Stairway Accidents

Stairways can be dangerous and are the site of many serious slip and fall accidents in Hollywood and other Florida communities each year. Most people don’t think twice about heading up or down stairs, and this lack of attention and focus often leads to falls. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, there are 12,000 stairway accident fatalities across the country each year and over one million injuries, making stairway accidents the second-leading cause of accidental injury. Only motor vehicles cause more unintentional injury.

Stairway accidents are often covered under an area of law known as premises liability. When your injury on a stairway is caused by the property owner’s negligence, you may have a legal claim. To learn more, contact the personal injury attorneys at Flaxman Law Group. Our Southern Florida law firm can help you understand whether you have a civil claim or other legal options.

While some falls on stairwells and staircases occur due to distraction or simply bad luck, many of these accidents are preventable and are caused by negligence. There are many reasons for these accidents, including:

• Poor lighting on stairs
• Lack of overhead space
• Poor design
• Narrow stairs
• Violation of building code standards
• Lack of railings
• Unsafe stair risers
• Poorly maintained stairs
• Broken or uneven stairs
• Debris or obstruction on stairs
• Spills on the stairs
• Not clearing leaves and other natural accumulation on outdoor stairs
• Lack of no-slip treads on steps
• Steps made from a slippery material (such as marble)
• Not providing alternatives (such as ramps or elevators) for those who need them
• Lack of warning signs for any issues that could not be fixed
• Lack of warning signs for single steps

Building codes for stairs are quite strict and the law clearly states that property owners have an obligation to keep their properties (including their stairs) safe for lawful visitors. If you have been injured when walking on outdoor steps or an indoor staircase, you have a right to answers. In some cases, it may be obvious what has caused your fall. In other cases, however, you may need to work with a personal injury attorney and have a thorough investigation launched to determine the cause of your injuries.

Accidents on stairs lead to severe injuries and even fatalities each year. Common injuries include:

• Facial injuries
• Herniated disks
• Broken bones
• Wrist fractures
• Back injuries
• Lacerations
• Broken hips
• Internal injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Head trauma or concussions

Injuries involving stairs tend to be more severe than injuries involving most slip and fall or trip and fall accidents. Unfortunately, on steps the force of gravity is often working against you. In these situations, it is common to fall when descending the stairs, and the force of gravity can pull you down, potentially causing multiple points of impact and severe injury.

If you have been injured on stairs or steps, the attorneys at Flaxman Law Group believe that you should be able to get honest and professional legal advice without cost and without high-pressure sales tactics. It’s why our law firm offers free, no obligation consultations to all new clients. If you have been injured, contact Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or by using our website to set up your free case review. Our law firm has offices in Homestead, Miami, and Hollywood to better serve the entire South Florida area.