Balcony Collapse

Property managers and property owners have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure that their property is safe for guests. This includes keeping balconies, decks, porches, and other areas on their premises in a safe and sturdy condition. Many balcony collapses that happen could be prevented by following weight restrictions and building code rules, performing ongoing maintenance, and having routine inspections. 

One of the leading reasons that a balcony collapses is too much weight. Porches, decks, and balconies are all designed to support a maximum amount of weight. If an owner or property manager doesn't understand these restrictions or doesn’t limit the number of individuals standing on the balcony, a guest or multiple guests may be injured. 

Other leading reasons for balcony collapses include rotted or worn materials like old wood or rusted screws, design or structural problems, inadequate railings or supports, or a defective foundation.

Premises liability law in most states claims that owners and managers of property must exercise reasonable care to repair dangerous conditions, maintain the property, routinely inspect the balcony, or provide appropriate warnings about dangerous conditions. 

When a balcony or deck collapses and causes someone to suffer injuries, this may be the result of a failure to take reasonable care on the owner's part. A premises liability lawsuit may be appropriate when an owner of a property fails to build or care for a balcony, the balcony collapses as a result, and a person suffers injuries.

Many balcony collapse accidents happen at the homes of friends for families. It may be difficult for you to consider filing a lawsuit against someone because of a balcony collapse on their property, but most homeowners insurance policies will be able to pay you the compensation you deserve if you find yourself dealing with these circumstances. 

Recovering compensation by filing a balcony collapse lawsuit may be your only opportunity to pay your medical bills and to move forward with your life. Although it can be challenging to think about these necessary action steps in the midst of trying to get medical treatment for your injuries, it is extremely important to find a law firm with the right experience and resources to help you.

It is not always the case that a balcony collapse is a result of improper maintenance or repair. The construction itself may be called into question as your balcony collapse lawyer looks into the situation. 

When a deck or balcony is not constructed well to begin with, it can collapse, causing life-threatening injuries. Both balconies and decks are typically supported by cantilevers that are fixed at only one end and are made up of a long projecting girder or beam. Anytime a cantilever fails, the structure cannot support the weight on top of it, leading to a collapse. 

There are many other construction issues that could contribute to a balcony collapse, such as the use of the wrong nails or screws, failure of the balcony base material, improper beam securing to the structure itself, improper attachment to an office, house, or apartment building, poor quality of metal, wood, or other construction materials, or potential building code violations.

Beyond construction defects, other possible factors can contribute to a balcony collapse. Water damage is one example of another issue that may not be detected easily. Water can cause both rot and dry rot, which can weaken the underlying strength of boards. Metal can also rust because of significant water damage. Water damage can also weaken the beams that support balconies. 

Collapse is nearly inevitable without the necessary support. A lack of routine inspections can let these unseen issues continue to worsen. Ongoing inspections are necessary to ensure that a structure is safe and that it is holding up well based on its current location and weight restrictions. Whether this is at a business or a person's private residence, the owner of a balcony may be responsible for the safety of others on the deck.

Deck and balcony collapses have caused thousands of injuries and numerous deaths throughout the country. While these kinds of incidents and injuries do not occur as commonly as things like car accidents, they still have far-reaching consequences. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we don’t take these situations lightly. For over 35 years, we have fought for personal injury victims who have had their lives altered due to the carelessness of a negligent person. We have recovered over $20 billion for our clients, and we may be able to help you, too.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.