In many communities, dealing with old buildings is a major part of public health and safety administration. Charlottesville is no different.
The Daily Progress reports from late January show how the Landmark Hotel near the city’s downtown mall is becoming a liability for locals. Reports show after talking to city attorneys, the city council formally requested an action plan from the city manager that will determine how public officials deal with this aging edifice.
Danger: Falling Objects
Part of the hazard around the Landmark Hotel stems from an incident early in the year where loose debris fell from the hotel building onto the roof of the CVS building nearby, causing minor damage. As if that weren’t enough, public officials talked about a door frame swinging on one hinge from a side of the building and evaluated the Landmark in a discussion of blighted and shuttered commercial buildings in Charlottesville.
“We cannot oversimplify this issue and cannot be careless,” said Charlottesville’s mayor, Mike Signer. “We are proceeding into legal territory. I want to state this to Charlottesville: The best outcome still is if the current owner gets this done himself. It’d be the least costly and most efficient. He owns it. It was supposed to be a hotel.”
Now, the city is working on condemning the building or otherwise fixing the issue.
Empty buildings aren’t just an eyesore — they can be real threats to community health. From the insect and rodent infestation of these buildings, to poorly maintained structures that can fall, to empty shelters for illegal and illicit behavior, vacant buildings put strain on the community. There are any number of situations where an injury can occur in or around one of these properties, and that’s why it makes sense that public planners look at them closely and try to mitigate risk.
Personal injury lawyers understand these risks. They understand the risks around any kind of business or commercial property, as well as the specific challenges of maintaining buildings that have become vacant. They also understand the responsibilities of business owners and managers who have a duty to the public to make sure that residents are protected from unsafe situations that may result from having a building stand empty.
In a typical personal injury case, that’s what personal injury lawyers do. They look for third-party responsibility and make sure that their clients don’t lose out after suffering an injury because of someone else’s mistakes. They help injury victims pursue compensation for the cost of care and recovery, and they give their clients a voice in local courts. Whether the injury happens in a vacant building or in a bustling store, the principle remains the same – injury victims deserve money to help pay for medical bills and more.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
Call Our Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you or someone in your family has been hurt in the Albermarle county area, contact the injury lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. to get caring and professional legal advice and representation. Let us help you assess your case and determine your legal options before heading to court.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
