Structural issues in any building present dangers to people living, working, or shopping. Damage to the ceiling of a building can lead to parts of the ceiling, duct work, and electrical equipment falling onto innocent people below. But the dangers of a structurally-compromised building come not only from above: they can come from below, too. A severely damaged floor can collapse, potentially leading to injuries and giving pests an open door to invade your house.

Many houses, in particular older ones, have floors reinforced with wooden beams. The beams both support the floor and provide a bit of distance between the house and the ground. Like all wooden structures, however, these timbers are susceptible to termites and rotting. It can take a long time for the beams in a house’s floor to break down to the point of collapse, so the signs can be difficult to spot. In some cases there might not even be any signs before a pressure or shock leads to a beam breaking.

However, it is possible to take measures to avoid floor collapse. By having a building’s foundation inspected by a professional and paying attention to any apparent weakness in the floor, you can discover any damage to the floor before it becomes dangerous. The floor need not collapse all the way, either: even just a hole in the floor can provide a gateway for insects, rodents, and other pests to make themselves at home in your house or workplace.

People who rent their home should be sure to report structural faults to their landlords as soon as possible. Landlords have a responsibility to make sure their buildings are taken care of and do not pose safety risks to tenants. The type of damage that leads to floor collapse tends to happen over time, giving landlords ample opportunity to find any faults and reducing the liability of tenants. A landlord who fails to take proper care of a property, leading to an injury, can be held liable.

If you or someone you love have been injured because of a floor or other structural fault in a building, and think someone might be liable, the experienced Chicago injury lawyers of Friedman & Bonebrake can work with you to help you get restitution for your unnecessary suffering. To discuss your case with a lawyer, contact Friedman & Bonebrake today.