I was Assaulted by My Landlord – What are My Rights?

As a renter, you expect to have occasional disagreements with your landlord or building management company. Late rent payments, failing to take care of hazards, and noise disturbances are just some of the issues that can cause friction between tenants and rental property owners. Alternatively, you may be facing more serious issues, like dealing with a landlord who is retaliating against you with an illegal eviction.

Regardless of what’s going on with you and your landlord, you have the right to be treated in a civil and respectful manner. That includes not being subjected to harassment, such as threats, intimidation, and physical assault. Sadly, assault and battery incidents are fairly common in situations where a landlord is looking to get rid of a tenant. Of course, there are perfectly legitimate reasons to give a tenant notice and ask them to vacate the premises. But tenants have rights as well under California law, and there are strict court procedures that landlords must follow when they are dealing with a renter.

At our law firm, we saw a dramatic increase in tenant-landlord disputes during the pandemic. It was not unusual at the time to hear from injury victims who would tell us that they were

assaulted by a landlord or apartment building manager. Though we have survived the worst of the COVID crisis, the resulting inflation and rent spikes continue to cause tension between property owners and the people that rent from them.

Were you physically assaulted by your landlord or someone from your apartment building management company? Are you being subjected to other forms of assault and harassment and need help from a lawyer with experience in tenant-landlord disputes? Contact the attorneys of Normandie to learn about your rights and legal options during a free consultation.

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

What are my Rights if My Landlord Beat Me Up?

First, it’s important to stress that any form of harassment and intimidation by a landlord is illegal under California law. This includes incidents of physical violence, like slapping, punching, kicking, shoving, and throwing something at a tenant. Therefore, if your landlord caused you injuries during an assault and battery incident, you are entitled to monetary damages for the harm you suffered.

Now, let’s switch gears a bit and talk about situations involving an apartment complex or apartment building. In these cases, there may be one owner or a group of owners. Alternatively, the building or complex is owned by a leasing or property management company. Thus, you are likely to deal with a representative of the owner, like a building manager. If things get heated between the two of you and you are assaulted by an employee of a property management company, you may be wondering, “Can I only go after the person that attacked me? Or, can I sue the owner of the apartment complex / building as well?”

Yes, you may be eligible for a lawsuit against the building owner under the principle of vicarious liability. However, we will need to discuss the details of your incident with you to determine who is liable for your injuries and figure out the best strategy to bring you justice from an assault and battery lawsuit. To schedule a free case review, contact us today. The renters’ rights lawyers of Normandie can represent you in any type of tenant-landlord dispute, including:

• Illegally locking you out of the apartment
• Harassing you with late night calls or other intimidation tactics
• Denying you basic utilities (cutting off water and heat for example)
• Failing to make adequate / necessary repairs
• Intentionally causing disruptions – late night noise disruptions, construction problems and other hazards  
• Tries to mislead or misinform you about your lease terms or California laws regarding tenants and landlords 

Injuries from being Assaulted by Your Landlord

A physical attack can leave anyone with catastrophic injuries, especially if the perpetrator uses a weapon (knife, baseball bat, gun, etc.). However, even shoving someone or throwing an object in their direction can lead to all sorts of serious injuries, such as:

• Deep lacerations
• Broken bones
• Skull fracture, brain injury, and other forms of head trauma
• Injury to the internal organs
• Broken or lost teeth, jaw fracture (dental damage)
• Joint dislocation
• Neck or spinal cord damage
• Permanent scars and other disfiguring injuries

Many assault and battery victims end up with permanent health issues, like paralysis and brain damage. That’s why you must see a doctor right away, as it will give you the best chance of recovery. Of course, medical treatments come at a heavy cost, not to mention rehabilitative services like mental health counseling. Then, there are the costs associated with your pain and suffering, lost wages, and other monetary damages. We can help you obtain compensation from an assault and battery injury claim against your landlord, so give us a call to learn about your rights and legal options.

Do I Need to Hire an Assault and Battery Lawsuit Attorney?

The law allows you to represent yourself as a victim of assault and battery, so the answer is no – you do not need to hire an attorney. But legal advice is crucial when you are seeking damages from a negligent party, as the burden of proof is entirely on you. Creating a strong and solid case is much harder than most people realize, and this is why it’s in your best interest to work with an assault and battery lawyer right from the start.

Along with aggressive representation, we are here to provide answers to any questions you have about your rights as an injury victim. These questions include, but are not limited to:

• How much is the average value of a lawsuit for assault and battery by a landlord or apartment building manager?
• What is the deadline to file a lawsuit for assault and battery in the state of California?
• How long does it take to get paid on these cases?
• I’m not happy with the current lawyer that’s handling my assault and battery claim. Should I switch lawyers? What are my legal options?

Lawyers with Experience in Assault and Battery Lawsuits

No tenant and landlord relationship is perfect, but no one should ever be in fear of their lives or suffer injuries from a physical assault. The law allows you to file charges and seek justice through the criminal courts, but what about the monetary losses you are left with? This is where a personal injury lawyer can be of help.

Our lawyers have decades of experience in complex cases involving illegal evictions, harassment from landlords, and other tenants’ rights lawsuits. We are ready to take immediate action on your behalf if you are eligible for an assault and battery compensation claim against your landlord or apartment management. We can also offer you a free second opinion if you have a claim that’s pending, but you have concerns or questions about your case.

If you decide to hire us after a free consultation, you pay nothing out of pocket, as we operate under the Zero Fee Guarantee. Under this policy, the only way we get paid is by winning your case and recovering the cost of legal fees from the defendant. That means there’s no risk to your finances in the event we don’t win your case.

The legal team of Normandie is standing by to take your call, so contact us at your earliest convenience if you are a tenant who was assaulted by your landlord or apartment building manager.

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Assault and Battery at a Pharmacy Lawsuit Lawyer
Can I Sue my Landlord for Water Leak in my Apartment?
Can I Sue my Apartment Complex or Landlord if I Tripped over Raised Carpeting?