Philadelphia Falling Down Stairs Accident Lawyers
Falling down stairs typically results in some of the worst types of injuries possible. Head injuries, broken bones and spine injuries are common. While many people think a fall down the stairs is just that, a fall, there are two types of stair fall accidents those resulting from a slip and fall caused by an accumulation of liquid of some kind, and trip and fall accident, usually the result of a defect.
If you or a loved one were injured by falling down stairs, you might be eligible to seek financial compensation for your injuries if it can be proven that the business or individual(s) who own and/or maintain the staircase was negligent in maintaining it.
Who Is Liable in a Falling Down Stairs Accident
Property owners are legally responsible for maintaining their property and keep it safe for users who have a right to be there. This includes commercial property owners, private property and private residences.
Some people might be concerned about suing a family member if the stairway fall accident happened on their property. However, you are not suing your loved one. All homeowners have property or home insurance that pays for claims, not the loved one. If you fell at work, you may be able to sue your employer because they must maintain a safe work environment by ensuring the premises meet safety regulations. If you fell at a rental property, an experienced stairway fall injury lawyer examines the terms of the rental agreement. You may be able to sue the landlord for not maintaining the property in a safe condition. If you fell at a business or a store, you may have a claim against the store owner and possibly the property owner/landlord.
Causes of Falls Down Stairs
Falling down stairs can happen at any time. However, if the stairs are defective or not well maintained, accidents are inevitable. Stairway fall accidents due to defective or not maintained stairs can be caused by:
- Broken and/or missing steps
- The collapse of the stair structure
- Irregular heights in riser/tread heights
- Steps missing pieces
- No slip resistance materials,
- Tattered material or carpeting
- Cracked or uneven stairs
- No warning signs of possible hazardous stairway conditions
- No handrails or broken handrails
- Not enough lighting
- Narrow or steep stairs
- Loose or rotting stair boards
- No proper foot grip on stairs
- Debris on the stairs
- Water gathering due to a defective design
Injuries Sustained in Falls Down Stairs
According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, over 1 million Americans are injured on stairs every year. National Safety Council (NSC) statistics reveal that every year stairway accidents cause over one million injuries and 12,000 deaths. Half of those deaths occur in the home.
Common injuries from falling down stairs may include:
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Compressed or slipped discs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Dislocations
- Sprains, strains
- Facial fractures
- Back and neck injuries
- Shattered bones
- Compound fractures in wrists and hands
- Lacerations and/or deep contusions
When someone falls down the stairs, they may not see anything that looks like a defect and may conclude the fall was their fault. Speak to an experienced stairway fall attorney, because often a fall down stairs is not the person’s fault but was caused by defective stairs.
How to Win a Down Stairs Fall Accident Case
To win a stairway fall accident that results from defective stairs means it must be proven that the building’s owner knew or should have known about the defect but did nothing to fix it.
Winning a stairway fall accident that results from debris on the stairs is trickier and more complex than a defective stairway fall case. The major issue in these cases is that trash or water on stairs does not always remain there, and it is difficult to prove the owner knew or should have known about the problem. No two stairway fall accidents are alike. Facts determine the success of a case.
Contact the Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys
If you or someone you love was injured in a fall down stairs, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The highly experienced stairway fall attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer can discuss your case and explain your legal rights. Speaking with one of our attorneys is the first step to obtaining fair and equitable compensation for any injuries sustained in your stairway fall.
Slip and fall or slip, trip and fall accidents down stairs can happen at any time, anywhere. It is not the fault of the injured victim that the accident occurred. Often the property owner or manager is liable for the accident and resulting injuries. If you were injured in a slip, trip and fall, you may be eligible for compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
The attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer are here to help you win your lawsuit. They provide consistently high-quality legal representation and keep you informed, going the extra mile to get the compensation you need and deserve.
MyPhillyLawyer offers free consultations to discuss your case. There are no up-front fees to work with us, and if we do not win your case, you pay nothing. Call 215-227-2727 to see how we can help you and your family.
