Syracuse Personal Injury Law Blog
Stairs can become a safety hazard if they are not maintained properly. In fact, most stair related accidents would not happen if not for the carelessness of someone. If you have slipped and hurt yourself on stairs on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our hard-working Syracuse slip and fall attorneys will analyze the facts of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options.
The National Safety Council reports that over 1 million injuries occur every year as the result of stairway falls. In fact, staircase and stairway accidents are the second leading cause of accidental injury, falling behind only motor vehicle accidents. Nearly 100,000 children under the age of 5 suffer stair-related injuries on an annual basis. Dangerous stairway conditions can be the result of common wear and tear, negligent maintenance or even poor maintenance. Common causes of staircase hazards that can lead to accidents causing injury include, but are not limited to:
- Loose or missing handrail,
- Unevenly spaced risers;
- Chipped, worn, cracked, broken or missing steps;
- Poorly lit stairwells;
- Slick or slippery stairs;
- Debris or clutter on stairs;
- Loose or damaged treads, runners or carpeting.
Stairway accidents in New York fall under the legal umbrella of premises liability. Premises liability is a legal concept that comes into play in personal injury cases when the injury was caused by some type of unsafe or defective condition on someone’s property. Building owners have an obligation to keep staircases on their property in safe condition. When a building owner’s carelessness, negligent repair or failure to meet safety regulations is the reason for an unsafe stairway condition that results in a person’s fall, that building owner can be liable for the resulting harm. To sue a building owner for a faulty staircase accident, you must file your claim in a New York civil court.
Victims of stairway accidents may face lifelong disabilities or emotional scarring. Some may never be able to return to their previous jobs, in addition to facing hefty and burdensome medical bills. In the most serious cases, stairway accidents can lead to death. Fortunately, New York law allows victims of such accidents to recover a variety of damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, rehabilitation costs, cost of future care and any other loss arising from the accident. Every case is different to the specific dollar amount an injured party will be entitled to in a particular case will depend on the nature and extent of the harm suffered.
Falls on stairwells are often caused by defects. If you or someone close to you has slipped and injured yourselves on stairs, you need to reach out to a seasoned Syracuse premises liability attorney without delay. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the knowledge and resources to handle even the most complex personal injury claims. We understand that dealing with an injury is incredibly stressful, which is why we will handle your case with the utmost compassion. To speak to us in detail, call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us online.
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