Stairs can easily cause accidents, even when they are in good condition and have no defects. If a stairway is poorly built or is in a state of disrepair, it can be very dangerous. Some experts say that there are roughly one million emergency room visits in the U.S. every year due to falls on stairs. Some of the falls are obviously caused by the negligence of the person climbing the stairs, but many other accidents occur because of poor maintenance, slippery surfaces, bad lighting, or similar causes.
Most people do not pay much attention on stairways. Our bodies expect the stairs to be built a certain way, and the body uses a standard stride when walking up and down stairs. If a staircase is poorly built, however, and there are differences in the measurement of the depth of the risers or the width of the stairway, the stairs can be very dangerous. The eye may not perceive the variations, but they can contribute to stairway falls. There are very strict regulations on how stairways are to be constructed, and if there are variations the construction company and/or the building’s owner may be legally responsible.
Another very common cause of stairway falls is slippery surfaces. Falls are more likely to happen if the surface of the stairs is slippery. Poor maintenance can also contribute to stairway falls. If the stairs are not properly maintained, such as with defective railings or loose railings, the owner is responsible for any accidents that occur as a result.
If you have been injured in a fall on the stairs in a public place or on another person’s property in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney at 310-385-0567. My team can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.