Slip-and-Fall Accidents on Staircases

Nearly everyone in the United States uses stairs at some point in their day-to-day lives, and slip-and-fall accidents on staircases can occur just about anywhere. While many such falls may simply result in a laugh and perhaps a small bruise, others can be quite dangerous and result in serious injuries. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), as many as one-million Americans per year visit emergency rooms due to falls on staircases, and about 12,000 per year will die resulting from their injuries. Both the risks of falling and sustaining a serious injury are proportionately higher among citizens aged 65 years or older.

While falls on stairs often occur due to simple loss of balance, many also result from dangerous physical conditions on or around the staircase. In these cases, the property owner may be held legally liable for injuries or losses suffered by the victim for failing to properly maintain the staircase. Property owners have a duty of care to inspect and maintain their premises to ensure that all guests and visitors are reasonably safe. Unfortunately, however, they do not always commit the necessary time and effort to address potentially-dangerous conditions until it is too late. Here are some common examples of hazards which may lead to a fall on a staircase:

– Broken/loose railings – Debris or objects on stairs – Weak/cracked stairs – Wet/slippery stairs – Stairs which are too steep or narrow – Lack of railings or guards as required by building codes

If any such or similar conditions contributed to your slip-and-fall accident, you may have a viable claim against the property owner. While most victims of staircase-falls suffer only minor injuries (at worst) and recover with little to no medical intervention, these falls also cause serious injuries which may have long-term implications if not treated properly, such as:

– Back injuries – Broken bones (especially hips among senior citizens) – Internal bleeding/damage to organs – Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) – Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.