Property owners have a responsibility to their guests, employees, and residents to properly inspect and maintain their buildings and grounds, including structures like porches, decks, and balconies. Porches left without the necessary repairs can develop dangerous structural deficiencies, putting them at risk for collapse. A porch collapse can cause serious injuries for both those on and underneath the structure, especially in cases where the porch is significantly elevated. However, victims of porch collapse accidents in Arkansas can turn to the Cottrell Law Office for help with understanding their legal rights and options when it comes to premises liability accidents such as porch, deck, or balcony collapses.

Property Owner Negligence and Porch Collapse

Sadly, porch collapse accidents are often completely preventable, as property owners should take steps to address potential causes of porch collapse before a catastrophe happens. If property owners or managers ignore the following issues, they can lead to devastating and even deadly collapses:

  • Rusted support bolts, cables, or connectors
  • Rotten wood
  • Improper construction or maintenance
  • Lack of adequate inspections
  • Allowing too many people or too much weight on a porch
  • Failing to clear a porch in weather conditions that can interfere with the stability of the structure, such as high winds

Porch collapses can lead to serious injuries including brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and broken bones. However, the negligent property owner at fault for the unsafe porch, deck, or balcony may be obligated to cover the costs of these injuries, such as medical bills and lost wages.

Learn More From a Porch Collapse Lawyer in Arkansas

If you or someone you love has sustained an injury in a porch collapse caused by a property owner’s careless behavior, you may be legally entitled to pursue financial compensation for your damages. For more information about your options when filing a premises liability claim in Arkansas, contact an attorney from the Cottrell Law Office by calling 800-364-8305 today.