Many premises liability claims involve same-level falls. Slip-and-fall incidents can put people in the hospital or force them to take time away from work. An individual loses traction and falls while perusing the aisles in a grocery store, which leads to a broken bone, for example.
However, more serious falls are also a possibility when visiting businesses and other private facilities. Some businesses have stairs inside. Premises liability rules also apply to landlords with multi-story apartment buildings.
The failure to maintain stairways appropriately can be a source of premises liability and could cause a particularly devastating fall for the injured person. Showing that negligence caused an incident can help an injured party seek compensation later.
When is stairway maintenance negligent?
Stairs are inherently dangerous. Therefore, property owners, businesses and landlords should be diligent about keeping them in the safest condition possible. That responsibility generally entails ensuring that the space is clean and well lit.
Ensuring that the stairs themselves are in good condition, with no peeling or broken flooring, is important. Handrails are also crucial for property owners to install and properly maintain.
Visitors may be able to allege negligent maintenance in cases where a handrail is loose or missing, inadequate lighting prevents them from identifying hazards or maintenance of the stairs themselves leads to a preventable fall. If another reasonable person might agree that the property owner was negligent, the injured party may have a viable claim to compensation for their medical expenses and other losses.
People hurt due to unsafe stairways may need help negotiating with insurance carriers or preparing for premises liability litigation and that’s okay. Premises liability insurance carried by property owners, landlords and businesses can cover the losses associated with injuries and property damage after a stairway fall.