Can I Sue If I Fell Down a Staircase?

Slipping and falling down a flight of stairs is one of the most common causes of emergency visits and hospital admissions each year. Slip and fall accidents occurring on stairs account for more than twelve thousand deaths annually, with even non-fatal injuries leading to serious physical injuries and prolonged periods of hospitalization. Staircase injuries are even more dangerous as compared to slips and falls that occur on flat surfaces since the uneven nature of stairs makes predicting injury patterns impossible, and even a minor fall can result in lasting neurological consequences.

If you were injured in a staircase slip and fall accident and you do not know the extent of your legal rights, you might be left holding piles of medical bills and hundreds of thousands in incidental damages. Filing a lawsuit against the negligent party responsible for your slip and fall accident can help you recover adequate compensation for your injuries and help deal with the financial setbacks of your unfortunate accident.

Causes of Staircase Slips and Falls

Stairway slip and fall accidents can result from a wide range of unsafe conditions, including uneven height of stairs, dim lighting, liquid spillage, torn carpeting, broken tiles, lack of guardrails, a buildup of ice or snow, tripping hazards, and more. These accidents can be easily prevented with adequate safety precautions and regular maintenance. Most accidents result from explicit violations of building codes, which means that the property owner can be legally held liable for any accidents that result from these safety lapses.

Also, Check – What Happens in a Wrongful Death Claim?

Staircase Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents that occur at staircases can result in a wide range of physical injuries, including mild to moderate bruising, contusions, cuts, scrapes, lacerations, joint sprains, dislocations, bone fractures, concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal organ damage, internal bleeding, and more. These injuries can have lasting consequences for the physical and mental health of an individual and severe injuries can end up incapacitating a person for life and even result in death.

Determining Liability

Most slip and fall accidents occur due to a clear violation of reasonable safety standards at a property. You can seek legal action against a negligent property owner if you believe the accident resulted from a lapse in public safety. To hold a property owner liable in a court of law, you must prove that the party was directly or indirectly responsible for creating hazardous conditions at their establishment and took no action to remediate the breach in the duty of care they owe to their visitors, guests, and patrons.

Conclusion

If you or your loved one slipped and fell down a flight of stairs, you might be able to sue the negligent property owner for recovery of your damages. Sometimes the extent of these injuries is not immediately obvious. which is why it is important to safeguard your legal rights as soon as the accident occurs. A competent personal injury attorney can help pursue legal action against the negligent party so that you might get the compensation you deserve for your damages.