Stair Injuries
Most of us use stairs on a daily basis and think very little about their safety. Stairs make it possible to travel between floors and offer a safe route of escape from high floors in the event of a fire. Because of their height and angle, however, stairs can cause serious injury.
Causes of Stair Falls
Without proper maintenance or safety precautions, stairs can be hazardous. Accidents that occur on stairs may be the result of one of the following:
- Worn out boards
- Insecure railing
- Slick steps
- Bad lighting
- Stairs that are too narrow or steep
Over time these poor conditions may result from general wear and tear, improper maintenance, or poor design. Depending on the cause of the fall, different parties may be liable for the accident.
Stair Accidents and Liability
Typically, stair accident cases fall under the legal umbrella of premises liability. In these cases, the building owner or manager may be held liable. Property owners and managers have a responsibility to keep the property safe for the use of residents, workers, and visitors. Some management companies may try to get away with just meeting the minimum building code regulations to minimize the cost of maintenance. However, even if the stairs meet building codes, they still may not be safe and the management company may still be liable if an injury occurs.
Contact Us
If you have been injured in a stair accident, someone may be responsible and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. To learn more about stair injuries and accident liability, contact experienced Austin personal injury lawyer Vic Feazell today at 877-948-4842.
