A Virginia Beach woman is suing Liberty Military Housing, a property management company that provides homes to military families and personnel, after a garage door in her residence fell and injured her.

In September 2023, Tiffany Smith described what she called one of the scariest moments of her life. The garage door in her home suddenly came off the tracks and struck her in the neck.

Tiffany and her husband, Anthony, claim that before the incident they had repeatedly informed Liberty Military Housing that their garage door was malfunctioning and required maintenance. According to their lawsuit, the garage door was improperly repaired, which apparently caused it to come off the tracks and injure Tiffany.

“That moment I heard a cord snap from above,” Tiffany recalled. “And as soon as I just shifted a smidge to look up, that’s when it came down and hit me right in the neck.”

Based on Tiffany’s description, it is possible that a garage door cable snapped and came off the pulley on one side, causing the heavy door to shift and derail from its tracks.

The couple says Tiffany has suffered severe and permanent injuries, limiting her ability to function as a mother and wife. They also allege that their attempts to get help from Liberty Military Housing after the accident were ignored.

Local news outlet 13NewsNow reported that Liberty Military Housing issued the following written statement:

“Liberty responds to all maintenance requests and completes them promptly in accordance with Virginia law. When necessary, we engage specialized vendors to maintain systems or perform required repairs. Our employee-owners work diligently every day to provide residents with quality homes and communities that meet or exceed state standards. We are aware of the Smiths’ allegations and will review the basis for their claims when they are formally presented. As this is an active court case, we cannot provide further comment on the specific details, which the Smiths have not yet presented to Liberty.”

Cutting Costs on Garage Door Repairs Puts Residents in Danger

While no formal evidence of negligence has been established in this case, some property management companies often cut corners with garage door maintenance. In many cases, they use unlicensed or underqualified handymen who perform only minimal repairs to reduce costs, which can create safety hazards for residents.

Avoiding Problems When Your Garage Door Isn’t Working Properly

Tiffany’s case highlights how a seemingly minor issue, such as a misplace or broken garage door cable, can escalate into a major safety hazard resulting in serious injuries. If your garage door is malfunctioning, here are steps you should take:

Stop Using the Door Immediately

If your garage door is making unusual noises, looks uneven, or isn’t opening or closing smoothly, stop using it right away to avoid further damage or injury.

Report the Issue in Writing

Contact your property management company or landlord in writing (email, text, or certified letter) to document the problem. Be clear about the issue and request urgent repair.

Request a Licensed Professional

Specifically ask that a licensed garage door technician handle the repair. Garage doors are heavy, spring-loaded systems that can cause serious injuries if handled incorrectly.

Follow Up and Keep Records

If the property management company doesn’t respond promptly, follow up in writing. Keep copies of all emails, texts, or letters as evidence.

Consider Fixing the Garage Door

If management continues to delay or ignore repairs, it may be worth hiring a licensed garage door repair company yourself and keeping the receipt. While this can be an out-of-pocket expense, it’s far less costly than risking a serious or permanent injury to you or your loved ones.

Escalate if Necessary

If your concerns are ignored:

• Contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization.
• File a complaint with the state consumer protection office.
• If you are military housing resident, escalate the issue through your chain of command or the Military Housing Office.

Consider Legal Action

If you are injured because of poor maintenance, consult an attorney who specializes in premises liability or tenant rights.

When it comes to the safety and security of your home, always make sure to hire a qualified, licensed professional for repairs. While hiring an unlicensed handyman might save a little money upfront, the risk of serious injury and potential liability far outweighs the short-term savings. A licensed garage door technician has the training, tools, and experience to properly service complex overhead door systems and address underlying issues that could cause a heavy garage door to fail.