Stairwell accidents can arise nearly anywhere a staircase is improperly maintained — including office complexes, apartment buildings, malls, stadiums, parking garages, casinos, and many other places. Stairwell accidents are rarely the victim’s fault and can be particularly dangerous because a person who trips may not be able to catch themselves to stop falling farther down. If you were injured due to defective conditions in a stairwell, you may be entitled to file a personal injury action to recover your damages.
Common Causes of Stairwell Accidents
Stairwell accidents can be severe and are often the result of hidden hazards. If you tripped or slipped and fell in a stairwell, the property owner, landlord, management company, or another responsible party may be held liable if their negligence caused you to suffer an injury. Specifically, negligence can arise if the responsible party knew, or should have known, about a defect and failed to repair it or place a warning sign.
Stairwell accidents can be caused by the following:
- Broken or chipped steps
- Handrail defects
- Rotting wood
- Worn carpet
- Improper lighting
- Riser height differences
- Debris or foreign objects on steps
- Liquid or oil spills on the steps
Regardless of the reason for the accident, a trip or slip and fall in a stairwell can lead to significant injuries. Common stairwell accident injuries can include spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, neck injuries, fractures, internal bleeding, lacerations, sprains and strains, or paralysis. These injuries can be painful and debilitating, and they may require long-term medical care. If you’ve been injured in a stairwell accident due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury action to recover for your monetary losses and pain and pain and suffering.
Suing for a Stairwell Accident
It’s vital to ensure your stairwell accident injury is documented correctly and that you have evidence to support your claim if you plan to bring legal action. After the incident, you should seek medical attention promptly — this is not only important for your health, but it’s crucial to document your injuries to build any personal injury lawsuit you may later pursue. In addition, try to take photos or video of the condition that caused the accident, if possible, and obtain the contact information of any witnesses. You should also report the fall to the property manager or responsible party and obtain a copy of it.
A stairwell accident victim may be eligible to receive a wide range of economic and non-economic damages for their injuries. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to receive compensation for your unreimbursed medical expenses, lost wages, future lost earnings, and out-of-pocket costs. If you can establish that someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you might also be eligible to recover for the pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life you experienced in connection with your injuries.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in a stairwell accident, it’s critical to have an experienced attorney who can fight to obtain the compensation you deserve. The personal injury attorneys at the Dearie Law Firm, P.C. are dedicated to standing up for the rights of accident victims and strive to obtain the maximum compensation to which they are entitled.
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County, Rockland County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Contact us today for a consultation.