Indianapolis Porch Collapse Attorneys
In the summer of 2003, a Chicago apartment building suffered from a massive porch collapse. This tragedy resulted in a dozen deaths and over 50 more people sustained injuries, some that were serious in nature. It was and still remains the worst porch accident to occur in America. Porches can be a great place for people to assemble during a party, to escape a warm or stuffy apartment, or to just enjoy a moment of silence alone. Most homes have one in either the front or back. However, when porches are poorly constructed or poorly maintained, dangerous and damaging accidents are likely to occur—especially if the porch (or balcony) is not located on the first floor.
If you have been injured due to a porch or balcony collapse, there is a good chance that you will accumulate significant medical bills and are suffering greatly if serious injuries were sustained. If this accident took place on someone else’s property, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden of this accident. Contact the Indianapolis porch collapse attorneys of Hankey Marks & Crider at (317) 634-8565 to secure the representation you need to win your personal injury lawsuit.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Porch accidents can be tricky and complicated to deal with, especially if you are currently suffering from one. With any porch or balcony collapse accidents, there is a high chance that you will suffer from physical injuries or damages. And the higher up they are located, the worse the injuries will most likely be. These accidents can also on occasion be deadly and of the utmost seriousness. Whether you are filing for a premises liability claim or a personal injury claim, you will want to hire an attorney in order to get the most compensation for your damages. You may attempt to represent yourself, but in the end, a lawyer is the way to go if you want maximum benefits and payment. They will know how to appropriately and efficiently handle your case and help ensure you receive the justice you deserve for the pain and suffering you have had to endure. An attorney will also have access to resources you may not and be able to gather together all of the necessary evidence for your case to be deemed as strong as possible. The attorneys of Hankey Marks & Crider understand that when you are dealing with something as significant as a porch or balcony collapse injury, you want your case to be in the best, most capable hands possible. This is why it is always a good idea to hire a representative with the skills needed to do an unparalleled job.
Causes of Porch / Balcony Collapse
A balcony or porch collapse can be caused by a number of different factors—all of which can lead to serious injury or even death in some cases. Some of the most common causes of porch collapse include:
- Failure within initial porch/balcony construction
- Insufficient, or a complete lack of, regular upkeep and maintenance
- Excessive occupancy or crowding (resulting in too much weight)
- Too much weight due to furniture, air conditioning compressors, or other appliances
- Rotten wood from years of rain and snow
- Weak, damaged or rotted staircases and railings
- Weak, damaged or rotted supports
- Rusty nails and/or fasteners or hinges
- Failure to adhere to modern day building standards (in older buildings)
If you have been injured in a porch or balcony collapse due to any of the above reasons, you may be in a position to claim damages for your accident. The Indianapolis porch collapse lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider will fight to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Who is Liable?
If you are filing for a premises liability case, it is important to find out who exactly is liable in your unique situation and why. The liability for a porch/balcony accident that you were involved in may potentially fall on a few different parties. These might include but are not limited to:
- The owner or renter of the property on which the accident occurred
- The builder who constructed the porch or balcony
- The maintenance crew contracted to do regular inspections and fixes
It may be difficult to pin it on anyone specific party. The building or property in question may be owned by the city in which it resides, or by a sole owner. However, if you are injured as a result of a collapsed porch or balcony, you are most likely going to have more luck against the party that constructed or installed the faulty porch, rather than the party that is actually renting or owns the property in question. Your lawyer will be able to determine which is the best route to go, who exactly to pursue, and how to pursue them and their fault effectively to ensure that you are getting the fairest monetary compensation.
Why You Should Choose Hankey Marks & Crider
The attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider are all very versed in porch and balcony accidents, as we have been serving clients who have been affected by them for years. Our lawyers have 75 years of experience between them, which is the experience it takes to go after all of the compensation and justice that you and your injuries are entitled to. We fully understand the amount of pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, that comes along with the injuries of you or a loved one. And we know just how frustrating and unfair it is when it was simply the result of somebody else’s negligence. We here at Hankey Marks & Crider are determined to get on board and fight for your rights and the payment you deserve, and will go forward aggressively and diligently to ensure you receive it. The sooner you call us, the sooner you can get on back on track to a better future, just as you deserve.
Contact Us
We understand you may be confused and still have further questions regarding your case or even what to do to get started. If you are injured by a porch/balcony collapse on someone else’s property, you need to make sure that you speak with a legal professional as soon as possible to build a strong legal case. Contact the Indianapolis porch collapse lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider today at (317) 634-8565 to discuss your situation with an experienced legal professional.