Stairs in any type of building, whether it’s commercial or residential, can present serious hazards if they are not well maintained. When a property owner fails to take care of these dangerous conditions and a person is injured, victims may be able to seek justice and compensation through slip and fall lawsuits.
Did you know that slips and falls are the most common workplace injuries? Check out the top 10 slip and fall hazards in the workplace according to OSHA:
Stairway hazards may include:
- Slippery surfaces, including worn carpeting or wood and overly polished surfaces
- Wet or icy stairs outside
- Missing, broken or improperly installed railings
- Uneven stairs
- Improper stair height or depth
When a person is injured and files a slip and fall lawsuit, he or she must prove that the property owner was negligent in caring for the property. While specific state laws vary, the person who was injured will generally have to prove:
- The defendant owned, occupied, or leased the property on which the stairs are located
- The defendant was negligent in the use of the property
- The plaintiff was injured on the property
- The defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in those injuries
Property owners are responsible for keeping their premises reasonably safe for others. This may require regular inspection of the stairs, making necessary repairs, and proving adequate warnings of potential hazards before someone gets hurt.
Contact Anapol Weiss for Assistance
For decades, the slip and fall lawyers at Anapol Weiss have been successfully representing people who were seriously injured on poorly maintained and hazardous premises. If you or a family member suffered a slip and fall injury, we can help. Contact our firm for assistance.
