Stairway Accident Attorney in Philadelphia
Defective or broken stairways are a common cause of serious injuries. Falling from a broken step or stair can have devastating consequences physically and financially.
Poor construction of stairways is a significant factor in injuries that occur while walking up and down the stairs. If you have been injured as the result of a broken or defective stairway then you should consider contacting a stairway accident attorney.
An experienced attorney in Philadelphia can help you obtain compensation for the pain and suffering that you have endured. The law dictates that an individual who has been injured due to dangerous conditions prevailing on a particular property due to the owner’s negligence is entitled to get fair compensation for damages.
Common Injuries
Even though walking up and down a flight of stairs may seem routine to most people, this activity brings with it a number of hazards that can lead to injury.
For example, when stairs are not properly maintained, they can become loose and cause you to slip. Or, if the handrail is too low or missing altogether, falling down a flight of stairs becomes a very real possibility.
A fall down a staircase can have devastating consequences. Minor injuries are common, but major injuries are not too rare when falling down stairs.
A minor injury includes sprains, bruises, strains, scrapes, and minor cuts. However, major injuries can include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and deep lacerations.
Can you sue for falling down the stairs?
The answer is yes, you can sue for falling down the stairs. Although this is an unfortunate situation to be in, it may be possible to sue your landlord for negligence due to poor or dangerous conditions of the stairs.
Negligence may include anything from improperly maintained stairs to failure of proper warning signs of slippery/wet areas on the staircase. If you are able to sue for negligence, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.
However, if the stairs were in perfect condition and you fell because of your own mistake, then the property owner cannot be held responsible for your injuries.
Reasons for Dangerous Falls
You may be able to walk with ease on a flight of stairs when they are in proper, safe condition. However, when a stairway is damaged for example, it can lead to a fall.
The most common causes of falls due to stairs or steps include:
- Broken railing: The hand railing that usually accompanies a staircase is used to help you balance while going up or down the stairs. This handrail is a necessary part of the staircase and also must be kept in good working condition. When a landowner fails to keep the stairway railing in working order and a person is injured, compensation for pain and suffering may be obtained for the victim.
- Snow and ice fall: People are often injured on stairways when falling on snow and ice. It is required that a landowner appropriately clear and maintain stairways clear of snow and ice. Once again, compensation may be available to anyone who is injured as the result of a landowner’s failure to remove snow and ice on time.
- Defective stairways: Just because a stairway looks fine, does not mean that it has been built appropriately. Standards for stairway construction and design exist that mandate that stairways are created safely. These regulations govern everything from how high a step may be to how much depth must be provided on each stair.
The applicable regulations set forth requirements for every part of the stair building. They are in place to ensure that you, the ordinary citizen, are protected from unsafe stairways.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a fall accident due to faulty stairs, contact a Philadelphia stairway accident attorney to evaluate your case.
Filing a Stairway Accident Lawsuit
It is difficult to think of anything more routine than walking up or down stairs. However, when you are hurt due to someone’s negligence in maintaining their property, the experience becomes far less trivial.
Whether you were hurt in a home or in an office building, contacting an experienced lawyer can help you determine what recourse you have against the proper parties. If you are injured badly from falling down the stairs, you may be able to file a claim for personal injury. This claim will be based on the premises liability.
The person who will be liable is the owner of the property if the fall is due to the property owner’s negligence. The property owner will typically be liable in cases where there were no reasonable warning signs of any danger on the property.
For example, if the stairs are broken or the floors are wet or there is a slippery area, then the owner should have reasonable warning signs indicating danger.
How Can A Philadelphia Stairway Accident Attorney Help You?
Many people take for granted the simple task of walking up or down a flight of stairs without thinking about how this can turn out to be a dangerous activity.
However, for those who find themselves injured due to an accident caused by faulty stairs, they know just how important it is to contact an experienced stairway accident lawyer.
An experienced Philadelphia premises liability lawyer will review your case and determine if you have a claim to compensation.
In the event that it is determined that an individual or company is responsible for your fall, a personal injury lawsuit may be appropriate in order to cover the costs associated with medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.
If you have been injured while using the stairs, you are not alone. Many people injure themselves on stairs every day, we can help you. Call us now at the Law Offices of Samuel Fishman.