Falls Down Stairs Can Lead to Legal Claims

May 1, 2015 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Falls Down Stairs Can Lead to Legal Claims Almost every individual in the United States uses stairs on a regular basis and chances are good that you may slip and fall at some point. The best case scenario is that you simply suffer a bruised ego or embarrassment at your clumsiness after a fall down the stairs. However, many people are not so lucky and suffer extremely serious injuries due to their fall on a staircase. According to statistics published by the National Safety Council (NSC),[1] more than 1 million individuals visit emergency departments each year in the United States due to falls on the stairs. Many of these fall victims suffer serious injury and about 12,000 people die from staircase accidents on an annual basis. The risk of falling and of sustaining serious injuries only increases as an individual ages beyond 65 years. Though some falls on stairs may simply occur because a person loses their balance or footing, a large number may be caused due to dangerous conditions on the staircase. In such situations, the property owner who failed to maintain the staircase may be held accountable for all of the losses suffered by the fall victim. If you have fallen on the stairs, you should never hesitate to discuss a possible legal claim with an experienced Clearwater premises liability attorney. Common hazards on stairways Property owners have the duty to regularly inspect and maintain their premises to make sure that guests and visitors will be reasonably safe. Too often, however, property and business owners do not take the time to adequately repair potentially dangerous conditions until it is too late. Some examples of hazards that may lead to a staircase fall include the following:
  • Loose or broken railings
  • Debris or objects left on the stairs
  • Inadequate lighting in the stairwell
  • Weak, rotten, or cracked stairs
  • Wet or slippery stair surfaces
  • Stairs that are too narrow or steep
  • Not having railings or other guards in line with building codes
If any of the above led to your stairway fall, you may have a viable legal case against the property owner. Injuries from staircase falls Some fall victims do not suffer major injuries and heal relatively quickly with minimal medical treatment or intervention. In such cases, an insurance payout can be sufficient to cover your costs and a legal claim may not be necessary. However, often fall victims suffer severe injuries with long-term effects, including:
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injury (SCI)
  • Broken bones, especially hips for older adults
  • Internal bleeding
  • Internal organ damage
  • Sprains or strains
  • Back injuries
Many of these injuries can have long-lasting symptoms that can have a significant effect on a victim's life for many weeks, months, or even years. Some can leave victims permanently disabled, requiring extensive medical care and possibly unable to return to work or school for a long time, if ever. Anyone who suffers such an injury because a property owner had a dangerous staircase deserves to receive full and just compensation for everything they have lost as a result. Additionally, if you have lost a loved one in a fall on the stairs, you may be able to recover by filing a wrongful death claim under Florida law.[2] Contact the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Clearwater premises liability lawyers Individuals who are injured in accidents that occur on the property of others are often legally entitled to significant financial compensation. Among the kinds of losses that are often compensated in a Florida premises liability case are past, current, and future medical expenses, physical and emotional pain and suffering, lost income, and loss of future earning potential, among others. The premises liability attorneys of the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA are dedicated to helping people who have been injured in preventable accidents get the compensation to which they are entitled. To schedule a free, no obligation case evaluation with one of our lawyers, please call our office today at (727) 451-6900. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33756 727-451-6900 https://www.dolmanlaw.com/premises-liability-lawyer/ References: [1] NSC Regional Conferences [2]https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.16.html

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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