Approximately 8.9 million people in the United States suffer injuries in slip and fall accidents every year, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). A significant portion of those slips, trips and falls occur on stairs. Falls on stairs can cause particularly devastating injuries because people who fall on stairs often hit their bodies in multiple places. Furthermore, if someone falls face-first down the stairs, they usually have no way to stop themselves. Not only can such falls be extremely frightening, but may also cause permanent disabilities or even death. If you have been injured by a fall on the stairs because of negligent property conditions, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and should contact an experienced Fayette County slip and fall accident lawyer as soon as possible for help.
Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors and free from dangerous conditions or hazards, including stairways. Common causes of falls on stairs include:
- Loose or weak stairs that do not meet building codes
- Slippery surfaces, including worn carpet or smooth wood
- Stairs that collect excess water, ice, or snow
- Stairs that are too steep, not deep enough, or that are generally uneven
- Unstable or otherwise broken handrails
Stairways can be particularly dangerous because hazards or dangers may not be readily noticeable by visitors. For example, if a stair is loose or weak, a visitor would not know that until they stepped on the stair. At that point, it may be too late to prevent a fall and the resulting injuries.
Contact a Fayette County Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
Stairway fall cases are different than slip and fall cases on level ground. An experienced slip and fall accident attorney at Shane Smith Law knows how to handle stairway cases and will work to get you the settlement you deserve. Call us today at (980) 246-2656.