Our client, a tenant in a Mecklenburg County apartment building, had to navigate dark, unlit stairwells for months despite repeated complaints and work orders. One night, while holding the railing, she missed a step and suffered a catastrophic hip injury requiring a full replacement. The apartment complex initially offered $27,000, far below the seriousness of her injury and its lasting impact.
Through depositions, inspection records, and expert testimony, we showed that the lights had been inoperable for an extended period, that the complex had notice of the hazard, and that basic safety requirements were ignored. A jury agreed, awarding $1.75 million in compensatory and punitive damages. This case underscores that apartment complexes have a duty to maintain safe common areas and will be held accountable when they fail to do so.
