Who Is Liable for Staircase Accidents?
Falling down stairs can cause catastrophic injuries and even be fatal. A single fall can bury you in medical debt and even affect your ability to work again. But if a negligent property owner caused your injuries, then you may be able to file a premises liability claim for compensation. A Long Beach premises liability attorney with a strong track record of handling similar cases like yours can help you retrace your steps, gather all necessary evidence to hold an at-fault owner of the premises accountable, and aid you in receiving all personal injury compensation you are entitled to when filing a claim.
Why Do Staircase Accidents Happen?
Over 1 million Americans across the country visit the emergency room for staircase falls every year, making stairs one of the most unsafe areas on a property. Some of the reasons that contribute to these injuries include:
- Weather-related elements like ice, rain, or mud that can increase the likelihood of slips and falls on outdoor stairs
- Uncleaned spills that can be a source of accidents
- Wear and tear from periods of repeated use that can impact structural integrity
- California state, county, and city building code violations governing specific requirements for handrails, stair height and depth, as well as lighting
What Injuries Can Occur from Staircase Accidents?
Stair-related injuries can cause severe damage to the head and neck areas, as well as to the lower parts of the body for people of all ages. They can include life-changing and traumatic injuries, like serious brain injury and spinal cord damage.
The reality is that your slip and fall can forever disrupt your daily routine, especially if:
- You require long-term treatment for your injuries (even for some not immediately known), you could be paying expensive medical bills for a very long time.
- Your injuries prevent you from returning to the job you held to provide for your family, then they will face an uncertain future without the secure income you once earned.
- You are unable to spend time with friends and family like you did before your accident, this can take a toll on you physically and mentally.
- You cannot enjoy your usual hobbies, it will take time and resources to adjust to your new normal.
Holding a Property Owner Accountable for Your Injury
If you can prove negligence on the part of your accident site’s property owner, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. To do this, you must demonstrate that the landlord in your claim had a legal obligation to prevent what happened to you.
If you can show that the owner caused or knew of the staircase’s dangerous conditions (and didn’t take appropriate safety measures), you may have a case that he or she caused your injuries – especially if you can point out relevant building code violations.
You may also be able to prove that the owner should have regularly inspected the property for safety issues, warned guests, and made repairs in a timely manner. Here too, you may be entitled to the full compensation you deserve.
The defendant’s insurance company may try to counter with a claim to show your responsibility in the accident. This is why it is important to gather details after your fall, and contact a California personal injury attorney who knows how state, county, and local city building codes apply to where your accident happened.
Compensation You Can Receive for a Fall
When you prove that the property owner is at-fault in your case, you may be entitled to:
- Medical bills you have now and in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages due to missed time at work
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your current job again
- Additional expenses like travel costs related to injury treatment
If your claim is successful, your compensation will be calculated according to the extent of your injuries. A personal injury attorney can walk you through how this process works.
Why You Should Contact a Long Beach Lawyer Today
If you have been hurt in a recent staircase accident, you will want to call a California slip and fall attorney who will take a detailed look at the circumstances that caused your injuries. At the Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, our founding attorney will sit down with you in a free consultation to review your case and to determine who bears responsibility for what you’ve experienced. He will go to war with the at-fault property owner’s insurance company and will fight any attempt to sell you short on the full compensation you deserve. To discuss your case today, call us at (562) 273-2638 or toll-free at (888) 973-0304.