Atlanta Defective Stairway Lawsuits
NOTE: Our law firm does not handle these cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
Stairway accidents can lead to severe injuries and deaths. When a defective stairway causes the accident, the property owner or another party may be responsible for your injuries and damages. However, the insurance company and the property owner may fight the claim and refuse to compensate you for your losses. A law firm will have extensive experience handling premises liability cases in Atlanta, GA, including defective stairway accidents.
Injuries and Deaths Are Common in Defective Stairway Accidents
You probably do not realize how many stairs you climb each year. Most people do not think anything about going up and down stairways at home, work, hotels, apartment buildings, and other locations.
However, accidents on stairways are common. Research found that more than 24 million people were treated at hospitals for injuries caused by stairway accidents over 23 years. The National Safety Council states that about 12,000 people die, and more than one million people are injured each year in stairway accidents.
Common Causes of Stairway Defects
A stairway could be defective because of a design flaw. There could be an error in the construction that causes a hazardous defect. Also, a lack of maintenance could result in dangerous conditions that lead to wrongful death or severe injuries.
Common defects or conditions that could lead to stairway accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Damaged floor coverings, including loose carpeting
- Rotted materials or boards
- Inadequate lighting
- Uneven depths between steps
- Dangerous step heights
- Broken or missing handrails
- Crumbling concrete and loose tiles
- Damaged, faulty, or loose steps
- Insufficient traction because of wear and tear
- Items on the steps or clutter at the top and bottom of the stairs
- Dangerous stair risers and unmarked steps
Determining the cause of the defect is essential. The cause of the defect helps identify the party or parties who might be liable for your injuries.
In many cases, our Atlanta defective stairway accident attorneys consult construction, design, and industry experts. In addition, we may retain experts to inspect the stairway to analyze how the defect occurred and how the defect contributed to your injury.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Stairway Accidents?
A person may sustain numerous injuries in a stairway accident. They may fall a couple of steps or fall from the top of the staircase to the surface below the final step. In some cases, a person may fall off the stairs because of a defective handrail.
Injuries sustained in stairway accidents include:
- Fractured skull and head injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Death
You should seek Immediate medical attention after a stairway accident. You could suffer injuries that might not appear serious at first but quickly escalate into a severe health condition. You also need to document your injuries for a personal injury claim.
Who is Liable for Paying Damages Caused by a Defective Stairway Accident in Atlanta?
Premises liability law holds property owners liable for accidents on their property due to negligence, intentional acts, or other wrongdoing.
Therefore, the property owner may be liable for damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Permanent impairments
- Loss of enjoyment of life
However, other parties may also be liable for a defective stairway accident. Landlords, construction companies, government entities, and business entities may be liable for staircase injuries.
An Atlanta personal injury lawyer investigates to identify all factors that led to your accident. We aim to identify all parties that owe you compensation after the accident.
