Q-I have always been afraid of the back porch and steps in the back of my apartment building. Last week there was an accumulation of ice and snow on the steps and I slipped, fell down the steps and broke my arm. Can I sue my landlord for my injuries?
A-The only way you will know is by consulting an attorney who concentrates in this area of the law.
The general rule is that a landlord will not be held responsible for removing natural accumulations of snow and ice. However, if he made any effort to clear the snow and ice, and did so incompletely or improperly, he may be liable for your injuries.
Your lawyer probably would check the basic construction of the stairway. Most building codes are fairly specific about how porches and stairways must be built, including stair width and height and railing height. If the stairway doesn’t meet the standards, it could have presented a dangerous condition that contributed to your injuries.
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Robert A. Boron, a Chicago attorney who specializes in leasing matters, writes about landlord and tenant issues for the Tribune. Questions to him can be addressed to Rental Q&A, Your Place section, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611. Sorry, but he cannot make personal replies.
