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Slip and Fall: Faulty Stairs

It is a property owner’s duty to ensure that all stairwells in their establishment have adequate lighting, with sturdy handrails on both sides. It is also vital to ensure stairs are not slippery and to provide visible warning signs whenever stairs have been freshly mopped or waxed. Failing to do any of these things can result in someone slipping, tripping and falling down the stairs. For obvious reasons, falling down the stairs versus falling on a flat surface can result in more devastating injuries, especially for senior citizens who have more fragile bones and are more prone to serious injury. In many cases, these types of slip and fall accidents can be deadly.

Have you lost someone in a slip and fall accident? You may be entitled to monetary compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. Contact our personal injury lawyers today for more information.

Falling down the stairs can result in:

• Miscarriage
• Sprains
• Back problems
• Bone fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Paralysis
• Death

Additionally, property owners must ensure that all of the steps in a staircase have visible edges and the same amount of depth and rise. They must also be free of obstacles and debris, which are other causes of slip and fall accidents. Although it is important to always take caution when walking down steep areas such as stairways, some conditions are out of peoples’ hands and could have easily been prevented if the property owner took all the necessary safety precautions.

Were you or a loved one injured in a slip and fall on a staircase? If so, contact our personal injury attorneys today for more information.

Did you know?
Many public establishments that have carpeted stairwells have metal or plastic strips on the leading edge of the stairs. The main function or purpose of these strips is to lower the amount of wear and tear on the carpet. In other words, these strips are often placed on the carpeted stairs to prolong the life of the carpet, therefore saving the property owner money since the carpet will last much longer. When these strips are not properly installed, inspected, or maintained, an extremely dangerous slip and fall hazard can be present. Hotels, apartment complexes, hospitals, and banquet facilities are some of the many types of establishments that commonly use carpeted stairways, including the use of wear strips.