cases, they are unparalleled."
"My accident at a poorly maintained apartment complex pool in Dayton was terrifying. I suffered a serious head injury. This law firm was incredible; they immediately started investigating the pool's safety records and maintenance log. Their work resulted in a successful claim against the property management. If you've been injured at a pool in Ohio, you want this firm on your side."
"The defective stairs at a restaurant in Toledo caused a significant knee injury. The property owner initially refused to pay, but this firm took on the challenge. They brought in experts to show the code violations and built an undeniable case. Thanks to their legal expertise, I received a fair settlement that allows me to focus on my recovery. They truly excel with cases involving unsafe property conditions."
"My child was tragically bitten by a dog at a neighbor's property in Akron. Navigating the aftermath and dealing with the owners was incredibly stressful. The team at this law firm was compassionate yet fiercely effective. They understood Ohio's dog bite laws thoroughly and fought to ensure my child received the necessary medical care and compensation for their trauma. They are the best dog bite attorneys in the state."
"I had a terrible slip and fall accident on a wet floor at a grocery store in Cincinnati that led to a serious fracture. The store tried to deny responsibility, but this firm's meticulous preparation and dedication proved the store's negligence. They were communicative throughout the entire process, making a stressful situation much easier to handle. Choose them if you need a top-notch slip and fall lawyer."
Home • Attorney • Contact Us • Crime Related Injury • Slip and Fall Injury • Dog Bite / Animal Attack • Property Condition Injury • Fire / Smoke Injury • Pool Injuries • Toxic / Environmental Injury • Other Injuries • What is Premise Lability? • Compensation
PH: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 • OFFICE LOCATION • 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220