May is Building Safety Month, and it’s a great time to remember the importance of safe office buildings. Building Safety Month was created by the International Code Council (ICC) to raise awareness of what it takes to design, build, and maintain safe buildings. The ICC works towards educating the public on the importance of compliance with, enforcement of, and the development of safe building codes.
Building owners, designers, and builders have a responsibility to ensure that their office buildings are safe and constructed and maintained in compliance with all applicable building codes. If they fail to adhere to this duty then an office building can become a dangerous place where people can become seriously injured.
Common Issues in New York City Office Buildings
When office buildings are not compliant with building codes, a number of unsafe conditions can arise, including:
- Old windows—if windows in an office building are older and have not been replaced, they can become dangerous. Windows can fall out, collapse, or crack and cause serious injury
- Leaks—plumbing or other systems in a building that are not properly constructed and maintained can lead to dangerous leaks which can result in slip and fall accidents or ceiling collapses
- Unsafe elevators—elevators that are not properly maintained or inspected or that have been negligently installed can lead to deadly consequences
- Unsafe staircases—staircases that are designed in an unsafe manner or not maintained by a building owner can lead to broken and unsafe conditions that can cause injury
- Fire hazards—poor or substandard wiring in an office building can become a fire hazard. Inadequate smoke detectors, fire alarms, extinguishers, and fire exist can also be an issue.
What to do If You Notice an Unsafe Condition?
If you notice a condition in your office building that appears to be unsafe, it is important that you report it to the building owner or management company in writing as soon as possible. In order to be held responsible for an unsafe condition, the building owner must have notice of the condition so they can take steps to repair it. If you’ve been injured by a dangerous condition, you should also file a complaint in writing.
Contact an Experienced New York Attorney
If you’ve been injured due to a dangerous condition in your office building, you should have an experienced attorney evaluate your case. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience helping injured New Yorkers. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español