Porches are ideal areas of the house where one can go and relax with friends and family or just catch some rays of sunshine and fresh air while sipping on a cold drink or cup of hot coffee. Porches can be simple and unassuming or elaborate and feature things like a jacuzzi, a lounge area, some potted plants, and even a grill or outdoor kitchen. Porches tend to be smaller in certain parts of a city depending on the size of the house, and they are elevated from the ground using stilts that are supposed to withstand heavy loads and frequent usage. However, porches, especially in rental properties, are often neglected because landlords pay attention to the interior rather than the exterior. Additionally, seasonal weather changes can present veritable injury risks to tenants and their loved ones. According to premises liability law, codified under personal injury law, tenants are owed a duty of care by their landlords to be kept safe at all times and be notified of any hazards reasonably and within a timely manner so they can take the appropriate steps to protect themselves from harm and injury. Should a landlord, or even a contractor in the case of homeowners, breach this duty of care, leading to the tenant or homeowner suffering injuries, it may be possible to file a claim to recover money damages. With the help of an experienced porch collapse law firm, you can achieve justice, compensation, and closure for your family, and we’re here to facilitate that.

Are you looking for the best porch collapse and injuries law firm? Please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. For over 25 years, the experienced and compassionate premises liability injury lawyers at McCready Law have been committed to helping ordinary Americans from all walks of life recover compensation after getting injured by the intentional or negligent actions of other individuals or entities. The McCready Law difference lies in the fact that we are not afraid to litigate claims if we believe that doing so will net you a higher compensation amount particularly if your injuries or the level of negligence justifies us taking your case to trial. In contrast, over 90 percent of all law firms handling these cases opt to take the insurance company settlement negotiations route which tends to be faster and more convenient, but which more often than not nets lower compensation amounts as insurance companies are not in the business of paying out claims in a fair and equitable manner. Porch collapse injury lawsuits are taken up on contingency fee basis, meaning there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of the processing of your claim, as we will only levy our fees at the end of the suit, and only if we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. We take on a countrywide clientele, so you can call us regardless of where you are, and we run a bilingual office (hablamos Espanol). If you or a loved one were injured when your porch collapsed and you believe that some form of negligence was the proximate cause, please give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 for your 100% FREE legal consultation into all things porch collapse injury claims – our intake team is standing by.

How and Why Porches Collapse

Due to the fact that the vast majority of porches are made from natural wood, inclement weather and weather changes in general can have a deleterious effect on the longevity and integrity of these structures. During the rainy season, water may seep into the wood, leading to wood rot which is usually not apparent until it is too late. This is because when wood rots, it typically does so from the inside out, making it seem as if all is well. However, you may notice things like soft spots, discoloration or a musty smell, which are classic tell-tale signs of wood rot and consequent damage.

Other signs of porch wood damage include the following:

• Spongy areas on the porch surface
• Mildew or visible mold which may appear black or brown in color
• The porch may make creaking noises when stepped on

It is imperative to note that property owners are legally responsible for these porches, and to this end, must carry our inspections and maintenance on a regular basis in order to prevent complete porch collapse and resultant injuries.

Snow and Winter Season Associated With Increased Risk of Porch Collapse

The other issue associated with porches and their safety as it relates to inclement weather is the seasonal change accompanied with winter. In states that experience heavy snowfall, accumulated snow has the potential to damage a porch in just a few short weeks. During the design of a porch, engineers determine the load they can support, and should this load limit or threshold be exceeded, structural failure may occur. What most tenants and property owners aren’t aware of is that snow can actually weigh anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds per cubic foot and with its accumulation, it can easily go over a porch’s load-bearing capacity. To this end, homeowners and landlords should endeavor to shovel snow from porches during winter regularly to prevent buildup, use a roof rake to remove snow from the roof so it doesn’t fall onto the porch, and inform renters to do the same so they are made aware of some of the safety protocol during wintertime in order to maintain a porch’s structural integrity.

Some of the preventative measures that may prevent roof collapses landlords can effect include:

• Regular inspection of their porches, which must happen at a minimum twice a year, with one inspection in the spring, and the other in the fall which should focus on structural integrity, moisture damage and wear and tear
• Landlords and home owners should also should carry out repairs and maintenance on a regular basis or once issues are identified, and this can include things like sealing cracks and gaps to prevent water from getting into the wood, replacing damaged supports and rotting wood, as well as clearing out drainage systems
• Homeowners and landlords should also endeavor to educate occupants or tenants on the risks associated with porch use particularly during seasons that are associated with heavy rainfall and snow, with succinct guidelines being provided on how to remove snow, timely reporting of structural issues as well as the weight limits so that the tenant can take measures to protect themselves and their loved ones in a preemptive manner

Best Countrywide Porch Collapse Injury Lawsuit Attorneys – Call Us Today!

Porch collapses can lead to broken bones due to fall from heights, spinal injuries, impalement if a piece of the porch lands on someone falling from the porch, head injuries, lacerations, soft tissue injuries as well as internal bleeding and organ damage. Porch collapses don’t just happen out of the blue; more often than not, some form of negligence precipitated the event. To this end, you may be eligible for compensation via damages for things like the cost of medical care, lost wages due to taking time off work to recover, pain and suffering on account of the injuries you sustained and the emotional and physical pain you had to endure, rehabilitation costs, loss of consortium, and even legal fees, to name but a few. If you or a loved one was injured due to a porch collapse anywhere in the country, please give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about the true value of your claim. Remember, the call is 100% FREE, and there is no legal obligation. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.